Essay on Hurricane Katrina Hurricane Katrina Hurricane Katrina Essay example

1. Essay on Hurricane Katrina
Introduction
The initial response or lack thereof, to the widespread disaster in the Gulf Coast, caused by
Hurricane Katrina, demonstrated high levels of incompetence and disorganization by government
officials. Images of desperate individuals awaiting rescue on their rooftops, and masses of people
packed together in deplorable conditions in the Super Dome, circulated the globe. There was no
hiding from the painful reality and the obvious inaction or inability of those responsible to care for
these individual in the wake of this catastrophe. (12, 791)
Although a considerable amount of the blame has been placed at the feet of FEMA, it should be
understood that multiple factors contributed to the situation in New Orleans. Some sections of...show
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As a result, FEMA was unprepared for Hurricane Katrina. After a state of emergency was declared,
FEMA should have responded by working in coordination with state and local authorities to
prepare for this disaster, but they did not. Nobody at FEMA or the DOD ordered essential supplies,
such as food, water and medical supplies, to be deployed to the area. (3, 528)
CONTRIBUTING FACTORS
Disasters are, by their very definition, rare events that overwhelm the capacity of normal public
organizations. (1, 28) The relationship between the cities and county government was considered to
be poor prior to the storm, so too was the relationship between the county and the state. It is believed
that these poor relations contributed to the poor response and recovery efforts. (1, 15)
Many of the obstacles and complications encountered during Hurricane Katrina may have been
avoided if the training exercise labeled "Hurricane Pam" would have been completed in 2004. The
fictional exercise was five–days long, and was intended to help prepare New Orleans for a category
4 hurricane. Over 50 officials from parish, state, volunteer, and federal organizations participated,
unfortunately FEMA caused an early termination of this event by pulling its funding. Consequently,
the communications, evacuation, transportation, and medical care issues were never properly
addressed. The
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2. Hurricane Katrina
Datrel Johnson
Professor Peter Johnson
Geography 101
25 August 2013
Describe Hurricane Katrina Beginning in the 1950s, the United States have witnessed two Category
Five Storms and seven Category Four Storms naming Hurricane Katrina as one of the most deadly
Category Four hurricanes to hit the Gulf Coast. On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina dismantled
several sections of the levee which caused it to collapse. The storm then breeched the New Orleans'
levee system allowing Lake Ponchartrain and the Mississippi River to flow in the heart of the city.
Furthermore, a tremendous amount of damages occurred throughout the coast of Mississippi and
Alabama. The state of Louisiana sustained most of the damages not just from Hurricane...show more
content...
After Hurricane Katrina, ten months later, jobs plummeted to an average loss of 95,000. "During
the month of November 2005, employment had dropped to 105,300 below the previous year's
figure." (Dolfman pg. 7) Furthermore, Hurricane Karina in doubt did cause more damage to the
economy than expected. The hurricane "affected 19% of U.S. oil production." (Dolfman pg. 7)
Hurricane Katrina completely destroyed 113 offshore oil and gas platforms, occurs damages to457
oil and gas pipelines, and spilled as much oil compared to the Exxon Valdez oil disaster. This
devastating event "caused oil prices to increase $3 a barrel," and gas prices sky–rocketed to $5 a
gallon. (Dolfman pg. 7) Lastly, Hurricane Katrina's impact struck Louisiana's sugar industry, totaling
an estimate of $500 million in "annual crop value." (Amadeo) There are two main concepts to
prevent another devastating event as Hurricane Katrina which are plan/prepare and thorough disaster
drills. First and foremost, we cannot prevent nor anticipate disasters; therefore, we shall prepare and
practice for crisis as such. When everyone knows which critical functions are required for restoration
then this could provide a tremendous amount of confidence in life–threatening situations. The very
basic principles of planning we all should be familiar with could save the lives of millions. Next,
conducting thorough disaster drills should always "be
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3. Hurricane Katrina Essay example
Running head: THE KATRINA BREAKDOWN CASE STUDY QUESTIONS
The Katrina Breakdown Case Study Questions ADM 624 Public Governance
11/13/12
The Katrina Breakdown Case Study Questions August 29, 2005 Hurricane Katrina hits the Gulf
Coast of Louisiana. A plan of action was created only hours ahead of time. One can say the
catastrophe of Hurricane Katrina and the poor execution is a lesson learned for all officials who are
the head of Natural Disaster Preparedness. Unfortunately 1200 lives were lost and the deadliest
hurricane to hit the United States in over 75 years. With the state of Louisiana already lying below
sea level and being warned by experts for years, hurricane Katrina is a vas lesson that came with a
deadly...show more content...
Not even having detailed specific amounts of personnel and supplies just a number she pulled out
of her head, (40,000 troops). Governor Blanco said, "We Need Everything You've Got" (Starling,
2010, p. 153). Governor Blanco who had the power to ask earlier when Mayor Nagin was requesting
failed and also failed her city.
CASE STUDY 3.1 QUESTION 2 During a National catastrophe and short amount of time for
properness the federal government should take control regardless of the situation and work with
local officials who would know the area better. When a city declares state of emergency is should
be mandatory that the federal government can now have more power to execute a plan and
available funds to provide. Local city officials should see the federal government not as a threat or
as if they cannot handle the situation but more of an extra relief. Seeing hurricane Katrina was the
biggest hurricane since 1975 everyday planning for this big of a natural disaster is not expected. In
the past ten years it seems more and more natural disasters are taking the lives of thousand and
costing states to fall. With proper technology giving local state officials a better outlook on time and
planning is the first step in saving their communities. Executing and working with federal
government showing them their local plan can give the federal government a better perspective on
the scenario as well. By working together and having boundaries set will only save
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