Case study-Hurricane Katrina

• What are the characteristics of tropical storms?

  Strong winds and torrential rain
• How do tropical storms form?

  Over tropical seas with warm, moist air
• Why do tropical storms lose strength over land?

  Energy source (warm water) is cut off
• What monitoring system does the USA use for hurricanes?

  Sophisticated satellite tracking system
• What percentage of people were evacuated before hurricanes hit?

  80%
• Which states declared emergencies during Hurricane Katrina?

  Mississippi and Louisiana
• What services helped rescue people during Hurricane Katrina?

  Coastguard, police, fire services, and army
• What was Hurricane Katrina's category?

  Category 4 storm
• How high did storm surges reach during Hurricane Katrina?

  Over 6 metres
• Why was New Orleans particularly affected by Hurricane Katrina?

  It lies below sea level and has levees
• Where did people seek refuge during Hurricane Katrina?

  In the Superdome stadium
• What were the conditions like in the Superdome during Hurricane Katrina?

  Unhygienic with food and water shortages
• How much aid did the government provide after Hurricane Katrina?

  $50 billion
• How did the USA government respond to Hurricane Katrina compared to Burma?

  Response was better than in Burma
• What accusations were made regarding the government's response to Hurricane Katrina?

  They didn't care about poor black people
• What happened to the flood defenses in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina?

  They failed and increased damage
• When did Hurricane Katrina hit the South East USA?

  29th August 2005
• What was the total cost of Hurricane Katrina?

  $300 billion
• How many people were killed as a primary impact of Hurricane Katrina?

  1800 people
• How many homes were destroyed during Hurricane Katrina?

  300,000 homes
• What was a secondary impact of Hurricane Katrina regarding jobs?

  230,000 jobs were lost
• What happened to water supplies after Hurricane Katrina?

  They were polluted with sewage and chemicals
• How did Hurricane Katrina affect petrol prices in the UK and USA?

  Petrol prices rose due to oil facility damage
• What are the primary and secondary impacts of Hurricane Katrina?

  Primary impacts:

  • 1800 killed
  • 300,000 homes destroyed
  • 3 million without electricity
  • Bridges collapsed

  
  

  Secondary impacts:

  • Tens of thousands homeless
  • 230,000 jobs lost
  • Water supplies polluted
  • Oil facilities damaged
• What were the social, economic, and environmental impacts of Hurricane Katrina?

  Social impacts:

  • 1800 killed
  • Mental trauma for survivors

  
  

  Economic impacts:

  • 230,000 jobs lost
  • $300 billion cost

  
  

  Environmental impacts:

  • Coastal habitats destroyed
  • Pollution of water supplies