1.3.14

Tropical Storms Case Study: Katrina

Test yourself

The Effects of Hurricane Katrina

In August 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit the US states of Mississippi and Louisiana. It was the 3rd deadliest hurricane in American history. New Orleans' flood defenses (levees) broke because they were badly designed, flooding the city.

Illustrative background for Primary effectsIllustrative background for Primary effects ?? "content

Primary effects

  • 1,836 people are thought to have died.
  • 154,522 houses were destroyed between 2005 and 2006.
  • The electricity supplies for over 3 million people were cut off. Many people sheltered at the Superdome stadium in New Orleans.
  • 80% of New Orleans was flooded with some parts 4.5 metres underwater.
  • Coastal habitats were damaged and bridges & infrastructure collapsed.
Illustrative background for Secondary effectsIllustrative background for Secondary effects ?? "content

Secondary effects

  • The population of New Orleans fell from 1.386 million to 1.04 million between 2005 and 2006. In 2014, the population was 1.25 million.
  • 2,400 businesses in New Orleans closed down or went bankrupt between 2005 and 2006.
  • Hundreds of thousands became homeless and sewers overflowed and entered water supplies.
  • The estimated total amount of damage was around $125 billion.

The Responses to Hurricane Katrina

The severe effects of Hurricane Katrina were met with both immediate and long-term responses.

Illustrative background for Immediate responsesIllustrative background for Immediate responses ?? "content

Immediate responses

  • 1.7 million people were evacuated from the states of Mississippi and Louisiana before the storm struck.
  • 20-30% of inhabitants were forced to stay in New Orleans and most of these people were the poorest who could not afford to evacuate.
  • Louisiana's National Guard asked for more than 700 buses to evacuate people, however, only 100 buses were sent. States of emergency were declared in Mississippi and Louisiana.
  • More than 35,000 people were rescued by the coastguard in New Orleans.
  • Charities provided food, water, and aid to those affected.
Illustrative background for Long-term responsesIllustrative background for Long-term responses ?? "content

Long-term responses

  • The waters that flooded New Orleans were pumped into Lake Pontchartrain. This took over a month.
  • The US Congress (government) allocated $62bn to be spent in aid helping feed and re-house the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
  • The US federal and state governments have spent $20 billion rebuilding New Orleans' flood defence systems, with levees, gates, pumps and floodwalls.

Jump to other topics

1The Challenge of Natural Hazards

1.1Natural Hazards

1.2Tectonic Hazards

1.3Weather Hazards

1.4Climate Change

2The Living World

3Physical Landscapes in the UK

3.1The UK Physical Landscape

3.2Coastal Landscapes in the UK

3.3River Landscapes in the UK

3.4Glacial Landscapes in the UK

4Urban Issues & Challenges

5The Changing Economic World

6The Challenge of Resource Management

6.1Resource Management

6.2Food

6.3Water

6.4Energy

Go student ad image

Unlock your full potential with GoStudent tutoring

  • Affordable 1:1 tutoring from the comfort of your home

  • Tutors are matched to your specific learning needs

  • 30+ school subjects covered

Book a free trial lesson