Case Study: Hurricane Katrina - Effects
Geography: Cambridge International GCSE (2027 Exams), topic 2.4.6
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.
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.
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.
Test yourself on Case Study: Hurricane Katrina - Effects
What was the name of the hurricane that struck Mississippi and Louisiana in August 2005?