Case Study: Katrina
Geography: Edexcel IGCSE, topic 1.3.8
Preparing for Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina was a category 3 hurricane that struck Mississippi and Louisiana in the USA (a developed country) on 29th August 2005. New Orleans suffering particularly badly because its flood defences (levees) broke.
Weather forecasting in the USA
- Florida's National Hurricane Centre monitors potential hurricanes and tropical storms using satellite imagery and weather planes.
- The USA's high income allows it to spend more money on forecasting and prevention measures.
Flood defences
- Although the USA is a high income nation, New Orleans suffered particularly badly because its flood defences broke. Poor engineering meant that the levees did not do their job and 80% of New Orleans was underwater.
Impacts on the environment
- Sewage entered New Orleans' water supply.
- Flooding in Louisiana damaged oil refineries resulting in large oil spills.
- Conservation areas near the coast were flooded and destroyed.
Test yourself on Case Study: Katrina
What was the name of the hurricane that struck Mississippi and Louisiana in August 2005?
What were the environmental impacts of Hurricane Katrina?