Hurricane Katrina USA

• Cause of the Hurricane

  1. When - 29/8/2005
  2. Where - South East USA
  3. Size - Scale 5 on Saffir-Simpson scale
  4. Wind speeds - 346km/hr
  5. 3-10 m storm surge
• Social effects of Hurricane Katrina

  • Deaths: 1800
  • 300,000 homes destroyed
  • 100 000s more homeless
  • 80% of New Orleans was flooded
  • 3 million without electricity
  • Road & bridge closures
• Economic effects of Hurricane Katrina

  • $150 billion worth of damage
  • Oil wells and pipelines damaged so fuel supply to other industries affected
  • 230 000 jobs lost from damaged businesses
• Environmental effects of Hurricane Katrina

  • Coastal habitats e.g sea turtle breeding beaches damaged
  • Costal conservation areas destroyed
  • Flooding damaged oil refineries in Louisiana caused oil spills
• Individuals responses to Hurricane Katrina

  • 70-80% of New Orleans residents evacuated before hurricane made landfall
  • Local people volunteer for relief effort, distributing food and helping to rebuild homes
• Charities responses to Hurricane Katrina

  • Charities & organisations e.g Red-Cross provide aid, including millions hot meals
• Government responses to Hurricane Katrina

  • Mississippi & Louisiana declare state of emergency
  • Coastguard & emergency services rescue 50 000 people
  • Repaired and improved flood defences $14.5 billion
  • Gvt $16 billion for rebuilding