Katrina: Economic Effects

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Hurricane Katrina: Economical Effects In general, hurricanes cause little economic effects that too in the areas where the hurricanes hit directly. Considering this, hurricane Katrina was different from the prior incidents of hurricanes. According to the Bureau of Economic Crisis (BEA), the overall economic impact of hurricane Katrina was estimated to be about 150 billion dollars, which was the priciest natural disaster in the United States history. The major factors that contributed to such an extensive economic impact were fallouts of oil supply, food export, tourism and other forms of trade and business. The Gulf coast contributed to about 10 percent of the nation's oil supply, which was disturbed due to hurricane Katrina. As a result, oil and gasoline prices were soared high. Luckily, no catastrophic damage was incurred in the oil infrastructure. Hence, the situation was under control within the next 9 months. In addition to disruption in the national economy, a damage to private and public properties also contributed to the overall economical effects of hurricane Katrina. The economy of the country was slow down significantly due to hurricane Katrina. . Hurricane Katrina: Environmental Effects The environmental damages and threats on public health were the longest-lasting effects of hurricane Katrina. The industrial wastes, oil spills, household sewage, toxic chemicals and other hazardous pollutants had swept to the directly hit areas as well as neighboring regions. The contaminated floodwater that overflowed the residential areas caused long-term health effects on humans, animals and other inhabitants of the area. It also resulted in pollution of groundwater reserves, which is a major water source for drinking purposes. Studies revealed that the water samples of floodwater contain high amounts of E. coli bacteria, medical waste, sewage, oil,

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