The True Understanding of Hurricane Katrina In the essay, “Hurricane Katrina: Investigating the U.S. Government’s Failed Response” the author, Eliza Hubbard writes about the situations that accrued in Hurricane Katrina, which is one of the most destructive tropical storms ever to hit the United States. It affected many parts of the coastal areas of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama on August 29th, 2005, it affected New Orleans, Louisiana the most by causing the levees, which helped the flow of the river and stop flooding, to collapse. This lead to flooding in the city, where many bodies still lie beneath the dirty waters filled with debris. Hurricane Katrina attacked in two ways, one being the hurricane itself and the other being the flooding throughout New Orleans. The effect of Hurricane Katrina on New Orleans was extremely severe, resulting from one of the most deadly natural disasters in U.S. history.
Hurricane Katrina was one of the strongest storms to hit the United States. The hurricane became the costliest and one of the five most deadliest ever (Brunner). The hurricane whipped its way through Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana where it caused the most damage. Hurricane Katrina began as a tropical depression on August 23, but quickly became a mega hurricane that hit the gulf coast on August 29th 2005. The mega hurricane displaced millions and killed over 1,800 people.
The storm gets bigger as the low pressure sucks in more warm moist air this also causes strong winds. The main impact from the hurricane was the national hurricane centre in Miami lost its radar, ammeter and satellite communications equipment, this reduced the ability to monitor and forecast storm track. A social impact was the loss of homes, 25,000 homes destroyed and 100,000 badly damaged. As wind speed was so high it caused jumbo jets at Miami International Airport to blow of the runways, also at Tamiani airport hangars and light aircraft were destroyed. Although the natural hazard was very destructive only 30 people died, and some of these deaths could have been prevented.
Hurricanes in Florida Hurricanes are one of the biggest threats to Floridians throughout the months of June to November every year. Perhaps they are the most devastating natural disaster affecting the Earth today. They are capable of completely demolishing vast areas, causing trauma in neighborhoods and towns, and even killing people and animals. They also cause damage to the environment and the economy. These tremendous storms bring great harm to buildings and property, therefore costing millions of dollars, and hurting the Florida economy.
Coastal and low-lying escape routes flood 2-4 hours before arrival of the hurricane center. Small craft in unprotected anchorages break moorings. Hurricane Bonnie of 1998 was a Category Two hurricane when it hit the North Carolina coast, while Hurricane Georges of 1998 was a Category Two Hurricane when it hit the Florida Keys and the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Category Three Hurricane: Winds 111-130 mph (96-113 kt or 178-209 km/hr). Storm surge generally 9-12 ft above normal.
Hurricanes range from a category one hurricane all the way to a category five reaching winds up to one hundred seventy miles per hour plus. Unlike hurricanes, tsunamis form from earthquakes that form a sudden displacement on the seafloor. Volcanic eruptions, landslides, underwater explosions, and meteorite impacts can also generate tsunamis. The most dramatic contrast between hurricanes and tsunamis is the death toll. Many people lose their lives because of hurricanes and tsunamis, which is a tragedy and disaster.
Hurricane Katrina Axial College Material Week Six COM/150 EFFECTIVE ESSAY WRITING Week 6 The effects of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans have been long-lasting and a disaster for all families in the state of Louisiana. “Hurricane Katrina was one of the strongest storms to impact the coast of the United States during the last 100 years.” It is the third most powerful hurricane to make landfall in the United States. The duration of the storm was from August 23 through August 31, 2005. The storm had a short period of time but its damages were so tragic that left long term damages. Many living in the city fled prior to the storm, but many believed the reminiscences of the storm wouldn’t be as bad as they thought and they stayed.
Hurricane Sandy destroyed millions of homes, brought a bunch of sand onto the roads, and killed 209 people. Sandy caused $52.4 billion in damages. Another hurricane that has hit the US is Hurricane Katrina. Hurricane Katrina caused subsequent floods and caused $81 billion in damaged. Katrina also killed at least 1,833 people in the time that it took to cross most of eastern North America.
Recently, more people have died as a result of inland flooding than any other hazard associated with hurricanes or tropical storms. Rainfall exceeding 15 inches can be expected during hurricanes and tropical storms. Flooding is the leading cause of damage to homes in the United States. Flooding associated with hurricanes and tropical storms can be felt for hundreds of miles inland. 2) How do storm surges increase the likelihood of coastal flooding during a hurricane?
When the storm struck New Orleans and the levees failed, the low-lying lands flooded at record levels. As only a category 3 storm, Hurricane Katrina could have caused much less damage then it did if the levees held. The reason for the levee failure was due to an engineering fault, leaving the levees prone to malfunction. Tens of thousands of victims were either forced from their homes due to the flooding, or lost their lives trying to ride out the storm. The impoverished areas of New Orleans suffered the greatest losses because the houses were poorly built and many people were not educated on the danger of the coming storm.