CS: Hurricane Katrina

BACKGROUND INFORMATION -

Mara Alejandra Piazzolla Ramrez

On average 3 or 4 major storms batter the coast of the Gulf of Mexico Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas are the most affected areas The 2005 hurricane season broke all records: 15 hurricanes in the Atlantic region first year in which there were more than one category 5 hurricanes in a single season.

HURRICANE KATRINA Wind speeds of 281kmh-1 Central pressure of 902mb Storm surge of 8-9m (most of New Orleans avg. 2m below sea level) Katrina breached four levees, overtopping several others and causing disastrous floods. 9.5 million people live in coastal countries along the Gulf of Mexico between Louisiana and Florida. Including several metropolitan areas: Tampa, New Orleans, Mobile Population densities in coastal districts are more than twice the US average Flooding were made worst by the loss of wetlands in the Mississippi delta wetlands provide a valuable flood protection service, storing surplus water and absorbing the impact of storm surges. IMPACTS 29th of august 2005 3rd most intense hurricane to make landfall into the USA It killed 1353 people 270 000 homes were damaged or destroyed 80% of New Orleans was flooded by storm surge, with water up to 6m deep. Economic losses exceeded US$300 billion 230 000 jobs were lost due to damage to businesses and infrastructure (i.e. major highways) 30 production platforms damaged/ 9 oil refineries shut down Oil and gas production in the gulf was highly disrupted. 1 million people moved to other parts of the USA following the hurricane The number of patients treated rose by 84% as many people were injured

SHORT TERM MITIGATION Before Katrina made landfall the National Weather Service issued hurricane watches and warnings with an 8-hour lead-time. Forecasts of the location and time of arrival were accurate. NWS assisted one of the largest evacuations in the US history The citys Superdome sports arena and conference centre were designated refugees of last resort for the last 150 000 people unable to flee the city 80% of the people at risk were successfully evacuated

LONG TERM MITIGATION 560km levee systems only designed for category 3 hurricanes Mississippi river gulf outlet (200m wide canal) acted as a funnel for the storm surge, increasing its height about 20% and doubling its speed. Multi billion dollar scheme launched to strengthen the flood defences Pumping station are also being built to remove flood water from the city

3/5/2012 1:09:00 PM

3/5/2012 1:09:00 PM