...Devastated, confused, panicked, outraged, and frightened. Undoubtedly, these words describe just a handful of emotions experienced by the victims of Hurricane Katrina during and in the days following its horrific landfall on the cities of Louisiana, Mississippi, and their neighboring states. Although not often viewed as such, authorities in positions slated to respond to the disastrous effects Katrina were a second type of victim of the hurricane. They were victims in authoritative positions who experienced the same feelings of dread and fear only to have it compounded by the knowledge that they were responsible to react and respond to the dread and fear of the masses. Using principles of critical thinking to describe how I would imagine being an authority figure expected to respond to the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina is a daunting task. For my opinions and thoughts to not be considered as “biased, distorted, partial, uninformed, or downright prejudiced” (Our Concept), thinking, especially when much of the reference material provided for the writing assignment could be interpreted as such, is challenging. It is understandable, however, how that type of thinking played out during the storm and its aftermath; how the actions of those in authority in the spur of the moment affected the overall outcome of the disaster because of the sheer enormity of it all. Clearly, had they had the luxury of time to think by “skillfully analyzing, assessing, and reconstructing”...
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...Evacuations and Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina . On September 1, 2005, with only twelve hours’ notice, various colleagues established a medical facility—the Katrina Clinic—at the Astrodome/Reliant Center Complex in Houston. By the time the resource facility closed about two weeks later, the Katrina Clinic medical staff had seen over 11,000 of the estimated 27,000 Hurricane Katrina evacuees who sought shelter in the Complex. Herein, we designate the scope of this medical response, citing our major challenges, triumphs, and recommendations for conducting similar efforts in the future. The majority of patients who required more critical care, including hospital admission, were referred for further evaluation to publicly funded hospitals within the Harris County Hospital District, specifically, Ben Taub General Hospital and Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital several times a day to reassess operations and accommodate the fluid situation. As we seek lessons from the evacuation of Hurricane Katrina, it is imperative that communications and disaster plans account for the specific obstacles run into by urban, minority communities. There work provides an opportunity to listen to the voices of the evacuees themselves. These voices lead us to believe that removing the obstacles of shelter and transportation will be insufficient to ensure safety in future disasters. Policies must additionally address the important influence of extended families and social networks through better community-based...
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...morning, 29 August 2005, this is a day most New Orleans residents will never forget. This was the day a category 5 hurricane named Katrina made its catastrophic debut to the Gulf Coast region and killed over 1,300 people. (The White House, 2006, p. 1) After it was all said and done, the nation was shocked at the events that unfolded in Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi and people were left wondering, “What went wrong?” National Geographic reported that the storm originated about a week earlier, 23 August, in the Caribbean and worked its up from the Bahamas making landfall Thursday, 25 August, in Miami. Winds at this time were 75-80 mph making it a category 1 hurricane causing some tree damage and killing two people. (Drye, 2005) The storm lost strength for a little while but once it hit the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, it rapidly gained momentum and before long reached wind speeds up to 175 mph making it a category 5 hurricane. On Sunday, 28 August, New Orleans mayor, Ray Nagin, issued a mandatory evacuation order. Roughly 24 hrs later, the full strength of Katrina slammed into New Orleans and Biloxi. (Drye, 2005) Local and state emergency managers are responsible for coming up with a plan of action for different hazardous situations. Once a situation gets overwhelming for those levels of management, federal assistance is then requested. Prior to Hurricane Katrina’s arrival, various local emergency management agencies (LEMAs), such as local fire, police, and emergency...
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...When the Levees Broke, the lock holding back the truth about racism in America broke and left many questioning their status: human or animal. The four-part documentary captures the struggles of mostly black citizens in New Orleans after hurricane Katrina hit. One of the most noticeable differences between Katrina’s black and white victims is that the white citizens were able to escape or ended up better off than their black counterparts in general. For example, a white woman and a white boy with his family were filmed having a trailer given to them by Fema. None of the black citizens of New Orleans were shown to live in a trailer or have anything close to it. The main question that should be asked here is “Why did every black citizen questioned...
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...Running head: THE HURRICANE KATRINA AND THE BP OIL SPILL 1 THE HURRICANE KATRINA AND THE BP OIL SPILL 6 The Hurricane Katrina and the BP Oil Spill Hieu Le Columbia Southern University The Hurricane Katrina and the BP Oil Spill The 2005 Hurricane Katrina is one of the worst natural disasters in the United States history. This hurricane killed 1836 people in Louisiana, Mississippi, and other nearby states, and deleted hundred billion dollars in wealth. Several people were losing their homes, businesses and they had to live in poor conditions, such as, without water, foods, and lack of shelters. Although the Bush administration had been reaching out to help civilians by sending medical staffs, authorities, and other legal officers to help the hurricane victims, critics had argued that the government reacted slow, little, and too late which could be been taking their actions much faster and better supports. The primary reasons many critics argue that local, and federal governments did not react fast enough to rescue Hurricane victims, who had been suffering in this hurricane. Media suggest...
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...piece is over poverty and what came from Hurricane Katrina and the aftermath for the people. He also discusses what other events in history have contributed to poverty, and how nothing is being done about it by the government. He begins in part 1 using pathos, “ There they were on our television screens, the storm’s most desperate victims- disproportionately poor and black, wading through muddy water, carrying children and plastic bags containing a few meager possessions.” This was his view of the people that were left in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. In part 6 of his work, “But there is no crescendo of national public opinion about the presence of millions of poor people in our midst, and President Bush has not announced the creation of a national task force to combat poverty.” This part to me shows that he is not happy with what President Bush has not done for the people that are battling poverty. Part 9, “Poverty, however, is not a technical issue, but a deep, structural problem that implicates our values, our economic institutions, and our conception of the proper role of the state.” This shows his views on what poverty is. This author uses logos starting in part 3 “While taxes were cut, public infrastructure-like the levees- was eroding, and an already frayed safety net was disintegrating.” The author is using the taxes being cut as his appeal to get his point across about the way things were being done, before Hurricane Katrina. These are things that could have been...
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...By: Miralem Smajic October 2, 2011 Political Science 3000 Professor: David G. Houghton In the milestone event of hurricane Katrina’s devastating destruction in 2005, the recovery process has had major impacts on the people in the Gulf of Mexico. Throughout the incident of Katrina, many organizations have helped contribute and donate their effort for the people of Louisiana and other states that have been affected by Katrina. Although years have passed since Katrina occurred, Red Cross for instance has raised the most for the beneficiary victims of Katrina. Donations throughout the United States such as: Red Cross, The Salvation Army, Joan B. Kroc, The American Cancer Society, and many other contributors raised funds for the victims of Katrina. The contributors statistics show that “The Red Cross moved up two spots to No. 2, rising nearly $3-billion,” Chronicle of Philanthropy. 20.2 (Nov. 1, 2007) while “The Salvation Army fell to No. 3, raising $1.6-billion” Chronicle of Philanthropy. 20.2 (Nov. 1, 2007) in the effort to provide outstanding amount of contribute to the people of Katrina’s destruction. Many who have lost their businesses and other data in the computing related plans by which the “Information Technology (IT) Disaster Recovery plan (DRP) to help protect their business data so as to ensure their survival,” (Academy of Strategic Management Journal. 10.2 (July 2011): p127) provides people who own businesses a safer straightforward plan to protect their...
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...Popul Res Policy Rev (2010) 29:127–141 DOI 10.1007/s11113-009-9133-x The Role of Community in Disaster Response: Conceptual Models Olivia Patterson • Frederick Weil • Kavita Patel Received: 1 May 2007 / Accepted: 15 October 2008 / Published online: 5 November 2009 Ó Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2009 Abstract We focus on the role that community plays in the continuum of disaster preparedness, response and recovery, and we explore where community fits in conceptual frameworks concerning disaster decision-making. We offer an overview of models developed in the literature as well as insights drawn from research related to Hurricane Katrina. Each model illustrates some aspect of the spectrum of disaster preparedness and recovery, beginning with risk perception and vulnerability assessments, and proceeding to notions of resiliency and capacity building. Concepts like social resilience are related to theories of ‘‘social capital,’’ which stress the importance of social networks, reciprocity, and interpersonal trust. These allow individuals and groups to accomplish greater things than they could by their isolated efforts. We trace two contrasting notions of community to Tocqueville. On the one hand, community is simply an aggregation of individual persons, that is, a population. As individuals, they have only limited capacity to act effectively or make decisions for themselves, and they are strongly subject to administrative decisions that authorities impose on them....
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...out of their way to help one another. Anyone and everyone who was in need of help received it; even people who suffered and lost family or homes from these disasters went out of their way to help others. Cultural conformity and unity are trademarks of the Japanese culture compared to American culture. Mahr’s words told the story of the Japanese people and how, even after the worst natural disaster, they can be caring and think about people within their community and helping others instead of themselves. There was another such disaster that affected the United States, Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans and the surrounding area. The response reported in the news was unlike the response in Japan. Reports of racial segregation and class subjugation regarding aid and shelter were prevalent. Racial and economic disunity hindered aid and relief work for many victims during and after Hurricane Katrina. According to Mahr, Japanese culture is not based on individual rights; it is based on the honor of the family and the honor of the group. The education system is uniform...
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...Covering Katrina “Let people know the facts and the country will be safe” - Abraham Lincoln. Hurricane Katrina was one of the worst natural and subsequently man-made disasters of the year 2005 Katrina and its aftermath has gone down in history as one of the governments worst response to a domestic emergency. As a way of giving understanding to the search and rescue aspect of Katrina, The Times- Picayune printed a guide to the spray painted markings on people’s homes. Each aspect of the X marking had a meaning. The top numbers represents the date that that home was searched, the left is for who searched it, the right is a warning or potential gas leaks or drowned wires, and the bottom represents the body count. This has to be the most gruesome part of the guide itself. It was a reminder that lives were lost due to the storm, human error, and plain neglect. The rescue markings are a haunting reminder of the wrath of Katrina. Journalist Chris Rose said at a elegy, “Who grieved over 1 dead in attic and who buried 1 dead in attic?” at a elegy. This sort of coverage changes the averages Americans mindset from one of apathy to one of empathy. It make you not think of the lost as nameless and faceless people, but instead of as some ones sister, brother or friend. One part of the exhibit that stuck out to me the most was the plywood from the Oriental Rugs store in New Orleans. The wooden board read “you know what it means to miss New Orleans y’all come back 4 carnival. I have...
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...A plethora of natural disasters have occurred in the past twenty years, but very few compare to the social and economic impact Hurricane Katrina had on the Gulf Coast. Hurricane Katrina formed on August 23, 2005 over the Gulf of Mexico and strengthened to a category five hurricane. The places that were affected by this hurricane ranged from the Bahamas, Louisiana, Alabama, and other parts of the southeastern region of North America. The estimated count of fatalities was about 1,800 and more than seventy percent of the fatalities occurred in Louisiana. Prior to landfall, the hurricane had decreased to a category three hurricane, which caused some people to underestimate the strength and effect that the hurricane could inflict. More specifically, Hurricane Katrina reached high winds of up to 175 miles per hour and moved cars and boats from the coast about seven to ten miles inland. As most cities and states caught wind of the news from the National Weather Services, several mandatory evacuation protocols were placed into effect for the first time ever. Hurricane Katrina affected the United States politically, economically, and socially due to the ill advised decision making and faults within local...
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...The film, “Hurricane on the Bayou,” presents the environmental impact of the wetlands in New Orleans, and events that contributed to the catastrophic effect of Hurricane Katrina. Moreover, the film describes the aftermath effects and possible considerations that may help prevent future catastrophes. The modernization and infrastructure of New Orleans weakened the surrounding ecosystem and removed any natural resilience against hurricanes. Wetlands act as a natural buffer that reduces the intensity of a hurricane. For every one mile of wetland, there is a reduction in hurricane height by one foot. Although minor, it mitigates a portion of the damage caused by hurricanes. Prior to any society, New Orleans had a wetland that spanned the size of Delaware. Through engineering design and urbanization, the wetlands slowly erode away over the course of several decades. For example, levies were installed to prevent the constant floods that the towns would undergo. Consequently, the installation of these levies caused the wetland grass to dry and soil to falter. Thus, it decreased the amount of wetlands available. After Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans and demolished anything in its path including the levies, the city started to rebuild itself. It is important for any engineer to consider the ecological impact implementing a system or design. New engineering designs and systems that consider the harmful effects on the environment not only help rebuild the city, but also start to...
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...9 RUNNING HEAD: LEADERSHIP FAILURES DURING KATRINA Leadership Failures of Hurricane Katrina Mark L. Perkins Webster University MNGT 6000 Professor Lee Trovas February27th2014 Abstract Hurricane Katrina was one of the most devastating natural disasters in recent history, not only because of the severity of the storm, which couldn’t be prevented, but due to poor planning and the years it took to rebuild and allow the people of New Orleans to move on with their lives.Hurricane Katrina happened four (4) years after the September 11th terrorist attacks and three (3) years after the creation of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and one (1) year after the DHS had created a National Response Plan. With the world watching the Federal Government failed the people of New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina. The government failed to show initiative and the ability to provide for the basic needs for the people of New Orleans on many levels, including planning, logistics and communication during the natural disaster and the aftermath of the storm. . Introduction I’m going to discuss several failures of leadership and not just on the federal government but on the city and state as well. There are too many to fault that are identified later in this disaster ranging from pre-planning,...
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...Hurricane Katrina is one of the worst natural disasters in the history of the United States of America. It took thousands lives of citizens of New Orleans, left them without homes and families, and changed their lives forever. Many of those who survived the hurricane died waiting for help to come. Hurricane Katrina exposed the existence of ''two Americas''. It took government several days to get help to the victims of Katrina in New Orleans. After watching Spike Lee's documentary ''When The Levees Broke'' I learned that the Government doesn't care about its citizens. After Hurricane Katrina, the Federal Emergency Management Agency failed to do what it was created to do - provide immediate relief to the victims of the disasters. People were waiting for help for days, suffering from the heat, lack of food and drinking water and watching their loved ones die without medical help. Those who were tired to wait for the rescue buses and started to walk toward the Gretna bridge were turn around at the gun point. They were not allowed in, like they were citizens of another country- refugees, and thats how the media called people of New Orleans. The disaster of Hurricane Katrina could've been avoided if the levees that protect city would have been designed and built properly. I believe that Federal Government and other officials were aware of the situation for a very long time and still did nothing to protect the people of New Orleans. Most of the citizens of...
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...to or participating in such volunteered practice events really doesn’t understand the time and effort it takes when a large incident takes place. Sadly during August 2005 there were four states hit by severe weather storm causing great tragedy. Due to the incidents that took place there were multiple agencies working around the clock across the states to save everyone they could, unfortunately not everyone was saved but there was an extreme effort to do so. Hurricane Katrina is now the eleventh named storm and fifth hurricane during the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season. Today Katrina is known as the costliest natural disaster, and one of the five deadliest hurricanes known in the history of the United States. August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast of the United States. This storm was given a Category 3 rating on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale due to the fact that it brought sustained winds of 100–140 miles per hour and stretched over 400 miles. This storm did a great deal of damage, but its aftermath was so catastrophic that it went down in history and is still known today which leaves many with a heavy heart. During this time there was massive flooding, and sadly people felt as though the federal government was to slow to meet the needs of the people who were affected by the storm. According to record hundreds of thousands of people in Louisiana, Mississippi and...
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