5. Warnings and Notices
Hurricane Katrina
NOAA-16 satellite image
3:11 p.m. CDT
August 28, 2005
- Automation / Compatibilty
- SLOSH Server
- Communications
- Automated Flood Warning System
6. Evacuation Methods & Procedures
The Post Katrina Act
New Evacuation Plan
State Homeland Security Grant
Program (SHSGP)
Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI)
7. Pets Evacuation & Transportation Standards Act
FEMA to provide assistance
Animal Care
Rescue
Shelter
8. Security
May 2013
FEMA updated the NRF
New Response Core Capabilities
National Response Goal
14 Core Capabilities & Critical Tasks
Law enforcement protecting communities
9. USACE Actions Regarding Levee Systems
(HSDRRS)
Hurricane & Storm Damage Risk Reduction System
Levees & Flood Walls
350 miles
Replacement, improvements, & increased pumping stations
Hello.
This is the project for Alpha Group 1. The group members include Cassie Briggs, Jack Brooks, Kristen Duke, and Jeff Hanson. This presentation utilizes animations and transitions.
Enjoy the presentation.
ALPHA GROUP 1 POWERPOINT PRESENTATION
HLS-465
MODERN NATURAL DISASTERS
OCTOBER 12, 2015
Hurricane Katrina
The storm that inspired change
New Orleans, Louisiana
Objective: To address the changes that have taken place since Hurricane Katrina struck the New Orleans region in August 2005.
Warnings and Notices (Jack Brooks)
Education Methods & Procedures (Jack Brooks)
Security (Jeff Hanson)
USACE actions regarding levee systems (Jeff Hanson)
Changes, if any, to coastal building codes (Cassie Briggs)
Changes to communications infrastructure (Cassie Briggs)
Actions taken to restore public education facilities and systems (Kristen Duke)
Local Government/State Government/FEMA plans for coordination of resources (Kristen Duke)
For the most part Warning and Notice systems that supported Hurricane Katrina were very effective. Key agencies involved were. Centers for Environmental Prediction, FEMA, National Weather Service, National Hurricane Center, River Forecast Centers, Hurricane Liaison Team,
The following areas have since incorporated changes to provide for better operations in future instances.
Warning and Notices for Hurricane Katrina as a whole were pretty effective throughout the three stages of before, during and after the incident occurred. Some of the key agencies involved in the warning and reporting are: Centers for Environmental Prediction, FEMA, The National Weather Service, The National Hurricane Center, River Forecast Centers and Hurricane Liaison Team(s)
Following the event, a comprehensive After Action Review was conducted to determine the key areas where they could improve the warning, reporting and notification, and here are some of the key areas, which I will provide a brief overview.
Automation / Compatibility. In times of natural disasters and loss of power, automation typically does go down. The key issues for Katrina were involving product sharing of information and the databases and analysis tools being utilized could not be used by other agencies.
The SLOSH Server updates to internal servers in the NWS not being able to be shared with supporting agencies. This issue has since been resolved as now information will be pushed out to supporting agencies to notify them that SLOSH updates have been added to the server for them to access and view.
Communications were relied heavily upon by the use of Cell phones. There were few agencies with the Sattelite Phone capability. Since Katrina, agencies have procured Satellite phones to have more effective and less delayed communications
Reference
Louisiana: Department of Transportation and Development. (n.d.). Southeast
Louisiana evacuation plan. [Online Image]. Retrieved on October 16,
2015, from http://wwwsp.dotd.la.gov/Inside_LaDOTD/Divisions/
Operations/Emergency_Operations/
Maps/Southeast%20EvacuationContraFlow%20Map.pdf
The Post Katrina Act:
There are two key things that I want to mention regarding the Changes that came about following Hurricane Katrina with respect to Evacuation Methods and Procedures;
The Post Katrina Act allows for the following:
Identified a new Evacuation Plan with identified Routes. This Plan is executed on an annual basis and provides evacuation routes to the North, East and West out of New Orleans in the event of a Natural Disaster
Funding is provided through State Homeland Security Grant Program and Urban Area Security Initiative and outlines funding for evacuation plans, training, preparations for evacuations and execution of evacuation plans.
References
Louisiana: Department of Transportation and Development. (n.d.). Southeast
Louisiana evacuation plan. [Online Image]. Retrieved on October 16,
2015, from http://wwwsp.dotd.la.gov/Inside_LaDOTD/Divisions/
Operations/Emergency_Operations/
Maps/Southeast%20EvacuationContraFlow%20Map.pdf
Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act of 2006
Identifies FEMA as the authority to provide assistance for:
Care
Rescue
Sheltering and providing basic life sustaining needs
Following Katrine there were at least 250,000 cats and dogs displaced, many of which dies and some were never reunited with their families and loved ones. This cause extensive psychological issues and trauma for people knowing that had to leave their pets and that it was unlikely they would see their pets again.
The Pets Evacuation and Transportation Act helps to establish assistance for families that need assistance with the support, care, rescue and basic care needs for their families. FEMA is the Authority agency for support and since 2006 their have been buildings established that are deemed safe for animals in the event of Natural Disaster occurrences which present the need for evacuation.
Reference
Bershadker, M. (2015, August 27). The lessons in hurricane Katrina’s legacy.
[Online Image]. Retrieved from https://www.aspca.org/blog/lessons-
hurricane-katrinas- legacy%20%20%20http://www.aspcapro.org/resource/
disaster-cruelty-disaster-response/what-pets-act
Security:
Security issues became major concern during chaotic and confusing evacuation processes, with minimal organization.
Survivors not evacuated took to looting and theft for items of need (food, clothing, shelter).
New Orleans PD manpower and capabilities affected by personnel dealing with own personal issues due to hurricane.
The events that transpired in the days following the weather event, indicated to officials that the current security system needed to be changed. The response came in May of 2013, when the Federal Emergency Management Agency known as FEMA, updated the National Response Framework (NRF).
On-scene Security and Protection one of 14 Core Capabilities and Critical Tasks.
Objective is to ensure safe and secure environment through law enforcement and related security protection operations.
Reference:
USACE. (2015, June). Greater New Orleans Hurricane and Storm Damage Risk
Reduction System – Facts and Figures. Retrieved
on October 11, 2015 from www.mvn.usace.army.mil/Portals/56/docs/HSDRRS/
USACE_TFH FF Brochure June 2015 Final.pdf.
United States Corps of Engineers: Actions Regarding Levee Systems:
U.S. Congress authorized and funded USACE to design and construct the Greater New Orleans Hurricane and Storm Damage Risk Reduction System (HSDRRS)
HSDRRS consists of 350 miles of levees and flood walls in interior and perimeter systems, along with improvements to gated structures and pump stations
HSDRRS includes world’s largest surge barrier in the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal Surge Barrier - 1.8 miles long and 26 feet high
HSDRRS includes world’s largest drainage pump station at the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway – West Closure Complex
Reference:
USACE. (2015, June). Greater New Orleans Hurricane and Storm Damage
Risk Reduction System – Facts and Figures. Retrieved on October 11,
2015 from www.mvn.usace.army.mil/Portals/56/docs/
HSDRRS/USACE_TFH FF Brochure June 2015 Final.pdf.
Greater New Orleans: Hurricane and Storm Damage Risk Reduction System (HSDRRS):
This is a slide that shows all of the systems that help make up the Greater New Orleans hurricane and storm damage risk reduction system.
Reference
United States Army Corps of Engineers (2015, June). Greater New Orleans Hurricane and Storm
Damage Risk Reduction System - Facts and Figures. Retrieved on October 10, 2015, from
http://www.mvn.usace.army.mil/Portals/56/docs/environmental/
NGO%20Partnership%20Meetings/HSDRRSMitigationNGO11-
13-2013FINAL.pdf
Changes to Coastal Building Codes:
Here is an image of the 100-year storm’s property damage by sub basin. If you look carefully at it you can see the different areas that were inundated by floodwater. New building codes went into effect after the Hurricanes Katrina and Rita impacted the area back to back. The community, already battered from Katrina. Was hit hard a second time in less than one month. Many residents throughout the area lost everything. Some didn’t return home to see the devastation. It was too traumatic for those who loved their community. Others did return to rebuild. They were met with stringent codes. One code requires new construction and restoration projects to comply with city ordinances. They include: obtaining a building permit, hiring a certified engineer or designer, complying to code, building flood proof walls, and raising the foundation to a level higher than floodwaters are expected to reach. This could include building a house on stilts or raised platform. Houses had to be anchored down and protected so that in the event that rising water were to out added pressure on the outside of the homes, they would be able to allow water to travel freely through the residence without knocking the home off of the foundation.
Coastal requirements were also changed. Homeowners that wished to build a home for the first time could NOT do so in low-laying flood prone areas. Those who had owned existing structures could return. However, if they opted to restore their home, they too would face stringent building codes. Many of which were very similar to the codes for the inner part of the city. However, they had to ensure that walls placed on the bottom level were to be “break away walls.” This would help to ensure that storm surge or wind would not push water up at the house and wash it away.
The downturn to building codes is the added cost that some residents just didn’t have and therefore, were unable to return home to their beloved community. The building codes also apply to non-residential construction. Hopefully, one day they will include green spaces and create a more modern feel to help lift the communities’ spirit.
Reference
Communication Plan. (2010, June 17). Crisis communication plan hurricane Katrina.
[Online Image]. Retrieved on October 16, 2015, from
http://communicationplanstoday.blogspot.com/2010/06/crisis-
communication-plan-hurricane_17.html
The Parks of Plaquemines. (n.d.). Why plaquemines parish? [Online Image].
Retrieved on October 16, 2015, from http://www.theparkslifestyle.com/
wp-content/uploads/Hurricane-Estimate-Damage-Map.pdf
Changes to communications infrastructure:
The communications infrastructure failed when emergency managers and first responders needed it most. The belief that things would be okay had gone too far. That point was evident when local officials had a year to plan for an event they were warned was going to happen, but failed to take action anyway. When the event was finally on their doorstep and rain was inundating the levees, it was then that they realized they were in for a nightmare. Once the power could not be maintained and all communications were lost, federal and state government officials realized that even if the hurricane ended, the troubles they would be facing would not just go quietly by. Change had to be made. Communications had to be built to be resilient. Mitigation efforts do not merely just refer to flooding, they also refer to mitigating against a threat of any kind. In this case, mitigating against the threat of losing power which in turn, shuts down the internet, television, and any outside information source that emergency responders rely on to communicate with the outside world. Communications is critical to emergency preparedness, planning, response, and recovery efforts alike. During the recovery process and mitigation process, we may fail to realize just how precious these services are. It takes a hurricane for people to realize just how vulnerable we are when all lines of communication have been cut off.
Building new communication systems, improving existing systems, widening the types of systems used, ensuring that ALL FEMA Emergency Operation Centers (EOC) have backup generator systems/available backup power such as is offered through the DECD’s Mobile Emergency Response Support (MERS) unit and Mobile Communications Office Vehicle (MCOV), can help a emergency responders be better prepared for the next disaster.
Planning for the unthinkable and imagining the worst possible threat might seem a bit extreme but in the events that have occurred in the United States over the past ten years, it really is that hard to imagine that it could very well happen. The increasing threat of storms along the America’s coasts, as a result of rising sea water, is a clear indicator that it’s only a matter of time before another Katrina hits the U.S. Communications systems ae a vital lifeline. It will be needed and officials must be prepared to meet that threat.
References
NASA. (2012, July17). DART photo album activations & deployments.
(Online Image). Retrieved on October 15, 2015, from
http://dart.arc.nasa.gov/katrina/ECC@MAF/06Dvc00189.html
Wireless Estimator.com. (n.d.). [Online Images]. Retrieved on October 15,
2014, from http://wirelessestimator.com/content/articles/
?pagename=Katrina%20photos
Actions to Restore Public Education Facilities and Systems:
Before education could resume in the area, the schools needed to be addressed. The issue of restoration before education could resume became a major concern for city officials.
The families that decided to leave, had to enroll their kids in school else where. The families that decided to stay had to send their kids to school in another state. It took about a year for schools to re-open. In that time the state took over the public school system and turned all schools into charter schools.
Some of the steps that were taken in order to get the schools back on track were, seeking contractors, mold testing, information on who was coming back (teachers & students), drivers for transportation, temporary housing for returning teachers, buses were needed along with supplies and food which were donated. Some schools had 5 feet of water or more, destroying 110 out of 142 schools.
References
Effect of Hurricane Katrina on New Orleans. (2005, October 17). [Online Images]. Retrieved on October 12, 2015, from
http://911review.org/Hurricane_Katrina/Effect_of_Hurricane_Katrina_on_New_Orleans/
Remembering Katrina #GetReadyGetSafe. (2015, August 27). [Online Images]. Retrieved on October 12, 2015, from
http://thirdeyemom.com/2015/08/27/remembering-katrina-getreadygetsafe/
Stratton, J. (2011, November 11). Banning abortion in Henrico County, New Orleans. [Online Image].
Retrieved on October 16, 2016, from http://www.hoboes.com/Mimsy/Editorial/banning-abortion- henrico-county-new-
orleans/
Weible, D. R. (2014, March 20). Desegregation landmark in New Orleans revived: William Frantz elementary revamped as Akili
academy. [Online Image]. Jet Magazine. Retrieved on October 16, 2015, from http://www.jetmag.com/news/desegregation-
landmark-in-new-orleans- again-offers-education/#.ViGha2vGFWA
Government plans for resource coordination:
On the local level the mayor did not order a mandatory evacuation, on the federal level FEMA was sending water and gasoline back stating they had enough,
when they didn’t, just to name a few example. The buses that could have been used for transportation, were flooded. Just a few examples of miscommunication between federal/local/state government. Image from Effect of Hurricane Katrina on New Orleans. (2005, October 17).
Reference
Effect of Hurricane Katrina on New Orleans. (2005, October 17). [Online Image].
Retrieved October 12, 2015, from http://911review.org/
Hurricane_Katrina/Effect_of_Hurricane_Katrina_on_New_Orleans/
References
Bershadker, M. (2015, August 27). The lessons in hurricane Katrina’s legacy.
[Online Image]. Retrieved from https://www.aspca.org/blog/lessons-
hurricane-katrinas- legacy%20%20%20http://www.aspcapro.org/resource/
disaster-cruelty-disaster-response/what-pets-act
Communication Plan. (2010, June 17). Crisis communication plan hurricane Katrina.
[Online Image]. Retrieved on October 16, 2015, from http://communicationplanstoday.blogspot.com/2010/06/crisis-
communication-plan-hurricane_17.html
Louisiana: Department of Transportation and Development. (n.d.). Southeast
Louisiana evacuation plan. [Online Image]. Retrieved on October 16,
2015, from http://wwwsp.dotd.la.gov/Inside_LaDOTD/Divisions/
Operations/Emergency_Operations/
Maps/Southeast%20EvacuationContraFlow%20Map.pdf
NASA. (2012, July17). DART photo album activations & deployments.
(Online Image). Retrieved on October 15, 2015, from
http://dart.arc.nasa.gov/katrina/ECC@MAF/06Dvc00189.html
Stratton, J. (2011, November 11). Banning abortion in Henrico County, New Orleans. [Online Image].
Retrieved on October 16, 2016, from http://www.hoboes.com/Mimsy/Editorial/banning-abortion- henrico-county-new-
orleans/
The Parks of Plaquemines. (n.d.). Why plaquemines parish? [Online Image].
Retrieved on October 16, 2015, from http://www.theparkslifestyle.com/
wp-content/uploads/Hurricane-Estimate-Damage-Map.pdf
United States Army Corps of Engineers (June 2015). Greater New Orleans
hurricane and storm damage risk reduction system - Facts and figures.
[Online Image]. Retrieved on 10 October 2015 from
http://www.mvn.usace.army.mil/Portals/56/docs/environmental/
NGO%20Partnership%20Meetings/HSDRRSMitigationNGO11-
13-2013FINAL.pdf
Weible, D. R. (2014, March 20). Desegregation landmark in New Orleans revived:
William Frantz elementary revamped as Akili academy. [Online Image].
Jet Magazine. Retrieved on October 16, 2015, from http://www.jetmag.com/news/
Wireless Estimator.com. (n.d.). [Online Images]. Retrieved on October 15,
2014, from http://wirelessestimator.com/content/articles/
?pagename=Katrina%20photos
