3. This presentation provides an
overview of the Hurricane Katrina
disaster management cycle,
highlighting key actions and
challenges at each stage.
About Presentation
4. Hurricane Katrina was
the sixth-strongest
Atlantic hurricane ever
recorded and the
third-strongest
landfalling U.S.
hurricane on record.
6. 1. Disaster - Development
The storm that would later become Hurricane
Katrina surfaced on August 23, 2005, as a
tropical depression over the Bahamas,
approximately 350 miles (560 km) east of
Miami. Over the next two days the weather
system gathered strength, earning the
designation Tropical Storm Katrina, and it
made landfall between Miami and Fort
Lauderdale, Florida, as a category 1
hurricane—a storm that, on the Saffir-Simpson
scale, exhibits winds in the range of 74–95
miles (119–154 km) per hour. Sustained winds
of 70 miles (115 km) per hour lashed the
Florida peninsula, and rainfall totals of 5
inches (13 cm) were reported in some areas.
The storm spent less than eight hours over
land. It quickly intensified when it reached the
warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
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8.
9. In New Orleans, where much of the greater
metropolitan area is below sea level, federal
officials initially believed that the city had
“dodged the bullet.” While New Orleans had
been spared a direct hit by the intense winds of
the storm, the true threat was soon apparent.
The levee system that held back the waters of
Lake Pontchartrain and Lake Borgne had been
completely overwhelmed by 10 inches (25 cm) of
rain and Katrina’s storm surge. Some levees
buttressing the Industrial Canal, the 17th Street
Canal, and other areas were overtopped by the
storm surge, and others were breached after
these structures failed outright from the buildup
of water pressure behind them. The area east of
the Industrial Canal was the first part of the city
to flood; by the afternoon of August 29, some 20
percent of the city was underwater.
Damage
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13. 2.Response Phase:
a. Search and Rescue: Following the
hurricane's landfall, search and rescue
operations were initiated to save individuals
stranded in flooded areas. However, the
response was hindered by the magnitude of
the disaster, limited resources, and
coordination issues between different
agencies involved.
b. Shelter and Aid Distribution: Emergency
shelters were established to provide
temporary housing for displaced individuals.
However, the response was hampered by
delays in setting up shelters, inadequate
supplies, and insufficient coordination
among relief organizations.
14. c. Emergency Response Planning:
Emergency management agencies
and organizations developed
response plans, identified key
resources, and established
coordination mechanisms. However,
the planning process was criticized for
its lack of preparedness for a
catastrophic event and insufficient
consideration of the needs of
vulnerable populations.
15. 3.Recovery Phase:
a. Infrastructure Restoration: Efforts
were made to restore critical
infrastructure, including electricity,
water supply, and transportation
networks. However, the recovery
process was slow and faced
significant challenges due to the
extent of damage and inadequate
resources.
b. Housing and Community
Reconstruction: Programs were
implemented to provide temporary
and permanent housing solutions for
displaced individuals. However, the
recovery process was marred by
issues such as insufficient funding,
bureaucratic hurdles, and the slow
pace of rebuilding efforts.
16. c. Medical Assistance: Medical
teams and supplies were
deployed to provide healthcare
services to those injured or
affected by the hurricane.
However, there were challenges
in providing timely medical
assistance due to overwhelmed
healthcare systems and
disrupted infrastructure.
17. c. Economic Recovery:
Various initiatives were
undertaken to revive the local
economy, including financial
assistance programs for
affected businesses and job
creation efforts. However, the
economic recovery faced
obstacles such as
widespread job losses,
damaged industries, and a
decrease in tourism.
18. 4.Preparedness Phase:
a. Early Warning Systems: The
National Hurricane Center (NHC)
provided timely warnings about the
approaching hurricane, enabling
authorities to initiate evacuation
procedures and prepare emergency
response plans.
b. Evacuation Planning: Local, state,
and federal authorities collaborated to
develop evacuation plans, including
transportation arrangements for
residents in high-risk areas. However,
there were significant challenges in
executing the evacuation due to
limited transportation resources,
inadequate communication systems,
and insufficient coordination.
19. 5 .Mitigation phases
a. Policy Changes: The
disaster prompted a
reassessment of disaster
management policies and
regulations at the local, state,
and federal levels. Reforms
focused on improving
emergency response
coordination, strengthening
evacuation procedures, and
enhancing infrastructure
resilience.
b. Community Engagement:
The disaster highlighted the
importance of involving
communities in disaster
planning and response. Efforts
were made to enhance
community resilience, promote
disaster awareness, and
encourage citizen participation
in preparedness activities.
c. Enhanced Emergency Response
Systems: Investments were made in
improving communication systems,
early warning capabilities, and
disaster response coordination
mechanisms. Lessons from Hurricane
Katrina led to the development of
better response frameworks and the
establishment of the Federal
Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA) as the lead agency for
national disaster response.
20. The Hurricane Katrina disaster
management cycle involved the stages
of preparedness, response, recovery, and
mitigation. While certain aspects of the
response and recovery efforts were
criticized for their inadequacies, the
disaster served as a catalyst for
significant improvements in disaster
management practices in the United
States. The lessons learned from
Hurricane Katrina continue.
Conclusion:
