New Orleans and the Lessons of Hurricane Katrina

Introduction

New Orleans is a city of paradox and contrast while it shares the urban
problems afflicting other U.S. cities, it has neverteless preserved an exuberant
and uninhibited spirit, perhaps best exemplified by its Carnival season, The city
also has a solid economic base, it is the largest city in Louisiana, one of the
country's most important ports, a major tourist resort, and a medical, industrial,
and educational centre.

Background

It was devastated by Hurricane Katrina in August 2005, when the levees

protecting the city were breached and nearly all of the city was flooded. The
storm and its aftermath killed hundreds, caused massive property damage, and
forced a full-scale evacuation of the city.

1.1 Risk before the typhoon

New Orleans Hurricane Risk, as a result of its elevation near sea level, the Lake
Pontchartrain Basin is quite vulnerable to tropical storms and hurricanes.
Hurricanes are categorized by their windspeed in miles per hour (mph). In
addition to its separation from the coast, the topography of the land in the city of
New Orleans is adverse. The city is surrounded by a river levee system 25 feet
high along its southern boundary, and by hurricane protection levees about 15
feet high along the remaining boundaries.

1.2 Problems that escalated during and after the disaster

Many people, about 200,000, do not have automobiles or access to an

automobile. There are an additional 20,000 special needs people that cannot be
easily moved.

The flooding and widespread damage from Katrina delayed rescue and aid
efforts for days. Besides the death toll, hurricane Katrina left many people
homeless as more than 800,000 housing units were destroyed or damaged in the
storm. This is because of the irresponssible and not clear instruction that was
spread to the people during the hurricane.

Recommendations:

In order to explore care communication prior to Hurricane Katrina, two

points are critical for consideration. First, was the danger that was Katrina (its
presence, scope, potential impacts) known in advance by the audiences.
Second, was that knowledge communicated to the appropriate audiences.

·0 Improved knowledge and capacity related to disaster preparedness, early

warning and early action in the communities.

·1 Improved community preparedness through active participation in

preparing community action plans and contingency plans.

·2 Ecotourism has been developed and contributed better knowledge on

DRR, climate change adaptation and livelihoods.