Hurricane Katrina Emergency Management

Introduction

Will the storm of 2005 be remembered because it was a catastrophe and the worst natural disaster or as the worst response to a disaster? Both? The aftermath of violent Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans was probably the most awakening moment the country will experience when dealing with natural disasters. This paper will convey how various agencies, including the U.S. government, have been criticized in the way they dealt with citizens, foundation and overall communications in a time of dire need, through various sources and come up with a variety of solutions and justifications to the problems so that the enormity of problems faced still today, does not reoccur.

Analysis

Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast in late August 2005 that led to catastrophic events of wind damage, flooding, and massive dislocation of victims of the storm. The final death toll reached 1,836 people. It has been regarded as one of the worst natural disasters in the history of this nation. This caused overwhelming crowds of New Orleans citizens to seek help in any way possible. The Superdome sheltered more than 25,000 people. Chaos rang out and things weren't in order as people began getting angry and panicky as conditions worsened. Elderly were suffering from heatstroke's, people were becoming hungrier and suicide even exposed its ugly self. Patients were dying as caregivers wept for help that never came. It seemed as if the country, especially the government that is deemed powerful and full of commitments, just seized up when disaster struck. There were about half a million refugees, a million without power, 30,000 soldiers and about $100 billion in damage in an area where the suffering was no longer measurable. Those who survived turned to mercy, grief, and mischief or surrendered to despair. Outside failing hospitals, dying patients had hand-held ventilators, looters took over city streets and many were left stranded (Tuckey, pp 21-191).

The Homeland Security Administration was also criticized for focusing on terrorism at the expense of preparing for disasters such as the hurricane. There is much tension, both currently and historically between the state and city level government. Issues between money such as financial assistance, control over urban politics, bureaucracies, and cultural and racial differences have divided New Orleans with Louisiana. The government was also criticized for not properly compensating New Orleans. Spike Lee's film, “When the Levees Broke,” mentions how the government had been warned about was heading to New Orleans. Arrogance on the part of the government was part of why the government did not care, included race. By the fifth day after Hurricane Katrina struck land, the federal government still did not know how to deal with situations including sending troops and aid. Dr. Condoleeza Rice was out shopping for shoes in New York City and enjoying life instead of dealing with New Orleans, a priority. Mayor Nagin said that his resources were used but the government neglected them when it came to outside help.

The aid was not there and ...