Hurricanes are not a new phenomenon to the Gulf Coast. In fact, an average of six hurricanes hit the Gulf Coast each year. Sometimes there are hurricanes that make a huge impact on the environment and the people in the area.

On August 29, 2005, one of the most destructive natural disasters hit the Gulf Coast. Hurricane Katrina, a Category 5 hurricane, crashed 60 miles southeast of New Orleans, Louisiana, causing many deaths and extreme devastation.

The video below chronicles the movement of Hurricane Katrina from its birth in the Atlantic Ocean to its historic, destructive landfall along the Gulf Coast. After watching the video, answer the following questions in your notes.

1. Which areas besides the U.S. Gulf Coast were affected by Hurricane Katrina?

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   Possible answers: the Caribbean (namely Cuba and the Bahamas), South Florida, parts of eastern North America

2. What physical changes occurred as a result of Hurricane Katrina making landfall along the Gulf Coast?

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   Possible answers: flattened homes, flooded streets, trees and other vegetation destroyed

3. How did Hurricane Katrina impact human life before, during, and after its historic landfall?

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   Possible answers: residents had to evacuate affected areas prior to its landfall, many people were trapped in their homes during the storm, people were unable to return to their homes, and some people lost their lives

Although the hurricane itself made landfall near the Mississippi-Louisiana border, the storm had far-reaching impact. Heavy rainfall and damaging winds extended east along the Gulf Coast and as far as Florida.

The physical changes caused by Hurricane Katrina not only demolished buildings and destroyed homes, but it also contributed to the permanent destruction of geographic features along the Gulf Coast. The photos below are a comparison of the Chandeleur Islands, a chain of low-lying islands located approximately 60 miles east of New Orleans. The islands have suffered destruction as a result of past hurricanes. Take a look at the two images below. The first image was taken in July 2001 and the second image was taken in August 2005. Note: Hurricanes Lili (2002), Ivan (2004), and Katrina (2005) occurred during this time.

What major changes do you see between the two photos? How did the hurricanes cause these changes over time? Do these changes in the islands impact human life?

In the days immediately following Hurricane Katrina, the federal government was criticized for what some called a delay in response to an emergency. After careful analysis of the aftermath, the federal government strengthened the policies of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in an effort to provide effective assistance to citizens in preparation for, during, and in the aftermath of natural disasters.

Click on the link below to view videos and pictures from the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina on New Orleans, Louisiana. Be sure to click on the tabs for Biloxi and Mississippi to compare the physical damages and human impact in each area.

Hurricane Katrina

FEMA coordinated emergency assistance to rescue people trapped by flood waters. In the photo above, a rescue worker from Colorado carries an infant to safety.

FEMA assisted many families who were evacuated to other locations such as the Astrodome in Houston, Texas (pictured above).

FEMA not only focused on rescuing people trapped by flood waters or stranded on rooftops, but the agency also provided shelter, food, and even financial assistance to people who were displaced by the storm.

Quick Reflection: Did FEMA focus more on the physical impact or human impact of Hurricane Katrina? What examples support your answer?

Hurricane Katrina is considered the most destructive natural disaster to hit the Gulf Coast. The loss of life and property was devastating to the people of the Gulf Coast and the rest of the nation. Think about what you have learned about the human and physical impact of the storm and complete the activity that follows.

Activity

In this activity several examples of how Hurricane Katrina impacted the Gulf Coast will appear. Read each one and determine if the statement reflects how the hurricane impacted the Gulf Coast physically or if it reflects an impact on human life in the region. Click on the correct column.