HW_Myths of Hurricane Katrina

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Temple University *

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EES0842

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Civil Engineering

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Dec 6, 2023

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docx

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EES 0836 Myths of Hurricane Katrina Disasters: Geology vs. Hollywood Introduction In 2005, Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans with disastrous effect. While the hurricane itself was devastating to those living in the area, it helped to expose flaws in our approach to risk reduction. This paper/assignment investigates those flaws and how we had to relearn how we should have more of an anticipatory response to natural disasters. Learning Objectives ● Criticize how emergency management had to relearn how to respond to disasters. (2, 3, c, d) ● Analyze the decisions humans make that lead to long-term vulnerabilities with future events. (3, d) Part 1: Myths of Hurricane Katrina Read the paper “ Myths of Hurricane Katrina ” by Kelman Ilan and complete the following questions. 1. The author claims that there are six “myths” of new knowledge learned from Hurricane Katrina that are actually lessons relearned. List these six lessons. - Community-based disaster risk reduction. - Disaster diplomacy. - Disaster shelter. - Evacuees with special needs. - Reliance on structural defenses. - Swiftwater rescue. 2. According to the author, after a disaster such as Katrina, people should be prepared to go without relief aid for how long? A minimum of 1-2 weeks or more. 3. What is “community-based disaster reduction”? Give an example of where it is practiced. It refers to the evidence that pre-disaster activities such as preparedness and mitigation and post- disaster activities such as response and recovery are best achieved at the local level with community and involvement. Community teams are being developed in Australia, Taiwan, Turkey, the US, and more. 4. What countries offered disaster aid to the U.S. and had their offer declined? Why? Cuba and Iran were denied because President Bush was unwilling to plan for being a recipient of disaster aid. 5. What is “risk transference,” and how was it illustrated by the case of New Orleans?

EES 0836 Risk transference is when risk is transferred into, and accumulated in, the future. For example, when people live behind flood defenses, they become inured to the absence of a regular flood. When a flood then exceeds the defenses, the damage and casualties are greater than if the community was used to regular floods. New Orleans is mostly below sea level, and the article questions whether they should have avoided building structural defenses there. 6. What evidence does the author provide that the government is better prepared to take care of pets after a natural disaster than people with special needs? The author states “In 2006, the American Government passed the bipartisan Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act to give full disaster care to pets.” He then states that treating people with disabilities, the ill, and socially isolated people with respect is still on the agenda for risk reduction. 7. What, in your opinion, is the most important lesson you hope we have learned from Katrina? I would say that the most important lesson I hope we have learned from Katrina is the experience New Orleans had. Questioning the defense mechanisms and learning from the disaster. We must think of more effective ways to prevent flooding while teaching the community how they can be affected by all the possible consequences. Having evacuation plans and having workers consistently trained to know how to react when an event occurs is a smart way to be prepared.

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