Katrina Broke down :: essays research papers

I. This calamity appears to have been made far far worse than it could have been by a number of factors A. The Hurricane was a household 4/5. 1. We are in a bad hurricane cycle that will last a nonher 20 years. 2. Global warming might contribute to hurricane intensity, but this is most credibly political dogma in the case of Katrina. 3. Levee system (see C) was designed for Category 3 max. B. The precarious location of New siege of Orleans. 1. Surrounded by urine on three sides. 2. 70% below sea level and easy sinking. C. A river levee system, along with overzealous oil exploration. 1. causes the marshes protecting New Orleans from storm surge to disappear at a rate of devil acres per hour (yeah I know thats pretty stunning - I got it from National Geographic). D. A lack of funding for the levee system and for marshland protection. 1. Has neer been fully funded. Bushs cuts have made it worse. 2. Several hundred million required to expland and maintain levee system. Bush cut funding to about 1/4 to 1/2 what was needed. 3. $14 one million million requested over 30 years for marshland restoration. Bush cut back to $2 Billion over 10 years. E. Failure in FEMA planning. 1. partially due to incompetence. 2. Partly due to reorganization woes after 9/11. Focus shifted to terrorist attacks, natural calamity releif de-emphasised. 3. FEMA incorporated into DHS, adding to beareaucratic red tape. F. Louisiana National Guard in Iraq rubbish war - unavailable for Katrina Disaster. G. New Orleans population one of poorest in country. 1. 68% Black. 2. Many did not have means to leave city, did not own cars, etc.