Research Articles Base: Hurricane Katrina

A POSITION PAPER ON WHETHER OR NOT BUSH IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE EFFECTS OF HURRICANCE KATRINA

One of the deadliest calamities that occurred in United States was Hurricane Katrina. It was the sixth-strongest Atlantic hurricane ever recorded and third-strongest hurricane listed that made landfall in the US.             Hurricane Katrina formed on August 23, 2005, that caused severe loss of life and property in New Orleans, Louisiana, Mississippi coast up to Alabama region.               During the hurricane, Bush was currently having his month-long vacation at his ranch at Crawford, Texas and was unable to make precautions before the hurricane struck. News articles said that the president was forewarned by the Federal Disaster Officials. However, reports showed that the President stayed on vacation and didn’t get back to work.             This study would is interested in analyzing whether President Bush is worth to blame of the effect of Hurricane Katrina in United States. This study would like to know, if Bush could have made the impact of the storm less terrible, had he not went to vacation at the time of calamity.             This study will use newspaper, online and magazine articles, to make a through research on the topic. At the end of the study, it will arrive in a position whether the president is worth to blame on the impact the storm caused.               This study may also conduct live interviews of people in authority, who may have a clarifying opinion on the topic.             This study may be beneficial to political analysts.             src=”http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js”> Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

A POSITION PAPER ON WHETHER OR NOT BUSH IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE EFFECTS OF HURRICANCE KATRINA

One of the deadliest calamities that occurred in United States was Hurricane Katrina. It was the sixth-strongest Atlantic ...

Hurricane Katrina hit the port of Louisiana and the Gulf Coast as a category 4 hurricane on August 28-29, 2005

Hurricane Katrina: Effects, Impacts and Implications             On August 28-29, 2005, the news of hurricane Katrina hit the whole world as it struck the port of Louisiana and the Gulf Coast. Hurricane Katrina has greatly affected the immediate area hit by the said hurricane. Katrina is said to be perhaps the “single worst environmental catastrophe” to hit the United States as a result of a natural tragedy (2005). Thousands of homes were destructed by the water. Walls imploded as thick layers of sediment were scattered inside and out. Roofs collapsed and some homes were picked up by the water and moved into the middle of the streets (2005). In addition, thousands of vehicles were reported to totally or mostly submerged and destructed and were scattered in unexpected places across the area, most of them dangerously leaning up against the roofs, staggering on fences; some were stacked up on top of each other, others crushed by the powerful water (2005). Moreover, commercial strips were completely ruined, as well as schools and public buildings. Power lines were toppled and gas stations were also ruined ( 2005). Environmental Effects             It was reported that there was a strong smell of petroleum vapors frequently encountered in the affected areas of the hurricane such as unpleasant smells of rotting sludge and unmistakable odors of widespread mold (2005). It must be noted that dust swirls into one’s lungs as heavy equipments move or as a breeze kicks it up. According to (2005), there were several reports regarding severe pollution and illnesses during the aftermath of hurricane Katrina. Ordinary people, rescue workers and police as well who have gone to the affected places of hurricane Katrina have had become sick after contact with the flood water or muck. Such illnesses included rashes and blisters from coming into contact with polluted water, infected sores irresponsive to antibiotics, nausea and vomiting, in addition to some respiratory problems like asthma to people who were exposed to fumes in contaminated area (2005).             According to U.S. Coast Guard and EPA data, there were 575 Katrina-related spills of petroleum and hazardous chemicals that has been reported as of September 11, 2005 (2005).  (2005) noted that even just eleven considerable spills released practically seven million gallons of oil which only a portion of it cleaned up and majority of it not. In lined to this, there was also a considerable amount of gasoline and toxic fluids from vehicles and automobiles destroyed by the flood which added to the reports on spills and leaks of oil and toxic chemicals. Moreover, at least four hazardous waste sites in New Orleans were hit by the storm which had great potential releases of toxic wastes, not to mention the toxic sediment that has accumulated at the bottom of lakes, rivers and streams in industrialized areas over many decades due to industrial spills. According to experts, many of these hotspots have been stirred up and accordingly, the toxic sediments have been re-suspended and re-deposited by the storm and floodwater in large land areas such as residential communities ( 2005).   Impacts  (2005) comments that the full impact of hurricane Katrina will not be understood for some time to come. However, the storm was said to impact not just the local environment but as well as the national and global settings.  (2006) has outlined several impacts of hurricane Katrina on industries, fiscal impacts on Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas, macroeconomic impacts in the United States as well as global impacts. Industry impacts included energy production in the Gulf of Mexico – temporary loss of crude oil out (90%) and natural gas production (70%), shutdown of 12% of refineries; shipping/logistics – New Orleans’s port closed for weeks and traffic disruption; fishing and agriculture – loss of sugar cane crop (40%) and rice production, long term damage to oyster beds and shrimp industry; hospitality and gaming – short and long term loss of convention business in New Orleans and temporary interruption of gaming activity in Mississippi; and small businesses – all business closed for some time and many never reopened (2006).   As for the fiscal impacts, for Louisiana, there were 15 % lost of its sales, income and valorem tax base which is about $ 5 billion revenue loss. Also, New Orleans dismissed half of its municipal workforce. For Texas, it became the primary destination for evacuees which estimated a $ 1 billion for the provision of education and healthcare for the evacuees. There was also minor loss to tax base. Finally for Mississippi, it lost 25 % of its tax base and not to mention that it is already the poorest state in the U.S. with per capita income below 30 % below national level (2006). Macroeconomic impact in the U.S. included higher energy prices – rising of gasoline prices, natural gas prices and utility bills; overall inflation – producer/consumer price rates doubled compared to last year and increase in transportation costs and building materials prices; national output or GDP; and widening of federal budget deficit (2006;2005). Finally, global impacts include an increase in higher oil prices. Consequently, financial markets were affected as the storm was reported to destabilize impact on fast growing companies as well as an $ 80 billion loss to global insurance and reinsurance companies (2006). Environmental Implications Practically everyone is now aware of climate change and global warming. As there is occurrence of an extreme weather event such as hurricane Katrina, people wonder if it was caused by global warming. There has been so many assumptions that hurricanes will increase in frequency or intensity due to global warming, with higher wind speeds and greater precipitation (2006) According to , British Government’s chief scientific adviser, “global warming may be responsible for the devastation reaped by hurricane Katrina” (2005). It must be noted that scientists lack a detailed explanation for the effects of global warming in hurricane trends. However, in general, according to scientists and researchers, it makes sense that higher temperatures may increase hurricane strength. Heat is energy and energy is what drives hurricanes (2005). According to  (2006), the frequency of hurricanes has not risen on average over the long term. Nevertheless, many scientists believe and claim that global warming will cause more intense hurricanes as rising sea surface temperatures offer energy for the intensification of storms. A recently published MIT study in Nature offers the first data analysis revealing that tropical storms are undeniably becoming more powerful and intense over time (2006) Furthermore,  (2006) states that increasing ocean temperatures may very well influence tracks of hurricanes. Meaning, there is an increase in probability of hurricanes trailing through the Caribbean or making landfall on the east coast of United States. It must be noted though that this phenomenon is not yet very well comprehended; however, it was found out that a trail of unusually deep and warm water appears to have led hurricane Katrina right directly to the Gulf Coast when it hit Louisiana and Mississippi (  2006).               Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

Hurricane Katrina hit the port of Louisiana and the Gulf Coast as a category 4 hurricane on August 28-29, 2005

Hurricane Katrina: Effects, Impacts and Implications On August 28-29, 2005, the news of hurricane Katrina hit the whole worl...

COMPARE AND CONTRAST THE AMERICAN DUST BOWL OF 1930s AND THE RECENT HURRICANE KATRINA CRISIS

American Dust Bowl and Hurricane Katrina   Introduction             The United States of America can be considered as one of the countries which experience many natural disasters.  Historically, the Americans have faced much devastation caused mainly by the changes of the environment. In the 1930s, the Americans have experienced one of the worst climatic incidents in the US history and this is the so-called “Dust Bowl”.  And in 2005, other devastating events occurred in the United States which has caused traumatic experience among the people, and this is the “Hurricane Katrina”. Primarily, the goal of this paper is to compare and contrast the Dust Bowl in 1930s and the Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The discussion will focus on the role of the environment, people and economics in creating such disasters, the response of the Federal Government and how each victim have coped with this traumatic experience as well as the perception of the public regarding the disasters.   Dust Bowl and Hurricane Katrina             The Dust Bowl is known to be one of the worst climatic events that happened in the United States of America in the 1930s. Such phenomenon was occurs when fragile and frail grasslands were made vulnerable by over cultivation of wheat and lack of effective land management. Dust bowl was cleared of topsoil through the combination of heavy winds and drought which results on severe dust storms.  This even swept the US Great Plains.     On the other hand, Hurricane Katrina which happened in 2005 has affected different states of the United Stated including, Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi. Hurricane is a kind of tropical cyclone, the generic terms for a low pressure system which generally forms in the tropics.  This devastating event has affected many lives of Americans.             Some believes that events such as Dust Bowl and Hurricane Katrina are one of the ways to remind people about their wrongdoings. Although, Dust Bowl and Hurricane Katrina is a natural phenomenon, many could not ignore the fact that each and every individual is responsible for these incidents.  For example, in the Dust Bowl drought, it is said that one of the causes of such occurrence is the poor and lack of land management in the area.  According to  (2005), environment, people and the economic aspects of United States caused the Dust Bowl drought.  He states that such event resulted from a terrible collision of weather, the great depression, deficient farming and a desperate rural population finding the American dream in the worst homestead country and the harsh no-man’s land of the high plains in the states of Kansas, Oklahoma and Kansas. In line with Hurricane Katrina, scientists believed that the natural environmental cycle is the main cause of the occurrence of such string hurricane and not any human-induced changed. Although, some cited that global warming is also a cause for Hurricane Katrina to occur, scientists still finds this fact as premature.             Having been able to realize the devastating effect of Dust Bowl in the 1930s, the federal government of America under the reign of President Franklin Roosevelt had initiated governmental programs to restore the ecologic balance which has been destroyed by the Dust Bowl drought. The US Government had established the Soil Conservation which is now called Natural Conservation Services.  This is to ensure that proper management of natural resources is implemented so as to prevent the occurrence of another Dust Bowl drought in the States. In Hurricane Katrina, the Federal Government and the Federal Emergency Management Agency has been able to provide disaster recovery response to Katrina even before the storm occurred. Herein, different volunteers began rendering aids and assistance to affected residents both local and emerging residents from New Orleans.  In addition, the US Northern Command has also established Joint Task Force Katrina to act as the military’s on scene command. In addition, FEMA has also provided housing assistance to the victims. Other government agencies also provided assistance to all the victims of such calamity.             Both disasters have affected the lives of many Americans. In the Dust Bowl event, the crops of the farmers were ruined, lands became dry and infertile and homes foreclosed because of unpayable debts. With this farm families gave up and left and tried to find a new place where they can begin their lives again and cope with the traumatic experience that they had. Just like Dust Blow, Hurricane Katrina also affects many lives of the victims, many have become homeless and some of the members of the family have died.  But just like any other disasters, Americans are willing to cope and eager to continue their life no matter how much pain it caused them.   Reference Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

COMPARE AND CONTRAST THE AMERICAN DUST BOWL OF 1930s AND THE RECENT HURRICANE KATRINA CRISIS

American Dust Bowl and Hurricane Katrina Introduction The United States of America can be considered as one of the countr...

HURRICANE KATRINA AND THE ENVIRONMENT

HURRICANE KATRINA AND THE ENVIRONMENT INTRODUCTION             Hurricane Katrina, the sixth-strongest Atlantic Hurricane ever recorded and the third-strongest landfalling U.S. hurricane to date, left an estimated .2 billion (2005 US Dollars) in damages and killed at least 1,836 people (2006). Not only was the destruction physical, it also caused much human misery and environmental degredation according to  (2005). The following sections present the major environmental effects of this natural disaster. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS             Katrina left in its wake serious environmental implications, which affected the natural order of the environment that it touched. Consequences of the nation’s dependence on fossil fuels, human-induced global warming, neglect of wetlands, which are natural buffer zones, and use of toxic and hazardous chemicals have been brought out in the open subsequent to the disaster (2005). Efforts by the US government to address such threats to the environment have received wide support, especially from the affected regions. The current state of the world’s natural environment was dragged in the spotlight, resulting to various research and studies on the subject of alleviating the present conditions in order to prevent, or at least prepare for worse disasters to come. EFFECT TO THE STATES’ NATURAL ENVIRONMENT             The natural disaster left the United States facing perhaps one of the worst environmental catastrophes in history. The more observable effects were: (1) severe air and water pollution that has led to health problems in the affected regions of Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Ohio and Kentucky (In a September 14, 2005 post in the CNN site entitled ‘The Latest on Katrina’s aftermath’, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said air quality samples taken in New Orleans showed high levels of some toxins, including ethylene glycol, used as a coolant, and isobutylene, a byproduct of gasoline and other fuels. Water was polluted mainly from floods brought by the hurricane); (2) oil and toxic chemical spills and leaks ( (2005), barely one month after the hurricane hit, 575 spills of petroleum or hazardous chemical has been reported to the US Coast Guard and the EPA and; (3) wetland and timber loss, and declines in fisheries and wildlife populations (Katrina damaged 16 federal wildlife refuges and altered habitat for at least three endangered or threatened species, including the endangered Alabama beach mouse, Kemp’s ridley sea turtle, and some species of wading birds, according to the US Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service in September 2005). NATIONAL AND GLOBAL IMPACTS             Its national impacts are evidenced by the figures provided by government agencies after the disaster struck. For instance, the Bureau of Labor Statistics provided data on the short and long term economic effects of the hurricane, with emphasis on employment in the affected regions. The ultimate impact of the calamity was foreseen to dampen real gross domestic product (GDP) growth in the second half of the current year (2005). In the global level, the impact can be seen on the interest of the world regarding disaster preparedness and environmental awareness. Most neighboring nations extended support to the country, while others were forced to look into their domestic situation, how they would come up in the event that such catastrophe happens to them. INFLUENCE OF GLOBAL WARMING             Katrina sparked debates over whether global warming influences the frequency or intensity of hurricanes. Last year, a number of studies conducted have tried to make a connection between the two. At least one prominent study suggests that hurricanes have become significantly stronger in the past few decades during the same period that global average temperatures have increased but some other scientists believe that a natural environmental cycle is responsible rather than any human-induced change (2005). Findings by  of the  Institute of Technology showed that the work of his group is consistent with the concept that there is a relationship between increasing sea surface temperature and hurricane intensity. ‘However, it’s not a simple relationship. In fact, it’s difficult to explain why the total number of hurricanes and their longevity has decreased during the last decade, when sea surface temperatures have risen the most’,  stated (‘Did global warming power Katrina?’ 2005). Several recent studies have warned that human-induced climate warming has the potential to increase the number of hurricanes (2006). In particular, James Elsner of Florida State University in Tallahassee inferred from an examination of the two occurrences that ‘future hurricane hazard mitigation efforts should reflect that hurricane damage will continue to increase, in part, due to greenhouse warming’ (2006). To date, no specific and hard evidence from the numerous studies have proven the direct relationship of global warming and hurricanes. NATURAL ‘BUFFERS’             Wetlands are generally believed to be a natural buffer against hurricanes. The over development of the Louisiana wetlands have eroded a major buffer against massive storms, as wetlands act as a sponge to collect and hold large quantities of surface runoff during storms, helping to prevent floods (2006). Additionally, the Center for Policy alternatives believe that wetlands intercept polluted runoff before it contaminates lakes, rivers, and coastal waters and act as natural water filters, absorbing pesticides, nitrogen, phosphorus, and other pollutants before they cause water pollution (2006). Ivor van Heerden, deputy director of the  University Hurricane Center pointed out two things: that first, what is known is that a wetland reduces the storm surge because of the frictional effects as the surge moves through it. ‘The second thing is as a hurricane approaches the coast, the right-hand side the winds are blowing to the shore, the left-hand side the winds are blowing out to sea. And so on the left-hand side you actually lower the water level so the plants and levees and the barrier islands stick up into the wind field, and as a consequence they take some of the energy out of the wind field. So the wetlands have two very important roles to play’ ( 2006). Other buffers such as barrier islands and cypress swamps could have protected the mainland from strong winds and ocean waves but they have been battered by natural calamities and human activities over the past years (2006). Protection of these natural buffers could have significantly decreased the damage that hurricane Katrina brought to the country, but it appears that people, by nature, do not take any action until it is too late. Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

HURRICANE KATRINA AND THE ENVIRONMENT

HURRICANE KATRINA AND THE ENVIRONMENT INTRODUCTION Hurricane Katrina, the sixth-strongest Atlantic Hurricane ever ...

Hurricane Katrina: Effects, Impacts and Implications

Hurricane Katrina: Effects, Impacts and Implications             On August 28-29, 2005, the news of hurricane Katrina hit the whole world as it struck the port of Louisiana and the Gulf Coast. Hurricane Katrina has greatly affected the immediate area hit by the said hurricane. Katrina is said to be perhaps the “single worst environmental catastrophe” to hit the United States as a result of a natural tragedy (2005). Thousands of homes were destructed by the water. Walls imploded as thick layers of sediment were scattered inside and out. Roofs collapsed and some homes were picked up by the water and moved into the middle of the streets ( 2005). In addition, thousands of vehicles were reported to totally or mostly submerged and destructed and were scattered in unexpected places across the area, most of them dangerously leaning up against the roofs, staggering on fences; some were stacked up on top of each other, others crushed by the powerful water ( 2005). Moreover, commercial strips were completely ruined, as well as schools and public buildings. Power lines were toppled and gas stations were also ruined ( 2005). Environmental Effects             It was reported that there was a strong smell of petroleum vapors frequently encountered in the affected areas of the hurricane such as unpleasant smells of rotting sludge and unmistakable odors of widespread mold (2005). It must be noted that dust swirls into one’s lungs as heavy equipments move or as a breeze kicks it up. According to  (2005), there were several reports regarding severe pollution and illnesses during the aftermath of hurricane Katrina. Ordinary people, rescue workers and police as well who have gone to the affected places of hurricane Katrina have had become sick after contact with the flood water or muck. Such illnesses included rashes and blisters from coming into contact with polluted water, infected sores irresponsive to antibiotics, nausea and vomiting, in addition to some respiratory problems like asthma to people who were exposed to fumes in contaminated area ( 2005).             According to U.S. Coast Guard and EPA data, there were 575 Katrina-related spills of petroleum and hazardous chemicals that has been reported as of September 11, 2005 (2005).  (2005) noted that even just eleven considerable spills released practically seven million gallons of oil which only a portion of it cleaned up and majority of it not. In lined to this, there was also a considerable amount of gasoline and toxic fluids from vehicles and automobiles destroyed by the flood which added to the reports on spills and leaks of oil and toxic chemicals. Moreover, at least four hazardous waste sites in New Orleans were hit by the storm which had great potential releases of toxic wastes, not to mention the toxic sediment that has accumulated at the bottom of lakes, rivers and streams in industrialized areas over many decades due to industrial spills. According to experts, many of these hotspots have been stirred up and accordingly, the toxic sediments have been re-suspended and re-deposited by the storm and floodwater in large land areas such as residential communities ( 2005).   Impacts  (2005) comments that the full impact of hurricane Katrina will not be understood for some time to come. However, the storm was said to impact not just the local environment but as well as the national and global settings.  (2006) has outlined several impacts of hurricane Katrina on industries, fiscal impacts on Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas, macroeconomic impacts in the United States as well as global impacts. Industry impacts included energy production in the Gulf of Mexico – temporary loss of crude oil out (90%) and natural gas production (70%), shutdown of 12% of refineries; shipping/logistics – New Orleans’s port closed for weeks and traffic disruption; fishing and agriculture – loss of sugar cane crop (40%) and rice production, long term damage to oyster beds and shrimp industry; hospitality and gaming – short and long term loss of convention business in New Orleans and temporary interruption of gaming activity in Mississippi; and small businesses – all business closed for some time and many never reopened (2006).   As for the fiscal impacts, for Louisiana, there were 15 % lost of its sales, income and valorem tax base which is about $ 5 billion revenue loss. Also, New Orleans dismissed half of its municipal workforce. For Texas, it became the primary destination for evacuees which estimated a $ 1 billion for the provision of education and healthcare for the evacuees. There was also minor loss to tax base. Finally for Mississippi, it lost 25 % of its tax base and not to mention that it is already the poorest state in the U.S. with per capita income below 30 % below national level (2006). Macroeconomic impact in the U.S. included higher energy prices – rising of gasoline prices, natural gas prices and utility bills; overall inflation – producer/consumer price rates doubled compared to last year and increase in transportation costs and building materials prices; national output or GDP; and widening of federal budget deficit (2006;  2005). Finally, global impacts include an increase in higher oil prices. Consequently, financial markets were affected as the storm was reported to destabilize impact on fast growing companies as well as an $ 80 billion loss to global insurance and reinsurance companies ( 2006). Environmental Implications Practically everyone is now aware of climate change and global warming. As there is occurrence of an extreme weather event such as hurricane Katrina, people wonder if it was caused by global warming. There has been so many assumptions that hurricanes will increase in frequency or intensity due to global warming, with higher wind speeds and greater precipitation (2006) According to  British Government’s chief scientific adviser, “global warming may be responsible for the devastation reaped by hurricane Katrina” ( 2005). It must be noted that scientists lack a detailed explanation for the effects of global warming in hurricane trends. However, in general, according to scientists and researchers, it makes sense that higher temperatures may increase hurricane strength. Heat is energy and energy is what drives hurricanes (2005). According to Pew Center on Global Climate Change (2006), the frequency of hurricanes has not risen on average over the long term. Nevertheless, many scientists believe and claim that global warming will cause more intense hurricanes as rising sea surface temperatures offer energy for the intensification of storms. A recently published MIT study in Nature offers the first data analysis revealing that tropical storms are undeniably becoming more powerful and intense over time (2006) Furthermore,  (2006) states that increasing ocean temperatures may very well influence tracks of hurricanes. Meaning, there is an increase in probability of hurricanes trailing through the Caribbean or making landfall on the east coast of United States. It must be noted though that this phenomenon is not yet very well comprehended; however, it was found out that a trail of unusually deep and warm water appears to have led hurricane Katrina right directly to the Gulf Coast when it hit Louisiana and Mississippi (2006).               Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

Hurricane Katrina: Effects, Impacts and Implications

Hurricane Katrina: Effects, Impacts and Implications On August 28-29, 2005, the news of hurricane Katrina hit the whole worl...

Hurricane Katrina: Effects, Impacts and Implications

Hurricane Katrina: Effects, Impacts and Implications             On August 28-29, 2005, the news of hurricane Katrina hit the whole world as it struck the port of Louisiana and the Gulf Coast. Hurricane Katrina has greatly affected the immediate area hit by the said hurricane. Katrina is said to be perhaps the “single worst environmental catastrophe” to hit the United States as a result of a natural tragedy (2005). Thousands of homes were destructed by the water. Walls imploded as thick layers of sediment were scattered inside and out. Roofs collapsed and some homes were picked up by the water and moved into the middle of the streets (2005). In addition, thousand of vehicles were reported to totally or mostly submerged and destructed and are scattered in unexpected places across the area, most of them dangerously leaning up against the roofs, staggering on fences; some were stacked up on top of each other, others crushed by the powerful water (2005). Moreover, commercial strips were completely ruined, as well as schools and public buildings. Power lines were toppled and gas stations were also ruined.  Environmental Effects             It was reported that there was a strong smell of petroleum vapors frequently encountered in the affected areas of the hurricane such as unpleasant smells of rotting sludge and unmistakable odors of widespread mold (2005). It must be noted that dust swirls into one’s lungs as heavy equipments move or as a breeze kicks it up. According to  (2005), there were several reports regarding severe pollution and illnesses during the aftermath of hurricane Katrina. Ordinary people, rescue workers and police as well who have gone to the affected places of hurricane Katrina had become sick after contact with the flood water or muck. Such illnesses included rashes and blisters from coming into contact with polluted water, infected sores irresponsive to antibiotics, nausea and vomiting, in addition to some respiratory problems like asthma to people who were exposed to fumes in contaminated area ( 2005).             According to U.S. Coast Guard and EPA data, there were 575 Katrina-related spills of petroleum and hazardous chemicals that has been reported as of September 11, 2005.  (2005) noted that even just eleven considerable spills released practically seven million gallons of oil which only a portion of it cleaned up and majority of it not. In lined to this, there is also a considerable amount of gasoline and toxic fluids from vehicles and automobiles destroyed by the flood which adds to the reports on spills and leaks of oil and toxic chemicals. Moreover, at least four hazardous waste sites in New Orleans were hit by the storm which had great potential releases of toxic wastes, not to mention the toxic sediment that has accumulated at the bottom of lakes, rivers and streams in industrialized areas over many decades due to industrial spills. According to experts, many of these hotspots have been stirred up and accordingly, the toxic sediments have been re-suspended and re-deposited by the storm and floodwater in large land areas such as residential communities (2005).     Impacts  (2005) comments that the full impact of hurricane Katrina will not be understood for some time to come. However, the storm was said to impact not just the local environment but as well as the national and global settings. (2006) has outlined several impacts of hurricane Katrina on industries, fiscal impacts on Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas, macroeconomic impacts in the United States as well as global impacts. Industry impacts included energy production in the Gulf of Mexico – temporary loss of crude oil out (90%) and natural gas production (70%), shutdown of 12% of refineries; shipping/logistics – New Orleans’s port closed for weeks and traffic disruption; fishing and agriculture – loss of sugar cane crop (40%) and rice production, long term damage to oyster beds and shrimp industry; hospitality and gaming – short and long term loss of convention business in New Orleans and temporary interruption of gaming activity in Mississippi; and small businesses – all business closed for some time and many never reopened (2006).   As for the fiscal impacts, for Louisiana, there were 15 % lost of its sales, income and valorem tax base which is about $ 5 billion revenue loss. Also, New Orleans dismissed half of its municipal workforce. For Texas, it became the primary destination for evacuees which estimated a $ 1 billion for the provision of education and healthcare for the evacuees. There was also minor loss to tax base. Finally for Mississippi, it lost 25 % of its tax base and not to mention that it is already the poorest state in the U.S. with per capita income below 30 % below national level (2006). Macroeconomic impact in the U.S. included higher energy prices – rising of gasoline prices, natural gas prices and utility bills; overall inflation – producer/consumer price rates doubled compared to last year and increase in transportation costs and building materials prices; national output or GDP; and widening of federal budget deficit (2006;  2005). Finally, global impacts include an increase in higher oil prices. Consequently, financial markets were affected as the storm was reported to destabilize impact on fast growing companies as well as an $ 80 billion loss to global insurance and reinsurance companies ( 2006). Environmental Implications Practically everyone is now aware of climate change and global warming. As there is occurrence of an extreme weather event such as hurricane Katrina, people wonder if it was caused by global warming. There has been so many assumptions that hurricanes will increase in frequency or intensity due to global warming, with higher wind speeds and greater precipitation (2006) According to Sir David King, British Government’s chief scientific adviser, “global warming may be responsible for the devastation reaped by hurricane Katrina” (2005). It must be noted that scientists lack a detailed explanation for the effects of global warming in hurricane trends. However, in general, according to scientists and researchers, it makes sense that higher temperatures may increase hurricane strength. Heat is energy and energy is what drives hurricanes (2005). According to   (2006), the frequency of hurricanes has not risen on average over the long term. Nevertheless, many scientists believe and claim that global warming will cause more intense hurricanes as rising sea surface temperatures offer energy for the intensification of storms. A recently published MIT study in Nature offers the first data analysis revealing that tropical storms are undeniably becoming more powerful and intense over time ( 2006) Furthermore, (2006) states that increasing ocean temperatures may very well influence tracks of hurricanes. Meaning, there is an increase in probability of hurricanes trailing through the Caribbean or making landfall on the east coast of United States. It must be noted though that this phenomenon is not yet very well comprehended; however, it was found out that a trail of unusually deep and warm water appears to have led hurricane Katrina right directly to the Gulf Coast when it hit Louisiana and Mississippi ( 2006).               Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

Hurricane Katrina: Effects, Impacts and Implications

Hurricane Katrina: Effects, Impacts and Implications On August 28-29, 2005, the news of hurricane Katrina hit the whole worl...

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