Does the Hurricane Katrina story exhibit the distinguishing features of a crisis, as defined in the introductory essay you read from the Howitt and Leonard text this week?
Howitt and Leonard (2009), in their segment on Hurricane Katrina, depicts in detail the features of New Orleans in emergency crisis in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. A hurricane crisis which eventually escalated into a natural catastrophe as the storm's destructive winds and rain resulted in the rupture of the levees that had protected New Orleans from the waters of Lake Pontchartrain. According to observers, Hurricane Katrina engulfed 90,000 square-mile disaster zone — equivalent to the area of Great Britain. Hence, it is not surprising that Hurricane Katrina led to numerous death, enormous physical and psychological suffering of the people in New Orleans.
Additionally, the plight of residents of the New Orleans was further compounded by poor crisis management by both the local and federal authorities; as the devastating effect of the hurricane unfolded and the horrific images of the devastation transmitted throughout the country and …show more content…
Unfortunately, not only did the hurricane lead to the enormous destruction of properties, loss of lives, but it also had a great negative impact on the economy of New Orleans and the country in its entirety. Furthermore, the Images and stories of the Hurricane Katrina Victims will forever be remembered as the hurricane that tested the preparedness of the country for local disasters. Although, the handling of the crisis was a dismal failure, hopefully, the lessons learned from the crisis will help save lives in the
Howitt and Leonard (2009), in their segment on Hurricane Katrina, depicts in detail the features of New Orleans in emergency crisis in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. A hurricane crisis which eventually escalated into a natural catastrophe as the storm's destructive winds and rain resulted in the rupture of the levees that had protected New Orleans from the waters of Lake Pontchartrain. According to observers, Hurricane Katrina engulfed 90,000 square-mile disaster zone — equivalent to the area of Great Britain. Hence, it is not surprising that Hurricane Katrina led to numerous death, enormous physical and psychological suffering of the people in New Orleans.
Additionally, the plight of residents of the New Orleans was further compounded by poor crisis management by both the local and federal authorities; as the devastating effect of the hurricane unfolded and the horrific images of the devastation transmitted throughout the country and …show more content…
Unfortunately, not only did the hurricane lead to the enormous destruction of properties, loss of lives, but it also had a great negative impact on the economy of New Orleans and the country in its entirety. Furthermore, the Images and stories of the Hurricane Katrina Victims will forever be remembered as the hurricane that tested the preparedness of the country for local disasters. Although, the handling of the crisis was a dismal failure, hopefully, the lessons learned from the crisis will help save lives in the