Category 4 5 1 example essay topic

372 words
I. This disaster appears to have been made far far worse than it could have been by a number of factors: A. The Hurricane was a Category 4/5.1. We are in a bad hurricane cycle that will last another 20 years. 2. Global warming might contribute to hurricane intensity, but this is most likely political dogma in the case of Katrina. 3. Levee system (see C) was designed for Category 3 max. B. The precarious location of New Orleans.

1. Surrounded by water on three sides. 2.70% below sea level and slowly 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 two acres per hour (yeah I know that's pretty stunning - I got it from National Geographic). D. A lack of funding for the levee system and for marshland protection. 1. Has never been fully funded. Bush's cuts have made it worse.

2. Several hundred million required to exp land and maintain levee system. Bush cut funding to about 1/4 to 1/2 what was needed. 3. $14 Billion requested over 30 years for marshland restoration.

Bush cut back to $2 Billion over 10 years. E. Failure in FEMA planning. 1. Partly due to incompetence. 2. Partly due to reorganization woes after 9/11.

Focus shifted to terrorist attacks, natural disaster re leif de-emphasised. 3. FEMA incorporated into DHS, adding to red tape. F. Louisiana National Guard in Iraq fighting 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. H. Many people decided to ride hurricane out even though they had means to leave city. Did not understand magnitude of storm. I. Failure to plan on part of state and local government. 1. This disaster was long considered an imminent threat. 2. Should have had plan ready to help evacuate people before storm hit, drawing buses from all parts of state.