Hurricane Katrina
Taylor Sanchez
Mr. Gloyd
February 2, 2009
Period 3 and 4


Abstract

This expository feature article is about the event that occurred in New Orleans on August 29, 2005. It will explain the destruction, the health problems, and other issues that occurred after this event.

Hurricane Katrina

On August 29, 2005 a major natural disaster struck the city of New Orleans, a catastrophe named Hurricane Katrina. This tragic event caused so much destruction in major roads in and out that it left the city completely destroyed. Among this devastating event other problems developed immediately after the damage, for instance, looting, violence, and other criminal activities. Because of the flood there was an out break of health problems. After this, Governor Kathleen Blanco ordered a mandatory evacuation of all the remaining people in New Orleans. No doubt that this major event left behind a mark on the residents of New Orleans, and on those of us whom shared sympathetic emotions for those who were affected by this overwhelming occurrence.

Damage Caused

Hurricane Katrina caused major destruction to buildings and roads. Buildings had been destroyed and some were flooded up to 15 feet. People were even stuck in their attics because of the flooding. Major roads in and out of the city were either damaged or destroyed. The superdome also sustained damage, including two sections of the roof. The damage was horrific.

In The Aftermath

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina there was looting, violence, and other criminal activities. Because police were busy evacuating the citizens, people started looting. Some people looted in broad daylight and in the presence of police officers. City Councilwoman Jackie Clarkson said, “We’re using exhausted, scarce police to control looting when they should be used for search and rescue while we still have people on rooftops.” Police officers could do little to stop the crimes, and shopkeepers who remained behind were left to defend their property alone.

Health Issues

There was a concern that the flooding would lead to an out break of health problems for those who remained in the city. Adding to dehydration and food poisoning, there was also potential for the spread of hepatitis A, cholera, tuberculosis, and typhoid fever all related to the growing contamination of food and drinking water. The people remaining could also face long term health problems due to mosquito born diseases such as yellow fever, malaria, and West Nile Virus. The emergency triage center was set up at an airport and some people described it as “organized chaos”. On September 6, E. coli was detected in the water supply, and five people were thought to have died from this.

Evacuation

Because of health problems people had to be evacuated. Many of the survivors were bussed to the Reliant Astrodome in Houston, Texas. Houston had agreed to shelter an additional 25,000 evacuees, way more than those admitted into the astrodome. “We were just a bunch of rats,” said Earle Young one of the survivors waiting for a bus to take him to Houston. By September 1, Governor Blanco reported that the number of evacuees in the superdome was down to 2,500, but by evening there were 10,000 more people. Survivors were still being evacuated until there were no more.

My Opinion

In my opinion we all agree that Hurricane Katrina was a tragic event. There were many issues such as health problems, looting and violence. Despite the circumstances the residents of New Orleans were able to get through it the destructive hardship.

References

Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia “Effects of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans.”
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effect%20of%20Hurricane%20Katrina%20on%20New%20Orleans>

Rainey, James and Rosenblatt, Susannah. “Katrina Takes Toll on Truth, News Accuracy.” Los Angeles Times. 27 Sept. 2005.

Sontag, Deborah and Treaster, Joseph B. “Despair and Lawlessness Grip New Orleans as Thousand Remain Stranded in Squalor.” New York Times. 2 Sept. 2005.

“Katrina: The Storm We Always Feared.” The Times-Picayune.
http://www.nola.com/katrina/

Gomez, Liseth. Personal interview January 21, 2009