Hurricane Katrina Rescue Efforts - Term Paper Example

On 25th August 2005, the landfall took place in Florida and was estimated to be of category 1. As it was moving towards the tip of Florida winds were observed to lower down but then it again gained the force when it moved ahead to Mexico. Increased force was observed through the movement of Katrina as it was travelling towards west and then North. The conditions of atmosphere and surface of the sea turned the storm into a disastrous hurricane by 26th afternoon. The force of the hurricane continued and attained utmost wind speed on 28TH August and further reached to the category 4 level when reached to south on 29th August regardless of dry air.

(Vigdor 136) Hurricane Katrina-The Impacts Hurricane Katrina was one of the strongest storms in United States thus it caused extraordinary terrible destructions all over the states of the Gulf Coast. Loss of Life When the first landfall of Katrina took place its strength was of category 1and 11 deaths were noted at that time. It then extended to category 5 where actual number of deaths is still unknown but reported 1836 by some reports. While 705 people are reportedly missing since then. (Petterson 645) Floods The blend of tough winds, storm and heavy rains caused crack in the earthen levee leaving New Orleans under 20ft of flood water.

Other cities also face about 20-30ft of flood till days after the landfall. (Petterson 648) Economy Oil industry faced a lot of distraction because the oil assembly in Mexico was abridged by 95% per day due to which gasoline prices reached its peak. On the other hand people lost their properties too and it was reported that $81 billion is the cost of property scratches. Thousands of people were left unemployed after the Hurricane.(Petterson 651) Power Loss More than 1.7 million citizens were facing power shortage till several weeks and it was not possible to repair it due to the effects of disastrous hurricane.

(Petterson 653) Loss of Infrastructure Katrina Hurricane caused airports to be flooded, bridges were destroyed, small roads were underwater and highways were not in a condition to be crossed. The condition was unbearable and people were badly stuck as there was no way out. (Petterson 655) Hurricane Katrina-Relief Efforts United States’ Government, people of United States and the Governments of other countries jointly participated in the relief efforts of the Hurricane. More than ten thousand volunteers served not only at the time of rescuing people but even after the hurricane when shelters were set up in many states for the effected people.

More than 15000 people were houseless and needed shelter and food. (Vigdor 137) At the time of landfall around 34000 people were rescued in New Orleans by the Coast Guard, citizens’ leaded boats and tendered shelter, water and food to the people.(Vigdor 139). Federal Emergency Management was however not well prepared for the disaster but prepared shelters in various states for the refugees later on and made all possible efforts in order to fulfill their needs. Donations were provided by more than 70 countries across the world in order to provide relief assistance to the effected people.

The largest donation of $500 million was made by the government of Qatar while others also contributed whole heartedly. (Vigdor 149). Disaster Medical Assistance Team was formed in Atlanta and Houston.