There were many impacts and consequences on the physical and human environments, socially, economically and environmentally.
Economical Consequences
Usually hurricanes do not cause much economic effect, however hurricane Katrina was different. According to the Bureau of Economic Crisis (BEA), the overall economic impact of hurricane Katrina was estimated to be about 150 billion dollars. Immidiately after the Hurricane economic activity that would usually occur in New Orleans had to get directed to other locations. This impact will be felt all over America as tens of thousands of conferences, vacations, sporting events, etc. will have to find new venues. None of this will be new economic activity - it merely diverts existing economic activity to new locations, which will be a boon for those locations.
The fuel prices after Katrina sky rocketed. Naturally, this caused a slow in economic activity, as oil is used in all sorts of manufacturing processes and as a means of getting goods from the producer to the consumer. Many companies decided that some goods were just not worth the additional cost to produce and ship - causing the output to fall.The major factors that contributed to such an extensive economic impact were fallouts of oil supply, food export, tourism and other forms of trade and business. Higher gas prices also caused people to drive less, which had the beneficial side effect of helping countries such as Canada come closer to meeting their Kyoto obligations. When reconstruction began there was a massive demand on the construction industry as there supplies and services were greatly needed. This will also benifit Canada's economy as there will be a large requirement of softwood lumber and steel manufacturers.
The economic activity as a whole did not increase that dramatically as the money that was spent on reconstruction ect would have been spent in other areas.
Environmental Consequences
The longest lasting effects from hurricane Katrina were the threats on human health and environmental damage. The industrial wastes, spills, household sewage, toxic chemicals and other hazardous pollutants had swept to the directly hit areas as well as neighboring regions. The contaminated floodwater that overflowed the residential areas caused long-term health effects on humans, animals and other inhabitants of the area. Unfortunately the major source of drinking water, the ground water reserves, were polluted serverly. Studies revealed that the water samples of floodwater contain high amounts of E. coli bacteria, medical waste, sewage, oil, toxic lead, hexavalent chromium and arsenic along with particulate matter. All household water pipes were replaced and repaired to prevent severe health complications.
Hurricane Katrina certainly did a good job of completely ruining many people's lives forever.
Some of the major effects Katrina caused were:
- 80% of New Orleanes was flooded
- The levees broke in four places
- 20% of the marsh land was flooded
- It serverly damaged New Orleanes.
- Roads were destroyed or flooded
- Electricity supplies were destroyed
Even though Katrina caused such disasterous effects, it certainly brought alot of people together. When tragedies like this happen people from all over the world open their hearts and wallets and attempt to help as much as they can. We need to be greatful that we live in a country like Australia where disasters like this rarely happen.
Social Consequences
Over 1800 people lost their lives in this natural disaster. In addition to this, hundreds, if not thousands, were left without homes, jobs and social security. Many people who suffered thorugh and survived hurricane Katrina suffered from emotional and psychological stress.
There were many short term and long term effects. For many people the long term effects were:
- coping with the fact there lives will never be the same again
- dealing with grief and mourning the loss of family and friends
- rebuilding their homes The short term effects were:
- getting clean food and water
- trying to find family and friends
- keeping hygenic
- trying to find a new job
Economical Consequences
Usually hurricanes do not cause much economic effect, however hurricane Katrina was different. According to the Bureau of Economic Crisis (BEA), the overall economic impact of hurricane Katrina was estimated to be about 150 billion dollars. Immidiately after the Hurricane economic activity that would usually occur in New Orleans had to get directed to other locations. This impact will be felt all over America as tens of thousands of conferences, vacations, sporting events, etc. will have to find new venues. None of this will be new economic activity - it merely diverts existing economic activity to new locations, which will be a boon for those locations.
The fuel prices after Katrina sky rocketed. Naturally, this caused a slow in economic activity, as oil is used in all sorts of manufacturing processes and as a means of getting goods from the producer to the consumer. Many companies decided that some goods were just not worth the additional cost to produce and ship - causing the output to fall.The major factors that contributed to such an extensive economic impact were fallouts of oil supply, food export, tourism and other forms of trade and business. Higher gas prices also caused people to drive less, which had the beneficial side effect of helping countries such as Canada come closer to meeting their Kyoto obligations. When reconstruction began there was a massive demand on the construction industry as there supplies and services were greatly needed. This will also benifit Canada's economy as there will be a large requirement of softwood lumber and steel manufacturers.
The economic activity as a whole did not increase that dramatically as the money that was spent on reconstruction ect would have been spent in other areas.
Environmental Consequences
The longest lasting effects from hurricane Katrina were the threats on human health and environmental damage. The industrial wastes, spills, household sewage, toxic chemicals and other hazardous pollutants had swept to the directly hit areas as well as neighboring regions. The contaminated floodwater that overflowed the residential areas caused long-term health effects on humans, animals and other inhabitants of the area. Unfortunately the major source of drinking water, the ground water reserves, were polluted serverly. Studies revealed that the water samples of floodwater contain high amounts of E. coli bacteria, medical waste, sewage, oil, toxic lead, hexavalent chromium and arsenic along with particulate matter. All household water pipes were replaced and repaired to prevent severe health complications.
Hurricane Katrina certainly did a good job of completely ruining many people's lives forever.
Some of the major effects Katrina caused were:
- 80% of New Orleanes was flooded
- The levees broke in four places
- 20% of the marsh land was flooded
- It serverly damaged New Orleanes.
- Roads were destroyed or flooded
- Electricity supplies were destroyed
Even though Katrina caused such disasterous effects, it certainly brought alot of people together. When tragedies like this happen people from all over the world open their hearts and wallets and attempt to help as much as they can. We need to be greatful that we live in a country like Australia where disasters like this rarely happen.
Social Consequences
Over 1800 people lost their lives in this natural disaster. In addition to this, hundreds, if not thousands, were left without homes, jobs and social security. Many people who suffered thorugh and survived hurricane Katrina suffered from emotional and psychological stress.
There were many short term and long term effects.
For many people the long term effects were:
- coping with the fact there lives will never be the same again
- dealing with grief and mourning the loss of family and friends
- rebuilding their homes
The short term effects were:
- getting clean food and water
- trying to find family and friends
- keeping hygenic
- trying to find a new job