Federal, State, and Local Response to Hurricane Katrina

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and definitions related to the response to Hurricane Katrina.

Federal Government

The national level of government, led by the President, providing resources and coordination in emergencies.

Hurricane Katrina

A devastating hurricane that struck the Gulf Coast in August 2005, leading to significant federal, state, and local response challenges.

State of Emergency

A declaration made to activate emergency response measures, such as President Bush's declaration for Louisiana on August 27.

National Guard

A reserve military force that was deployed in response to Hurricane Katrina, limited by resources in Iraq.

FEMA

Federal Emergency Management Agency, responsible for coordinating disaster response and providing assistance during emergencies.

Evacuation Order

A mandate issued to citizens to leave an area for safety, exemplified by New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin's order on August 28.

Coordination Problems

Issues with communication and cooperation between federal, state, and local authorities during the hurricane response.

Long-term Recovery

Efforts to rebuild and recover from a disaster, overseen by the federal government post-Katrina with the Gulf Coast Recovery Office.

Resource Shortages

A lack of essential supplies such as food, water, and medical care during the initial response to Katrina.

Leadership Scrutiny

Intense public and media criticism of leaders like Mayor Nagin and FEMA Director Michael Brown for their emergency response actions.