Hazard at a local scale

Introduction

• New Orleans is a city in Louisiana situated on the River Delta by the Mississippi - this area is subjected to fluctuations in river levels and storm surges.

• Katrina was category 5 and occurred in 2005.

Nature of the hazard

• winds → category 5 with winds peaking at 175mph.

• pressure → low pressure atmospheric system created widespread storm surges.

• storm surges → reached the coast up to 20 feet high, especially near Mississippi Gulf Coast, overwhelming levees, causing them to collapse completely. Allowed more water to enter New Orleans, flooding 80% of the city of depths up to 6m high.

• rainfall → intense rainfall with some areas experiencing 8-10 inches.

Social character of Uptown

• access to community’s resources allowed for faster rebuilding efforts.

• National Hurricane Centre sent warnings of evacuations as wealthier residents had access to private transportations like cars.

Economic character of Uptown

• private insurance and resources led to quick economic recovery.

• Uptown is elevated, situated 4m above Gentilly - no flooding maintained properties with average prices of $400,000.

Political character of Uptown

• despite the government’s slow efforts, private funding supported local recovery.

Social character of Gentilly

• recovery was slow for low-income families due to limited access to evacuation and transportation.

• post-Katrina insurance policies impossible to purchase as companies refused to provide them - led to 22% population decrease.

Economic character of Gentilly

• economic hardship was prevalent - flooding wiped out businesses and homes in predominantly middle-class and lower-class neighbourhoods.

• Katrina caused Gentilly to flood up to 3m - damaged properties that averaged $230,000, often occupied by low-income African Americans.

• displaced residents struggled to return due to housing shortages and rising living costs.

Political character of Gentilly

• community relied heavily on federal aid and grassroot efforts - but programs like the Road Home Program often fell short, due to insufficient funds to rebuild homes at current costs.

• Government recovery allowed for rebuilding stronger levee systems, but many policies neglected marginalised communities, deepening social inequalities.

Hazard’s affect on property values

• some property values in Uptown increased as demand for homes in less flood-prone areas grew.

• redevelopment efforts in Uptown attracted new investments, further contrasting with the stagnation in Gentilly.

• extensive flood damage in Gentilly meant homes were abandoned for years.

Hazard’s affect on racial segregation

• many African Americans left New Orleans permanently, leading to a decline from 67% (pre-Katrina) to around 59% (by 2010), reinforcing racial segregation in surrounding areas and suburbs.

• African Americans hardest hit in the Lower Ninth Ward due to levee breaches along the Industrial Canal, with many lacking cars for evacuation = higher death/displacement rates.