Nicole Liddick
Natural Disasters – SCI200
Spring2016
Week 4 – Assignment
1. Hurricane Katrina was a storm that hit the south with a force to be reckoned with. It devastated
a lot of the south and its impact is still left behind until this very day. This was one storm that
caused a lot of people to turn against the local and federal governments. While researching stuff
in regards to this natural disaster, I was in shock at the things that I was reading about how this
storm was handled. This storm was not handled well at all. Which causes me to question our
government and their actions. I am still confused as to why we are so quick to want to help other
countries, but are unable to help ourselves. This saying is very true, “In order to properly help
others, you must be able to help yourselves.” People in the south are still homeless and parts of
St. Louis are still not rebuilt, but we are willing to help people escape from the arms of ISIS.
Why? This one article listed everything what was not done properly and caused a big mess. This
issued include:
Weather forecasters warned the government officials about Katrina’s approach
way ahead of time and they did not prepare for this storm like you would think
they would.
Hurricane Katrina exposed the failures in America’s disaster preparedness and
response systems.
Federal officials had given faulty information to the public, and nobody knew
their roles in the disaster.
Issues with communication due to equipment failures even though FEMA has
been giving grants to state and local governments for these systems to be
upgraded ever since the Cold War. So where is this money going?
Took days to deliver supplies to affected areas because they didn’t have nowhere
near enough supply ready to go.
Nicole Liddick
Natural Disasters – SCI200
Spring2016
Week 4 – Assignment
Government officials were slow on the clean-up after Hurricane Katrina. Bodies
went uncollected for days because they were indecisive in a plan for body
recovery.
FEMA turned away doctor’s volunteering their time to help out with the injured
and sick. WHY?
FEMA denied The Red Cross access to the Superdome in New Orleans to deliver
supplies. WHY?
FEMA turned away Walmart trucks that were loaded with water for the victims
and prevented the Coast Guard from delivering diesel fuel. WHY?
Unfortunately, I don’t think any of these whys will ever be answered. Our government really
needs to focus on the things that really need done to help our country. What’s even more