Abstract
The paper presents an assessment of selected issue fronts concerning Hurricane Katrina, focusing on human and environmental issues. The paper discusses the ineffective response of government agencies, notably Homeland Security and FEMA. It also highlights the physical facts of a hurricane.

From the Paper
"When Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans in August and September the response of government agencies was ineffective and became politically controversial . The winds of the Category storm did great damage and the city's flood-control and energy ..."

Tags:Hurricane Katrina, FEMA, Homeland Security

disaster planning, government

environment

Abstract
The paper looks at how the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was criticized for the amount of the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina, its lack of an evacuation plan and its poor response after the storm. The paper provides recommendations for the DHS and relates that the organization's lack of help for people to evacuate seems to be what most people see as the major failing of the DHS. The paper concludes that the pre-disaster response appears to be the area on which the department should focus.

From the Paper
"It is no secret that many people believe the National Response Plan (NRP) failed drastically during and after Hurricane Katrina hit Louisiana in 2005. This plan was created by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to be implemented when just such a disaster occurred. The Department of Homeland Security is designed to protect the country against various threats. Most notably, though, it is designed to protect the United States from terrorism on American soil. This particular department was created after the terrorist attacks that took place on September 11, 2001. It is a cabinet-level post and the need for it was seen after the attacks."

Tags:evacuation, natural, disasters, preparedness, storms

Abstract
A category-4 hurricane named Katrina exploded onto land August 29th, damaging large parts of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. With 145-mph winds, huge storm surges and torrential rains that flooded whole towns, Katrina left hundreds dead or missing, more than one million others temporarily homeless, and caused at least $25 billion in damage. This paper relates that many of the people in the affected areas who died could have been saved and the damage could have been less devastating if the government's response had been planned with more awareness and sensitivity of the known destruction of hurricanes. The paper contends that Hurricane Katrina changed the Gulf Coast area forever because local authorities did not establish better communication systems with other government departments for help before the storm hit and because superior evacuation policies were not set up in the cities that would be most affected. The paper also examines how President Bush and his cabinet were not fully prepared to deal with the high level of responsiveness that was needed for the residents of the affected areas.

From the Paper
"The communication between all government divisions was so badly executed that Federal and State officials have blamed each other for the disastrously poor response in New Orleans and neighboring states. Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco and New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin have blamed the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for the slow response. Federal officials said that initial evacuation and hurricane preparation plans were the responsibility of Louisiana and New Orleans authorities. Also, the Feds blame those officials for not asking for the help of the federal government soon enough, and for not being more specific when they eventually requested help. It was not a matter of pointing fingers and worrying about who was responsible for handling the preparation of the evacuation; it was a matter of helping the people of New Orleans and assisting them in the evacuation, which again shows that the law enforcement was not prepared as well as they should have been to minimize the damage and destruction of the hurricane. "

Tags:evacuation, president, bush, emergency

Abstract
The paper discusses the failure of the system in New Orleans to provide for mental health services after Katrina and shows how communities need to go beyond focusing on the provision of basic needs during disasters to pay attention to grief and mental health issues. The paper presents a disaster plan that includes the need to establish mental health services as soon after the disaster as possible, the need to assess the capacity of local agencies that are already in existence, the role of partnerships, memorials and rituals and the identification of at-risk populations.

Outline:
Resolving Katrina Grief
Community Action Perspective

From the Paper
"Grief is a natural part of loss. Of course, the first actions that were taken on a community level have to do with preservation of life and the provision of necessities. However, once, the "crisis" is over and basic needs have been met, it is time to focus on the emotional needs of the community. In a natural disaster like Katrina, grief is a shared experience. Providing grief support is an essential part of the community plan. Although, most will recover without any intervention and be able to return to normal in a few weeks, approximately 4-5% will develop more serious symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) (National Center for PTSD, 2005) In addition, about 9% of the victims will develop more serious chronic grief symptoms (National Center for PTSD, 2005). This is why community response to grief is so important. The goal of community action is to reduce the incidence of long-term grief symptoms.
"After Katrina, New Orleans was virtually paralyzed, with their best-made plans floating away with the rising water. Once the immediate danger was over, the grief for those that had lost loved ones and their homes set in. Shock puts emotions in hold so that the body can deal with the immediate crisis (Frantz, 2005). A priority is placed on basic needs, but once the crisis is over and the initial shock begins to fade, the first emotion that many experience is anger (Frantz, 2005). For Katrina victims, this meant community-wide anger and a community-wide grief reaction. The anger eventually leads to the sadness that represents the next stage of grief (Frantz, 2005)."

Tags:trauma, partnerships, memorials, rituals

Abstract
This paper examines the implementation of emergency plans in response to the disaster of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. According to the paper, the implementation of this plan has been widely recognized within the discipline of planning as being inadequate to the task at hand. This case study considers both the weaknesses and the strengths of the implementation of the NRP in New Orleans and Louisiana in August and September 2005.

From the Paper
"This case study concerns the implementation of the National Response Plan (NRP) under the National Incident Management System (NIMS) of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) of the United States government in response to the disaster of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The implementation of this plan has been widely recognized within the discipline of planning as being inadequate to the task at hand. This case study will examine both the weaknesses and the strengths of the implementation of the NRP in New..."

Tags:katrina, disaster, plan

Abstract
This paper analyzes the impacts of Hurricane Katrina on labor markets and her effects on both local and national economies. The author explains the sources of information, statistics and research methodology, and finds that although an increased demand for labor after Katrina resulted in increased wages and resulted in improved economic conditions in the south for some, this was short-lived. The findings of the research showed that there are jobs available, but those that are available are low paying jobs and only in certain sectors. The author examines the obstacles New Orleans faced in rebuilding the economy as well as how Katrina affected the economy of the U.S. In closing, the author relates how Katrina can serve as a lesson for better preparations for local and national economies of the U.S in the future. The paper suggests contingency plans and urges more research to be done to analyze what businesses can actually do in the real world to prepare for disaster.

Outline:
Chapter 1: Overall Impact of Hurricane Katrina on Labor Markets in Affected Areas the Effects on Local and the National Economy
Rationale
Research Methodology
Study Results
Chapter 2: Economies (Local/National) Overall Ability to Bounce Back After Katrina
Background
Study Results
Chapter 3: Other Keys Issues that Have Affected the Economy since 2005
Background
Chapter 4: Valuable Lessons from Business and Economic Standpoints, and Preparation for Our Local and National Economies In The Future
Background
References

From the Paper
"When Hurricane Katrina slammed into the Gulf coast, it left behind many lasting affects. Aside from the horrendous loss of life, the Hurricane left behind devastation and destruction of unprecedented amounts. There are two primary arguments concerning the impact of Katrina on employment and the Labor Market in the south and in the nation. The first scenario only considers the loss of business in the area. The other considers the need to rebuild, creating a surge in the construction industry. This research will explore both sides of the labor market issue in the wake of Katrina. The following will present an overview of secondary research related to this specific research question and will explore the rationale for the development of the research technique."

Tags:natural disasters, labor employment businesses

Abstract
In this article, the writer discusses assessment and planning relating to natural disasters. The writer discusses that prior to Hurricane Katrina, the City of New Orleans was full of levees that were poorly constructed due to "poor planning and botched contract work". Thus, when the Hurricane hit, the levees were overrun and collapsed, causing canals to flood into neighborhoods, thereby destroying everything in its wake. This natural disaster was physically devastating to the New Orleans area and emotionally devastating to the country.

From the Paper
"Unfortunately, flooding and natural disasters in the United States are not uncommon. On August 29, 2005, hurricane Katrina devastated the New Orleans area causing the drainage canals to collapse turning neighborhoods into lakes, with 80 percent of the city flooded (Times-Picayune 2005, as cited in Johnson 132). Almost 288,000 people were left homeless, and many are now living in trailers provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency."

Tags:planning, assessment, flood

Abstract
This paper defines what is meant by first responders, disasters and the criteria for declaring a disaster that requires federal assistance. The paper relates some of the federal responsibilities of the HLT (Hurricane Liaison Team), which is a venture between FEMA and the National Hurricane Center (NHC). The paper also reports that if FEMA functions properly in these disasters, then suffering will be mitigated and the eventual recovery will be hastened.

From the Paper
"The WHO Question: Who is affected- who makes up the majority of the effected population? Are these people who speak English or will translators be needed? Are these disaster- educated people who understand how to help immobilized? Is the eye of the disaster area in a place where there are individuals who cannot help, such as an assisted living, or an orphanage?
"The WHERE question: Where is the eye of the storm and main disaster area? Where has been hardest hit? Is the location currently accessible, or waterlogged and only air evacuations are possible?"

Tags:fema, first responders, hurricane katrina, declaration planning

Abstract
The paper considers how communities in general and northwest Florida in particular can clean up debris following a hurricane. The paper also touches on the issues of health hazards and flooding, and communications problems.

From the Paper
"Hurricanes and tornadoes have made headlines in recent years as the devastation left in their wakes is broadcast around the nation and even around the world. Hurricanes in particular make for spectacular news programs because of the large area covered by these natural disasters and the surrealist nature of the damage that is caused. Boats and ships come loose from their moorings for example, and can end up miles inland. The images of the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina remain fresh in people's minds with..."

Tags:hurricane, Katrina, disasters, disaster planning, Hugo, Andrew, debris, cleanup

Abstract
This paper discusses the impact that disasters have on infrastructure in a networked world. It analyzes disasters that are technological such as the 2003 Blackout, intentional such as the September 11th terrorist attacks and natural such as Hurricane Katrina. The paper shows, through these disasters, how the networked nature of our critical infrastructure systems has made disaster planning and preparation that much more difficult.

From the Paper
"The critical infrastructures in the world, and in the U.S. in particular, have become increasingly dependent on one another. Disasters that singly affect one critical infrastructure will have cascading negative effects for all of the other interdependent infrastructures. In those cases in which energy infrastruc-tures are damaged from the outset, the impacts on the rest of the network of in-terdependent systems and infrastructures are especially dramatic. Without ac-cess to energy, recovery after any disaster is difficult and since all infrastruc-tures depend on energy inputs in one form or another, the collapse of an energy infrastructure can be especially devastating. Nonetheless, the important lesson to retain from these disasters discussed above is that all of our existing critical infrastructures are increasingly dependent on each other to operate and, as a re-sult, increasingly susceptible to collapse and damage as a result of seemingly unrelated disasters."

Tags:recovery, planning, devastation