Effects of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans

The summer of 2005 was tragic and heartbreaking for residents that once lived in the gulf coast. New Orleans in particular was damaged the most by strong winds and massive flooding caused by Hurricane Katrina. Many still hang on to the memories they once had. Some try to forget, but for others the damage is still there. Not only did the victims or Hurricane Katrina lose their homes, belongings, and loved ones but they lost a piece of mind. Will these people ever get back what they lost through government funding, or will the city just stay worthless and trashed with nothing but devastating memories to haunt them every time they view their once called home? As tropical storm Katrina formed into a category five hurricane, all gulf coast residents were warned. “By August 28, evacuations were underway across the region. That day, the National Weather Service predicted that after the storm hit, “most of the [Gulf Coast] area will be uninhabitable for weeks…perhaps longer.” After the evacuation plan was announced, those that were able to leave before the storm did. Poor and less fortunate residents had to stay put for the horrible storm brewing just miles away. There were also the stubborn elderly that insisted on staying just because they survived “Hurricane Betsy” in 1965, but what they would soon come to realize is they would be putting themselves and their families in danger. While Katrina was unleashing its powerful storm on New Orleans and neighboring states, the levees built for keeping the city safe from water breeched on August 29th causing massive flooding and catastrophe. “By 9 a.m., low-lying places like St. Bernard Parish and the Ninth Ward were under so much water that people had to scramble to attics and rooftops for safety. Eventually, nearly 80 percent of the city was under some quantity of water” Even though parts of the highly effected areas were already qualified as below sea level, should those residents have been promised strong and