Environmental 5

Hurricane Katrina was a seminal catastrophic event that exposed a number of weaknesses in our disaster response and recovery capabilities for natural and man-made disasters. These weaknesses arose following 9/11, the reorganization of FEMA into the new DHS caused by 9/11, and the government focus on the terrorist threat. In this lesson, we learned that major catastrophes like Katrina require a disaster response and recovery capability that is both disciplined and agile. Recently, Hurricane Harvey, also a major Category 4 storm, impacted the Gulf Coast, not too far from where Hurricane Katrina made landfall.

How was the outcome of this hurricane response and recovery effort different from the outcome of Katrina? Based on what you have learned, would you have suggested anything about the response efforts be done differently?

Your journal entry must be at least 200 words. No references or citations are necessary.