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Article Series: Hurricanes
Hurricane Facts, Tips and Safety Protocols
Hurricane
Katrina: The Environmental Effects
It would be difficult to overstate the extent of
the devastation Hurricane Katrina inflicted on the Gulf Coast of the
United States. It stands at the most costly hurricane
ever to hit the US, and one of the deadliest. The mega-storm
caused incredible damage as far as 100 miles away from
the center. At least 1,800 people lost their lives in
the storm and its aftermath; officials suspect we will
never know the true number as many bodies were likely
washed out to sea. Over 80% of New Orleans was under
water by the time the storm passed, and over 700,000
homes were destroyed along the Louisiana, Mississippi,
and Alabama coasts. Hurricane Katrina did not only devastate
people’s lives, however. The environmental effects of
the storm were severe and will have long lasting ramifications
for the Gulf Coast.
The beach erosion caused by Hurricane Katrina literally obliterated
beaches and entire islands. The areas affect by Hurricane Katrina
had already been weakened by Hurricane Ivan a year earlier,
and the toll caused by Katrina completely changed the landscape.
The Chandeleur Islands, off the coast of Louisiana, no longer
exist after Hurricane Katrina, and the famous lighthouse on
those islands was destroyed. Erosion from Hurricane Georges
in 1998 had previously all but obliterated the island, but
they had reformed by the time Katrina hit. Since Katrina, geological
studies have shown that the islands are not reforming. The
islands will disappear from the map forever within a few decades
if the movement of the sand does not change. These islands
were barrier islands, which provided a natural form of protection
for the mainland from flooding waves and storm surges. Without
these islands, the next Katrina will only be worse. Beach erosion
also lessens the distance of houses from the ocean, increasing
the potential for water damage with even weaker storms. Additionally,
the disappearing beaches have a negative impact on the important
tourism industry in the area.
Tidal marsh land was also flooded during the storm. The marsh
land, and the land lost to beach erosion, was land that was
used as a breeding ground for many marine animals. Ducks, pelicans,
and turtles all lost their safe havens through Hurricane Katrina.
It is estimated that 20% of the flooded marsh land is permanently
lost, a blow to both animal life and the human interests in
the surrounding area. Tidal marsh land provides yet another
natural barrier against flood water. The loss of this land
puts more people at risk of damaging flooding.
Lake Pontchartrain also may have been permanently damaged
as an effect of Hurricane Katrina. To get the water out of
the flooded New Orleans, the water was simply pumped back into
the Lake. The problem is, by the time it was all pumped back
in, 43 days later, that water was contaminated with raw sewage,
chemical, bacteria from decomposing bodies, and 6.5 millions
of gallons of oil. Scientists expect to see a massive loss
of fish life in the lake for years to come, and the risk to
humans who swim in the lake has yet to be understood.
The rebuilding of the Gulf Coast is a contentious issue, which
may be counted as another environmental impact of the storm.
In a rush to rebuild, the government has lifted permit restrictions
on marsh land for building companies, allowing even more valuable
marsh land to be lost. Many residents, who have been fighting
this development for years, are outraged their disaster has
provided an open window for companies to destroy this land.
The true environmental effects from Hurricane Katrina may not
be known for a generation or more, until the next storm blows
through.
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by SolveYourProblem.com
: 2007
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