10 years ago the United States experienced the most costly and
one of the most lethal natural disasters in history when Hurricane Katrina
slammed into the Gulf Coast and the City of New Orleans. Between the dates of August 23rd
and August 31st, 2005, the world watched in disbelief as one of
America’s most iconic cities was submerged under water and chaos ensued.
Hurricane Katrina was a category 5 hurricane and the third strongest
storm to strike the United States. The
hurricane claimed over 1800 lives and caused $108 billion in damage. The greatest damage was to the City of New
Orleans.
Most of the City of New Orleans is actually under sea
level. Surrounding the city are a series
of
levees designed to retain the water from the Gulf Coast and Lake Pontchartrain. The damage to the city was not only caused by
the force of the hurricane, but by the flooding throughout the city after the
levees failed. Over 80% of the city was
flooded, up to 20 feet in some areas.
Prior to the hurricane, citizens were told to evacuate the
city. Unfortunately for nearly 60,000
residents, evacuation was not an option.
Many had nowhere to go and many lacked the financial means to leave the
area. As a result after the storm and
the flooding, thousands of New Orleans citizens were trapped. Federal and local disaster relief organizations,
including FEMA, were unprepared for such a catastrophe and these citizens spent
days isolated without food, clean water, or other facilities.
Without basic necessities, many turned to looting. Police responded with force and the chaos
grew. Finally after many days FEMA took charge
and coordinated with the Red Cross, National Guard and others to supply the
people with food and begin an evacuation of the city.
10 years later the city still shows the signs of Hurricane
Katrina. While many places in the city
have been restored to the greatness of the past, places such as the Lower 9th
Ward have had little restoration completed.
Even today, each year Bishop Kelly sends a group of students to New
Orleans to aid in the rebuilding effort.
Prior to the hurricane New Orleans had a population of
455,188. As of 2006, the population had
dropped to 208,548. As of 2013, the
population is 378,715, close to 80,000 lower than pre-hurricane population.
Prior to reading this and watching the video, what did you
know about Hurricane Katrina? What are
your thoughts about the event? If you
were a resident of New Orleans prior to Katrina, would you move back to the
city? Why or why not?
Prior to reading this post and watching the video I knew hardly anything about Hurricane Katrina. The reason being because of the fact that I was three when that storm occurred in Louisiana.
ReplyDeleteI can't even say what my thoughts about that event were. I mean, I can sit here and say I sympathize with those people but the truth is I wouldn't even begin to understand what it would be like to lose so much. Whether that be cherished possessions, family, friends, your home or all of the above. I can't imagine losing so much so fast. Hearing news like this does, however, remind me to show/express gratitude for all that I have and it reminds me to not get lazy or selfish. If I was a resident of New Orleans prior to Hurricane Katrina, and I was one of the lucky few to get out before the storm hit, I would most likely not go back. Not if there was nothing to go back to. The reason being because I would still have to start a new life even if I went back.
Even though I wouldn't live in New Orleans again, I would - after I was settled in my new home - go and help the people who were financially challenged. I would try my best to build new homes for those people and to donate money, food, and clothing. Although I've never been through an experience that devastating and tragic these kind of events do help us find ourselves, in the sense that it reminds us to always be thankful and to not take certain things for granted.
I agree with Anika. I was reminded how fortunate I am to have a home, a family, and a school. If you haven't been through a tragedy like that it is hard to understand how much those people are suffering, The best thing to do is to help those who were affected.
DeleteI agree as well! Not only was I reminded of how good I have it while watching this video, but I also would want to help others that went through a same or a worse situation. When you have it better than someone else, you should help them, because you know what kind of thing they are going through, and would better understand their needs.
DeleteI think your 'action plan' if you were in an event like Katrina was very admiral, and a desired plan of action. I think staying away from New Orleans would be my reaction to hurricane Katrina, but helping others would be a way to give back to your community afterwards, and advocate a selflessness that should be modeled.
DeleteAnika, I absoulutley see were your coming from. I was reading through the comments and in almost every one of them (mine included) there was something about community. What you said was true. Most of us don't understand what they went through. It's nearly impossible to imagine. You read my mind.
DeleteI agree 100% with you Anika. I also think that we have a lot to be grateful for, and should not take it for granted. Personally, I have never lived in an area where these natural disasters could occur, so I have no idea what that must be like. We all need to try not to belittle the topic.
DeleteBefore watching and reading this blog post I had very little knowledge about hurricane Katrina. I only knew that it was a devastating event that killed thousands of people and left many others homeless. I also knew that the city is still recovering after 10 years. I thought that this disaster was one of the most horrible things that has happened in our country. I understand that there have been other tropical storms that have hit the coast but it seems like this one was particularly bad.
ReplyDeleteIf I was a citizen of New Orleans after the hurricane I would not want to go back because too much of the city would remind me of the hurricane and I would rather go somewhere else and start over.
You mentioning the fact that it's been 10 years and the city still hasn't fully recovered, once again brings up how truly devastating the natural disaster was. It emphasizes how much work has to be put in when so much damage has was done. A decade is a long time, and all of the renovations needed still haven't been completed. Poor neighborhoods have lost in entire culture/community because the people that lived there didn't have the money to repair there homes.
DeleteI agree with you Sophie I would not be able to go back for similar reasons. I can see that it would be hard to leave, but it would be harder for me to stay.
DeleteI agree with Sophie because I would not be able to go back their because of what has happened with the Hurricane which caused so much damage. It would be hard to leave because you grew up there,It would be difficult for me to stay because I would be stressed out about what has happened to our country
DeleteI have heard of the effects of Hurricane Katrina, and I never really understood the entire story until after watching the video. I do, however, understand what it is like to loose your home for a very long period of time, because my house was destroyed by a fire a couple of years ago. One importance difference is that I had somewhere to go and I had people to immediately help me and my family. The survivors of Katrina had to watch their homes be destroyed, and couldn't do anything to help themselves or others. They were in some more serious trouble than I was. Maybe that's why after watching this video, I had a deeper understanding of how good I have it. No matter what kind of trouble I have faced, it doesn't compare to loosing as much as the survivors of Katrina lost. If I had been a citizen of New Orleans, I would begin a new life in a safer, different environment, such as Boise. After a few months or years of recovery, I think I would want to go back temporarily to help those survivors of the storm that lost more than I had, like maybe if their home wasn't rebuilt yet.
ReplyDeleteSo this video definitely had a big impact on my previous ideas of hurricane Katrina.
Your post further made me aware of what it was like to lose your home, and the events afterward, regarding Hurricane Katrina.
DeleteYour first-hand experience of losing a home really put an emphasis of how helpless the people of Katrina who lost their homes really were. With your experience of losing a home, as terrible as it was, had a happy ending with help being given immediately afterward. However, with the people of Katrina, help didn't come immediately, and in some cases, didn't come in weeks!
This just shows that little to no chance was given to the poorer people who had just lost the few resources that were given to them; but also the improvements made since that particular incident.
I really thought that you using your personal experience was awesome. People are so self-aware that sometimes we forget to be thankful for the amazing lives we have. You haven't forgotten that in this message and I respect that.
DeleteI agree with you Mia when you talk about how you had somewhere to go when you were in trouble. Those people who were there during Hurricane Katrina didn't evacuate because they didn't have enough money to go anywhere. And when the hurricane hit, they were trapped in their own city. I know if I was in that situation, things would seem hopeless and dismal for me.
Delete
DeleteMia-
From your personal experience, you probably had a different perspective on this topic than most of our classmates. I like how you incorporated that with this blog post, making it very unique. Great post.
Prior to reading this article and watching this video I knew a decent amount about Hurricane Katrina. I was aware that the majority of the damage occurred in New Orleans, Louisiana, and that the debacle was handed poorly- even with a disaster organization in place. Hurricane Katrina also effected states such as Texas, Mississippi, and caused damage even farther north.
ReplyDeleteI think that the event was terrible, and quite a travesty, but I also think that it opened the nation's eyes to how powerful natural disasters can be, but also that help needs to be given more swiftly to third-world countries that have less than ideal resources to defend themselves against even a partial tropical storm. Or, even worse, a hurricane's havoc.
I also think that this event aided in disseminating the importance of planning for these events, and establishing a plan of action in the case that it happens again. As an example, the levies that broke which consequentially flooded New Orleans are now being repaired everyday.
If I were a member of the city I would not move back because the fear of a similar event happening again. Living in a place like New Orleans you would accept a risk that an event like Katrina could occur... but you're never fully accepting it to happen. After you witness an event similar to what happened that threat would become a lot more real.
I agree that the storm showed the government the power of a natural disaster. It reminds us that we need to keep on top of maintenance when it comes to the machines that prevent the natural disasters from causing damage. As Mr. Grant said in class, they didn't keep the levies well maintained so the levies didn't last long in preventing Hurricane Katrina from overtaking New Orleans.
DeleteSimilarly to Anika, I think that this was a huge wake-up call for America. I did a little extra research and the American Government, especially the Bush administration, has put in over half a billion for hurricane protection, exclusively for Southern Louisiana.
DeleteI agree with your third paragraph that it really showed the U.S and New Orleans that they needed to do a better job next time helping our people when something happens.
DeleteHurricane Sandy happened when I was 5 so I don't remember much. When I was old enough to understand how serious it was, I learned a little, but not much. All I knew was that it was a devistating storm that happened in New Orleans. Recently I have been learning more and more about Hurricane Sandy. My thoughts are full of surprise, shock and a huge sense of community. I feel like the government was so unprepared for this storm because things like this just don't happen in the US, but it did. It was also kind of funny to me how we are supposed to be the most put together country in the world yet, we weren't when this happened. If I was a resident of New Orleans I would go back. Plain and Simple. I wouldn't necessarily go back for me, I would go back for others. I feel like the US always helps out after disasters, I would want to be apart of that. 911 for instance was one of the most horrible things that happened in the United States. The Boston Bombing, we came back stronger than ever. That is why I would go back, because I am an American, we don't just give up on things we love.
ReplyDeleteCarolyn, I totally agree with you- this is another example of America's resilience in the face of aftermath of disaster like after the Boston Bombing or 9/11. But, I would emphasize that the recovery process is still going on a decade later, and sadly maybe another decade. Good post!
DeleteI agree with you, Carolyn, when you said that you go back for others. If New Orleans was my home, I know that I would go back to help others in my community, especially those who were hit the hardest.
DeleteCarolyn, I would leave because I would be too stressed to stay, but that does not mean that if I left I would not go back to help out people in need. But I do agree with you.
DeleteThis comment, Carolyn, made a good point! As Americans, we tend to have a lot of hope and we work hard to make things better not only for ourselves but for other people.
DeleteCarolyn I agree with you completely but I think that the blog was about Hurricane Katrina not Hurricane sandy.
DeleteCarolyn
DeleteI like the fact that you would go back for others. I would stay as well and I think you made a very good point about how Americans have that lovely, stubborn tendency to not give up. I think sticking together in a tragedy like Katrina shows our resilience and is one of the things that distinguishes us as Americans
Good post.
Hurricane Katrina happened before I was born, but I have heard little tidbits from my family. I really had no idea of the massive damage caused. $108 Billion. BILLION! This video really opened my eyes - everything was washed out at the tide, and people were essentially swimming for their lives in biohazard waste. It is just a scary and incredibly real thing.
ReplyDeleteI probably wouldn't move back to New Orleans because of all of the bad memories and because of the state of disrepair that city remains in. This isn't to say I don't want to help out, but I wouldn't MOVE and LIVE there. Nevertheless, there are amazing success and survival stories, and people moving back to, really, their beloved city.
Oops! I messed up the dates. I was born by 2005. Sorry!
DeleteI agree, there are several inspiring stories that have come out of New Orleans' recovery. I think that many people will be inspired to help in some way if the knew how much the more rural parts of the city are still struggling.
DeleteI disagree with you Luke about not moving back. that is your home and no one ever said that life was going to be easy. The hurricane was just an obstacle.
DeleteI agree with you about not moving back. It would be nice to help though, even if you don't want to move back. It would help others that couldn't bear to live somewhere else. It would be sad to see my house destroyed
DeleteI agree with Luke because I would not be able to go back their because of what has happened with the Hurricane which caused so much damage. It would be hard to leave because you grew up there,It would be difficult for me to stay because I would be stressed out about what has happened to our country
DeleteI have to agree with look it is scary to look at how massive the damage was it really can open your, eyes. Once again I don't think I would move back either. It may be your home but your home shouldn't be chaos.
Deleteyeah I agree with you completely I mean $108 billion thats more than there are people in the world its terrible and i agree about not moving back.
DeleteBefore reading this post, I knew very little about Hurricane Katrina. I had seen TV shows and movies which talked about the damage that Hurricane Katrina had done, but I knew little about what actually happened. I didn't know that many people were stranded in New Orleans for a long period of time before relief aid came to help. This was shocking to me, and it makes me question how reliable organizations like FEMA and the Red Cross really are. Until reading this post, I didn't really know how bad Hurricane Katrina was, and now that I do, I feel so sorry for all those people who were trapped in their flooded homes, and those who lost their houses and all of their belongings. And yet, I feel that if I was a former resident of New Orleans before the hurricane hit, I think that I would come back, because its my home. If I had to evacuate Boise, and then come back and it was all destroyed, I would feel horrible, but I would want to come back. I've lived in Boise my whole life, and I wouldn't let anything separate me from where I belong. No matter how long and tiresome the repairs would be, I would want to rebuild my home.
ReplyDeleteI agree with moving back because i feel that we should help rebuild and help repopulate what has been destroyed. To me it would be hard but we need to help our home town become big again. I woudln't leave like you said its my home.
DeleteAvery and I knew very little of what happened during this horrible disaster and that we didn't know that people were stranded for a few days with no clean water or food. Also that this was all shocking for us.
DeleteFROM BELLA A. - You know, Katrina was iconic, whether or not it was a catastrophe or a way of God telling us that we needed to remember the place we started. And sometimes I wish I had the chance to live through those life changing moments, like Katrina, and yes, I know, maybe I shouldn't wish to be the victim of a level 5 hurricane, but being a teenage girl living in Idaho, I can't say I've ever had to fight for my city and thats a bigger disaster than Katrina herself. But out of everything I want to meet the special Katrina a devastating hurricane was named after. Now that would be something.
ReplyDeleteSo, here you go asking me if I would move back to my home? Well, of course, one hundred percent, absuloutely. New Orleans would be my city and I would fight to go back to the place I was before my life was ripped away from me. No one ever said that once you hit rock bottom you should stay there- get the heck up and try again. Katrina is nothing compared to the love and care the people effected have for eachother and that is not a question
Before watching this video and reading this article, I did not know much about Hurricane Katrina. I knew that it was destructive, but I did not know where where it had happened though.
ReplyDeleteI think that things like Hurricane Katrina need to happen to keep us in check and to realize that most of the natural disasters that happen in third-world countries, can happen to the U.S as well. We as U.S citizens need to realize that we are not invincible. We can be nocked down too. If I had lived in New Orleans while Hurricane Katrina happened, then I would have left and never looked back. I personally just could not handle the stress of what could happen. Living there after the hurricane would just be too stressful to go on with everyday life. My roots are here in Idaho for now. Who knows where I'll be in the future, but for now I can't imagine leaving Idaho.
Good point, the United States is not immune to natural disasters, they could happen anywhere at any time. Great post.
DeleteI agree with you saying that we need to realize that anything happening in third-world countries could happen in the U.S. because it is true and we should be prepared for anything.
DeleteI agree with what you said about disasters happening to the U.S. because I think it is just part of life.
DeleteBefore watching the video, or talking about it in class. I barely knew anything. I think this is because I was so little when the disaster occurred, and I couldn't come close to understanding. I had no idea where it occurred, how destructive it was, or anything really on the topic. Since I barely knew what Hurricane Katrina was, It was extremely shocking for me to see only part of the damage, and pictures of people stranded. I was partly in disbelief. We mostly hear about these catastrophes in other countries. We are almost used to hearing about things like this in other parts of the world....but in the U.S? It's almost unheard of. As I was looking at the pictures of the people stranded, waist high in water. I couldn't help but to notice the people.... I know that people with a lower income had more problems getting help and getting out of the area, but I think race had a lot to do with some things. I think some people were not helped as soon because of their race.
ReplyDeleteIf I was in New Orleans at the time, I don't think I would have returned. I think it would be very traumatizing to see all the places you would go to on a regular basis be destroyed. It would be extremely emotional for me. Even though most of us don't know what it is like to be in a city where this could happen, it I important for us not to belittle the situation and topic.
I agree with you about not moving back and about the location. To see all of those places filled with memories destroyed, it would be unnerving. It is weird that something that bad could ever happen here. But we are just like other countries.
DeleteI agree with the fact that it is important for us not to belittle the situation which I know is extremely easy to do if you have not had a similar experience. However, I disagree with you point about not returning. Imagine it in Boise's situation. If Boise were to go through a similar experience, I would need to go back and see everything. I grew up in Boise and have watched it grow my whole life. I would need to go back and aid in the reconstruction. If I didn't, it would feel like giving up on Boise and everything I did there.
DeleteI didn't know much about it because I was so little. My thoughts are that It look's like a powerful hurricane and destroyed manny homes. If I was a resident I would have come back because that is my home With all my friends and memories and so what if a hurricane hits just tear down everything else and re build my house.
ReplyDeleteI kind of disagree with peter about moving back, yes its sentimental, but a home isn't necessarily a house it is family, and a house and home shouldn't be where chaos is.
DeleteBefore watching the video and reading the post I just thought that a hurricane went through Louisiana and killed people. I didn't know it was mostly flooding. I didn't even know the cities flooded at all.
ReplyDeleteThis is one of the worst natural disasters to hit our country. It is so strange that it could happen to such a developed country. I mean, we can all see this happening to Haiti or Indonesia. But really the USA. This should teach us that even the moat developed countries can still be damaged. It is terrifying.
I would never ever move back to New Orleans after the hurricane. I would be haunted by the memories of thinking that I might die. I would be paranoid that the levies would break again, flooding the cities.
Taelor-
DeleteI really like your point on how not even the United States is invincible, no matter how much we prepare or tell ourselves that we are. Invincibility is not achievable and I think that is what scares us all the most about Katrina.
Good post.
Taelor, I liked how you said that you didn't even know that the cities flooded because I didn't either! I thought that it was just the winds that knocked over houses and cut the power. I never knew that the flooding was so bad. I really liked your post!
DeleteBefore watching the video and reading the post I didn't know that there was flooding I just thought that people died.
ReplyDeleteThis is one of the worst natural disasters that has ever had in the United States. I think it is crazy to think that this might happen in the U.S. because we are developed country like us. I can see it happening it happening in undeveloped countries like Haiti. I would never go back to New Orleans because I would not want to see my city that I grew up in destroyed because of all the good memories I have had there.
Prior to this blog and video, I knew very little about Hurricane Katrina. I was young when the hurricane occurred and unaware of how terrible it really was. As I grew older I would hear little about it on the news, but even then I did not fully understand what exactly happened. But what I did know was that it was a massive hurricane that hit the coast line of the south mainly New Orleans. It took so many innocent lives and left thousands without homes. I know my mom flew on a medical mission two days after the hurricane and was able to witness some of the destruction. When I saw this video, I was appalled by the aftermath caused by Hurricane Katrina. I couldn’t imagine being trapped inside a flooded home for days without food, water, electricity, etc. I feel sorry for those people and the ones who lost their lives. But I am curious why organizations like FEMA were unprepared for an incident like Katrina. It is tough to say because I have never been in a situation like this, but I probably wouldn’t move back to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. I think it would be too hard emotionally for me to return.
ReplyDeleteFrom what you said kate i have took in a little more because in the beginning of your paragraph you explained to us that so many inoccent lives were taken and to me that was what really impacted people. Good post kate
DeleteI agree with what you said. Why are those organizations not prepared for disasters like Hurricane Katrina? It is hard to say why they weren't prepared for Hurricane Katrina. I also think that it would be very hard to move back to my house when I watched it get destroyed.
DeleteI understand what you said and i think that i would want to go back and get back on the horse, even thought there wouldn't be much for me to do i would try my hardest to live in a place that would have been my home. Yes it would be emotionally hard but, if i was living there for my whole life i would want to stay.
DeletePrior to reading this post I knew that Katrina had been catastrophic to the city of New Orleans due to the levees that broke. I, however, did not know how costly it was. 1.8 billion USD!!! It also surprised me how unprepared we were. Katrina reminded me of something that would happen in an undeveloped country, not America. I was also surprised at how slow people were to help the victims of the hurricane.
ReplyDeleteIf I was a victim of hurricane Katrina, I would go back. If Boise was destroyed by a natural disaster, of course I would go back. Boise is still my home. So many people are aiding in the rebuilding of Katrina right now and have been for the last ten years. It just shows how resilient America is and how we stick together when times are tough. We came out of September 11, the Boston Bombing, and Hurricane Sandy standing tall and working hard.
I would agree with your second paragraph because i feel the same on how you would move back because its our home town. We would rebuid it and make sure that we build more beneficial for us. We need to rebuild our confidence to survive anything else that comes up.
DeleteIn agreement with you, Elsa, on how much it cost, I wasn't aware of how much it did! It almost seems unreal to imagine the much money gong into just one disaster, but it really shows you how much Katrina did.
DeleteFrom reading this blog and watching that video i got a little more info on what had happened during the time. I didn't know much about hurricane katrina because i never really looked into it. I know that it was a huge hurricaine and injured thousands of people and killed thousands also. I knew that it flooded 80% of the city. I cannot imagine myself in that position of being hit by Hurricane Katrina. I knew that rebuilding the city was gunna take a lot of years and thousands/millions of dollars.
ReplyDeleteSome of my thoughts on Hurricane Katrina was that it was a very scary thing to go through and that i felt like people were probably hurt and scared and couldnt stand another second being in the moment. I think that it will come again sometime and i feel like we are a little more prepared for the next upcoming time. when i saw the video i was scared for the people and really sad knwoing that people suffered through this and people watched there familt members and friends die because of the debris and the impact.
If i were a resident of that city i would probably move back because to me its "my" home town and i would want to regain my bravery and not forever be scared of what happened or what is to come in the future.
I agree with becca on how scary it was for the people and that they needed a lot of help going through this tough time and I also agree on if it was my hometown I wouldn't let a hurricane scare me but to prepare for anything that could happen in the future.
DeleteI definitely agree with Rebecca when she said, "I cannot imagine myself in that position..." It was terrible and even though we have watched videos, we still will never feel the physical and mental pain they all encountered with this experience.
DeleteBefore this video I really didn't know anything about it really. Our family never really talked about it, because I personally didn't think it was that big of deal but now that I see how powerful the storm was I think me and my family will talk about it now.
ReplyDeleteWhen I first knew about Hurricane Katrina I didn't think it was that big of a deal and it was small, but now that I see how bad it truly is I regret thinking it was such a small thing even though most of us wouldn't be able to remember it, I still think there could of been some way of us helping them even more.Although I do think it was great that BK does help Katrina, I really hope I get to do it to.
I think if I was from Katrina I don't think I would move back I know a lot of people would move back if it was there hometown I get why they want to and I respect that, but I wouldn't move back its more work than anyone should have to have.
I disagree with not moving back, Although it would be a lot of work to rebuild your, you are leaving behind memories, friends,and a community. I think that moving back would make a bond through a community, maybe even throughout the country, stronger.
DeleteI kind of disagree with your reasoning on not moving back. I think that the work was the first thing on their minds. Chances are you knew most people around you and when something like this happens in America, people help each other.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteI also didn't realize it was such a big deal until I read this and saw the article. It was a horrible disaster and we do need to do as much as we can to help New Orleans become a better place again.
DeleteBefore reading this blog I knew that Hurricane Katrina happened in 2005 and the worst damage was done to New Orleans. I also knew that New Orleans was all ready below sea level. And that because of that the damage was even worse.
ReplyDeleteI think that this was a terrible time for the United States. We could have done better as a country during this time.
I think that I would have gone back to New Orlenes. If that is where I had grown up and where my life was I woudnt let some hurricane force me out. I would go back and rebuild.
I think Louisiana could have done better, only certain parts, but the United States helped. Bk still goes down there
DeleteIn a way, I kind of disagree with your point on the United
DeleteStates not doing well with the situation. I think that part of the reason that we didn't respond as well as we could have was because we were in extreme shock. Something that big has never had happened in The United States ( natural disaster wise). The United States did help, it just took us longer than preferred.
Im kind of half and half with the whole our country wasn't doing a very good job. Yes the people in charger of the cities and disaster groups did a horrible job helping and controlling the situation but the part Im a little sideways on is the whole country. In the moment of disaster the other states that were unscathed couldn't really help due to what could they do.
DeleteBefore reading this and watching the video I didn't know much of what happened and how devastating this was. I just knew that it was a horrible hurricane and affected many people during 2005. Some of my thoughts were that this was a very difficult and rough time for the people of New Orleans.
ReplyDeleteIt would depend if I was grew up there my whole life and never moved then yes I would most likely stay and help to get better. But if I was just living there for a couple year and still didn't like it then I would move but still help out to rebuild.
I agree with your second paragraph because if I had just moved to New Orleans and I was caught in the hurricane, I'd feel no obligation to stay there, whereas if I had emotional connections to that place, I would feel obligated to stay there.
DeleteBefore I read this blog, I really didn't know very much about Hurricane Katrina. I knew the basic facts, that it happened in 2005, that it was the worst hurricane our country has experienced, and that it hit New Orleans. I had seen things about hurricane Katrina on tv and online, but I never really understood how bad the damage was. I think that this disaster was devastating for people all over the country but in a way, it helped us because it taught our natural disaster response teams to know what we could be up against. I know it sounds terrible to say that Hurricane Katrina could have benefitted anyone at all, but when it comes to Natural Disasters today, it feels like we are more prepared. If I was in Hurricane Katrina, I would go back to New Orleans because even though there would be bad memories, it would still be my home. If we had a disaster here in Boise, I wouldn't leave. I'd feel like I would have to stay so I could make it past what happened.
ReplyDeleteI agree with not leaving home so you could make it past the disaster. You would eventually get over it and not be so scared. You also shouldn't just leave, it would be leaving a big part of your life behind you.
DeleteI did not know a lot about Hurricane Katrina. I knew that it devastated many lives and homes, and forced a lot of people to flee their homes and Lousiana. I think it is is a terrible and heart breaking event and we should still be helping. I think I would move back because it is my home but I would definitely question it because I would be scared. I wouldn't just leave home because of something like that.
ReplyDeleteI agree that we need to still be helping. Im sure that there is still a lot that needs to be rebuilt. I also think that you would still be scared of moving back.
Deletei knew very little about hurricane Katrina before reading this post. I knew that it was a huge natural disaster that detroyed many homes and killed hundreds of people, but that was about it. I now know that this was a very thing and was a wake up call that we arent invincible. It reminded us that things like this can and will happen sometimes and we need to be prepared. I would move back to the city because it was my home. I probably would have made so many great memories there and wouldnt want to have to leave that behind. Like Mr. Grant said in class, I wouldnt want to lose. Although if I moved back, I would be sure to take the right precautions such as putting my house on stilts.
ReplyDeleteI agree that if you have been living in the city for awhile then you wouldn't want to leave;you would want to get back on your feet and rebuild. And rebuild well, making my house on stilts and take other precautions to prevent any other devastation that would happen if another storm hit.
DeleteBefore reading the post and watching the video I did not know that much about Hurricane Katrina. I knew that it was really bad, but I had no idea that it was as destructive as it was. I also knew that it killed many people, destroyed many homes, and left a lot of people on the streets without a place to live. It is so sad to think of how many people were killed and how many people had no house to live in. Most of the people on the streets probably didn't have enough money to rebuild their house so they are stuck on the streets, or in shelters. It is amazing to think that 10 years after the hurricane the city is still not back to what it was before.
ReplyDeleteI would most likely move back to the city, because it's where I grew up and lived. I would have good memories there and would not want to lose the good memories. I also would always remember the memories of the hurricane and never forget how scary that was. Like Mr. Grant said, I would not want to lose to the hurricane.
I agree that if you have roots in New Orleans and your family and friends are still there somewhere then I would go back to New Orleans. And I agree that I wouldn't want to lose to the hurricane, because the American way is when we're knocked down we get back up and keep fighting.
DeleteI agree with the top but not as much the bottom part because you're talking about all the good memories that are made there but in the end I think that all the good childhood memories would be gone when a huge storm comes and kills and destroys all of them, for me it would be too hard to continue living there.
DeleteI agree that if you had family and friends in New Orleans you would want to go back and see them, but if I didn't have to go back, I wouldn't because I wouldn't want to see my old home destroyed.
DeletePrior to reading this and watching the video, I hardly knew anything specific about Hurricane Katrina. I knew about the damage it caused, but not how severe it was. I knew about the flooding, but nothing about the bio-hazardous wastes in the water and leaving people stranded in their attics or on the rooftops.
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts on the event have dramatically changed with the information I have received, I now realize how truly terrible this natural disaster was. It is still impacting lives, even though it occurred ten years ago! It is heartbreaking to see American people being killed and injured in such inhumane ways, when we are in a first world country.
If I were to decide to move back or not, I would honestly be stuck in the middle because there are so many reasons on each side. For example, to move back you would be able to come back to your life, just some necessary help to get you back on track, but that does not go for everyone, the poor neighborhoods are hardly renovated while the more wealthy ones are almost restored. Also ,moving back would prove your strength, as many people mentioned above; the American attitude would be shown. But on the contrary, moving away could mean starting over, for a good reason. You could get your mind off of the terrible things you had experienced and start fresh.
Isabelas point of view on the moving back or not changed my point of view because I didnt think about how hard it would be to start over somewhere else new with nothing.
DeletePrior to reading this I knew Hurricane Katrina was one of the worst natural disasters in American history, people fled to the New Orleans Superdome, and the entire city of New Orleans was flooded.
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts on it are that the Governor of Louisiana and the other people in charge should have taken responsibility of who was in charge and taken action. Mr. Grant said that everyone was supposed to take action didn't and people definitely didn't pay attention to the poor people inside the city.
If I was poor and had no place else to go because I could barely make ends meet before the hurricane I would have no other choice than to move back to the city. But if I had the necessities to go someplace else or I had relatives somewhere close in the south I would definitely go somewhere else.
Lucas I actually didn't even think about what you said if you were poor and couldn't afford to move. This changes my thoughts on my answer.
DeletePrior to reading this and watching the video I didn't know much about Hurricane Katrina, and what I did know was very little.
ReplyDeleteI knew that it was a large natural disaster, and I knew that BK went e
very year to help out. I had seen a couple videos but never understood the real distruction.
I think that this hurricane was very sad, and life destroying. Even though I was not alive during the time, this article made me realize the true destruction.
If I was a resident during the time of Hurricane Katrina I would not move back. I wouldn't move back because my home would be destroyed. Some of my loved ones would be dead. I wouldn't have a real reason to stay.
I agree with Cece in the sense of though I wasn't alive I think it was a huge devastation for all the families involved. Through out my life I always here of these " bad" things that have happened in the past and they seem as real to me like it had happened yesterday.
DeleteI don't really agree with Cece about moving back. I know I personally would find it hard either way but I'm not sure everyone else would. Not everybody's' homes were destroyed and some didn't even have deaths among their family members.
DeleteI knew that it was the 3rd largest storm to hit the U.S but other than that I didn't know much.
ReplyDeleteI think the event was very chaotic. Support groups were not prepared for a disaster the leadership of everybody was questioned. No one stood up and sadly for the less fortunate they didn't get the help they needed s quickly as they should have. I think the levies could have been easy not broken if they were maintained properly.
If I was a resident of the city I would come back instantly. I don't like to loose and me leaving would be a sense of Im giving up. I wouldn't like the storm to beat me so I would come back.
I defiantly agree with you saying that you wouldn't let a storm win. I feel that is the true American way.
DeleteTaylor and David I have to agree with both of you. Im not gonna let a storm push me out of my home.
DeletePrior to reading the article and watching the video, I knew virtually nothing about Hurricane Katrina. All I knew was that it had effects on New Orleans. I didn't know how bad it actually was. The events were tragic because stuff like that doesn't usually happen in america, it usually happens in foreign countries. It made me think of what would happen if this happened to Boise. If I were a resident of New Orleans prior to Hurricane Katrina I don't know what I would do. It would really depend on where your family is but then again at the same time this event would be burnt in you mind. I would find it difficult to do either one.
ReplyDeleteDavid I agree with you on all of that. I also thought about what would happen if it happened in Boise. Like what would we do, how would we react.
Deletei agree with you David, i would stay where my family or friends where, i do think that if most of your family died i would stay in the home i had had for a long time but, if you where fortunate enough to keep most of your family i would definitely go where family/friends are.
DeleteBefore reading this blog I knew that it was horrible for people. I know people died and had their homes ripped away from them. I also knew that it happened in 2005. After reading the article I learned a lot, I didn't know how truly bad it was. Its also kind of weird to think that it happened to the United States. We hear about it in other countries all the time but we think it never could happen to us, until it does. If I were a New Orleans resident prior to Hurricane Katrina I wouldn't leave after the hurricane. I would stay cause I wouldn't let that make me leave.
ReplyDeletei definitely agree with you on this, I think that large news organizations did not cover this as much as they should have.
DeleteBefore reading the blog, I didn't know many of the facts or many of the details, but I did know that it was very devastating. I know that people obviously had to evacuate, but some couldn't due being trapped.
ReplyDeleteAt first I didn't even know what was happening... because I was three, but now, I just can't believe that this event actually occurred. It's crazy that that much water annihilated the city.
To answer the question of wether I would move back to my city or not, I honestly don't know because I have never experienced it. I would have to guess that i wouldn't because the event would be so scarring I would
't want to go back; I would visit for sure though.
I think Hurricane Katrina was a terrible natural disaster. I know it was hard to recover from it and people are still recovering from it. If it were me, I probably wouldn't move back to New Orleans because of the fear of another hurricane that could possibly hit again, and that if I came back to my old home it would be destroyed.
ReplyDeleteI agree and disagree with you at the same time, if you had no family and lived on the poorer side of town you might want to find new opportunity but if you had good memories, family, friends, then it is not to much of a choice
DeleteI really didn't know any thing, i don't know why i didn't know a lot about it but i would say that it was because i was so young and not really paying attention to those kinds of things. I think that Hurricane Katrina was horrible, we where reminded thought that we needed to check the flood gates and keep the city from droning. If i was a resident, I would defiantly stay and try to make the home i one had a place i can go back to, i did before writing my comment, replied to two other people and i thought that when Kate said she couldn't go back because it would be too emotional, i totally agreed but, i would still go back if all my family and friends died. I would need to go back to something familiar, even if it comes with a lot of sadness. I also replied to David and he said that he wouldn't know where to go because he would want to go with family.I think that is what i would do to if all my family died, but if i still had some left i would go back home.
ReplyDeleteyeah i agree and i didnt know much either but i wish i had i don't know about going back it would be alot of work you would have to make a new house and maybe even get a new job and i dont know if it would be worth it but i do agree with you with everything else
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