Forensic analysis for Hurricane Katrina

In the PARATUS project, we ran the forensic analysis for Hurricane Katrina, which occurred in 2005. This category-5 hurricane severely impacted the US Gulf Coast, particularly New Orleans. It contextualizes the disaster’s temporal, spatial, and operational dimensions, tracing the cascade of events and vulnerabilities that compounded the hurricane’s catastrophic effects. The existing studies identify Hurricane Katrina as an extreme event with a return period of 100-250 years.

The analysis reveals the multifaceted vulnerabilities underlying the disaster including physical infrastructure deficits, socio-economic inequalities, environmental degradation and governance failures. Pre-existing vulnerabilities such as poorly maintained leeves, wetland degradation and socio-economic disparities contributed to higher exposure and risk. The marginalized communities with limited access to resources and risk awareness were the worst hit, exemplifying systemic inequality. The infrastructure destruction caused by the disaster led to an immediate displacement of 1.2 million people and the loss of over 1400 lives. Short-term environmental consequences ranged from biodiversity loss to contamination 0pf air and water with hazardous materials. The hurricane disrupted critical services, livelihoods, and supply chains, causing economic losses that exceeded 100 billion USD. The disaster also triggered severe mental health issues among the survivors.

The federal and state agencies such as FEMA were mobilised during the recovery phase. Financial resources, advanced technologies and revised disaster frameworks were deployed shortly after the disaster. However, bureaucratic inefficiencies and inequitable resource distribution left the vulnerable population with minimal support. Restoration of critical infrastructures took over a year while rebuilding homes spanned several years. As resilience measures, the enhancement of the levee system advanced engineering practices in rebuilding, and improved risk communication were undertaken. The study concluded that despite the institutional measures, the low-income groups were disproportionately affected. Multi-dimensional vulnerabilities remain critical to reducing future disaster impacts. The forensic underscores the importance of integrated, equitable disaster risk management frameworks to enhance resilience against future extreme weather events, which are likely to be intensified by Climate Change.

Keywords: PARATUS project, Forensic Analysis, Hurricane Katrina, Multi-sectoral Impact, Disaster Risk Assessment