Dsgas

Da’Rell Johnson Period 3/4 Katrina Paper September 6, 2012

The Effects of Human Failure

There were numerous natural disasters, and disasters in general, that shook the nation all together. But, many Americans can truly say that no other disaster has had a huge impact on America than Hurricane Katrina. This hurricane was no ordinary hurricane. Many technological mishaps and tribulations caused the hurricane to be as bad as it was. It was not only a natural disaster, but the severity was mainly due to human failure. Had it not been for the breaching of the levees, the city of Louisiana would have not been in the predicament they were in and the damage would have been less severe.

The damage of Katrina was devastating. The hurricane completely demolished everything in its path. Many buildings were destroyed, homes were gone and many cars and transportation floated through the rubbled water. Many lives were lost and families torn apart. People went missing, and many others stuck in their attics of their homes with waters up to their necks trying to hold out. Many drowned and numerous people were stranded on tops of buildings and cars trying to find a way out. The sewage didn’t help at all. Instead draining all of the water the sewage lines plugged and clogged the water so the high water stayed on the streets. If you would have seen what Katrina did, you would’ve thought you were in a warzone. Of course death and problems will occur in the event of a hurricane, but all of this could have been lessened.

The Army Corps of Engineers started buildings as early as the late 1800s. When finished in 1965, the levees seemed to be a huge success. But little did the citizens of New Orleans, or the Army Corps of Engineers know that this was all about to change. Within the first day of hurricane landfall in Louisiana, more than 20 levees broke. The Army Corps of Engineers issued a statement day’s later saying that the levees were only designed...