Presentation Date: Feb 14, 2026
AGSA Abstract
The devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina in 2005 exposed profound deficiencies in environmental hazard preparedness and urban resilience, particularly across coastal regions of the United States. While extensive literature has addressed the disaster’s social and economic consequences, there remains a critical gap in integrated environmental hazard analysis that encompasses spatial, infrastructural, and ecological dimensions. This study assessed the spatial extent and severity of environmental hazards triggered by Hurricane Katrina, evaluated the vulnerability of urban infrastructure and ecological systems in New Orleans, and analyzed the effectiveness of emergency response mechanisms and post-disaster recovery strategies. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the research combined geospatial techniques (GIS and remote sensing), archival data review, and field-based environmental assessments. Satellite imagery was used to delineate flood extent and land cover changes, while vulnerability indices were computed using socio-environmental variables. Findings revealed that over 80% of New Orleans was inundated, with flood depths exceeding 3 meters in low-lying wards. Wetland loss accelerated by 12% post-Katrina, significantly diminishing natural flood buffers. Infrastructure vulnerability was most pronounced in areas with pre-existing subsidence and poor drainage, with 67% of levee breaches occurring in zones previously flagged by FEMA. Furthermore, delays in emergency response contributed to a 40% increase in mortality among vulnerable populations, particularly the elderly and disabled. A key innovation of this study is the development of a dynamic hazard-vulnerability matrix that integrates historical flood patterns, urban expansion trends, and climate projections to identify future risk zones. This model provides a scalable and replicable tool for disaster planning in other coastal cities facing similar threats. In conclusion, the study highlights the urgent need for adaptive infrastructure, ecological restoration, and inclusive governance to mitigate the impacts of future hurricanes. It calls for a strategic shift from reactive disaster response to proactive resilience planning.
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