Explaining the Impacts of Natural Disasters

¶ … Hurricane Katrina In late August of 2005, a giant tropical storm ravaged the southeastern area of the United States. This hurricane, also known as Hurricane Katrina was an incredibly strong and violent storm that took the lives of nearly 1900 people and displaced hundreds of thousands more in an experience not seen in modern America. Here in America, we are used to seeing these types of storms and natural disasters affect others in far off places.

Tsunamis, earthquakes and mudslides are often presented in other countries as playing a major and devastating impact on the lives of those people who were confronted with such disasters. Here in America, however, Hurricane Katrina exposed the true meddle and resolve of a nation that exposed our vulnerability and gave new credence and power to Mother Nature.

Hurricane Katrina was the most destructive storm to ever hit the United States and those who felt the brunt of this storm have a new understanding of the power and force that hurricanes cane bring. Katrina itself was unpreventable, the forces of nature are just not controllable. The political and social aftermath of this storm, however raised a red flag warning over the nature of this country's security regarding weather and natural disasters.

Just 4 short years since the terrorist attacks on 9-11, when Katrina swept through, a new added layer of vulnerability was created amongst the American psyche, exposing the infrastructure weaknesses and the lack of leadership that was present during the rescue and cleanup efforts. Characters from this disaster were played on the news and written about in the media assigning blame and worthiness all along.

President Bush, Mayor of New Orleans Ray Nagin, head of FEMA Michael Brown and many others became the focus of the relenting political pressure to fix a situation that made areas of New Orleans and Mississippi look like a war zone. Much of the disaster that this storm caused occurred in New Orleans as precious flood walls and infrastructure barriers failed miserably in protecting against a rising sea tide which would eventually place most of New Orleans underwater in a surreal scene of primal survival and epic rescue efforts.

The confusing and desperate scene captured at the New Orleans Superdome shortly after the flood evacuation clearly showed how unprepared and disastrous this storm had become. Long-Term Effects The long-term effects and impacts of Hurricane Katrina are most noticeable when viewing them from a psychological and sociological viewpoint. Weems et al. (2007) suggested that "in terms of social relatedness, the Katrina disaster seriously disrupted social ties and one's ability to access not only his or her extended community, but family members as well.

Because many Katrina survivors were relocated, supporting relationships at the family, neighborhood, church, and school levels of organization were interrupted." This was a very traumatic and deep event that profoundly impacted the psyches of millions of people who lost trust in their Government, their community and themselves as a sense of hopelessness and desperation permeates the area to this day. Economically, Hurricane Katrina tested the financial strength of the country and especially in those in the area.

Despite huge and well intentioned fund raising and charity efforts, the long-range impacts of the psychological and social problems this storm created cannot be simply fixed by money and resources. The human problems that were created in the Hurricane Katrina incident suggested that we as humans, as Americans, are vulnerable. Death and destruction are nature's way and this was a lesson for many to take in way that could be helpful in explaining the mysterious of life in a more suitable manner.

DeSalvo (2007) wrote "Natural disasters of the magnitude of Hurricane Katrina are known to exert significant mental health effects; with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) being the most studied and reported consequence." Prevention Prevention of natural disasters can be made with the right attitude. It appears that complacency drove many of the issues in this case, and the ignorance of leaders to properly maintain infrastructure that would have prevented much of the damage in New Orleans.

The efforts on prevention in cases of large natural disasters are best addressed through contingency plans and rescue efforts. The ability to stop a hurricane is not within the human capacity right now, so as a collective it is important that minimizing the damage from these impacts provides the best way of limiting the damage done by storms of this caliber. To mitigate these effects in the future it is necessary to address the problems right now in current time.

Keeping a vigilant attitude and a humane approach to these problems can most likely prevent the confusion that was experienced after Katrina. Traumatic events can be mitigated with strong support systems and not law enforcement effort. The violent and forceful measure taken by authorities in many instances after the hurricane distracted from the many humbling and miraculous acts of kindness that were demonstrated during this time. Focusing on the humanity of the event can help government authorities to prepare for these types of events.

Eventually individuals themselves must take their life into their own hands and do what is right for them. The government is.