1. Hazards of a dynamic planet Katrina, 2005 J.D. Price Katrina, 2005 J.D. Price

2. Stranded boats Empire, LA NOAA

3. The power of a hurricane Elevated wind speeds Increased wave power Extensive and intense rainfall Surge of ocean water Elevated wind speeds Increased wave power Extensive and intense rainfall Surge of ocean water Far reaching impacts: For one, the offshore gulf is a prolific source of petroleum. Floating offshore platform - Biloxi, MS. Far reaching impacts: For one, the offshore gulf is a prolific source of petroleum. Floating offshore platform - Biloxi, MS.

4. Hurricanes are cyclonic tropical storms Solar heating warms water, it evaporates Hot wet air rises, producing low pressure Air moves towards low pressure, with more warm wet air As air rises, cools, and clouds form - releasing energy. Solar heating warms water, it evaporates Hot wet air rises, producing low pressure Air moves towards low pressure, with more warm wet air As air rises, cools, and clouds form - releasing energy. Cyclonic movement results from Coriolis Effect. Hurricane persists as long as warm wet air moves into the low pressure. Cyclonic movement results from Coriolis Effect. Hurricane persists as long as warm wet air moves into the low pressure.

5. © McGraw-Hill, 2002

7. Gulfport, LA NOAA Casino boat in Biloxi, MS Peter Cosgrove, A.P. Biloxi, MS Marc Serota, Reuters Water evaporating produces enough power to ravage a coastline

8. ©CNN Photo courtesy of NOAA The Galveston 1900 hurricane remains the deadliest hurricane. More than 8000 people died (no exact count). Galveston was the biggest city in Texas. Although the entire city was elevated, it never regained its population status. Much Deadlier…

9. Science saves lives Katrina was devastating, costly ($200 bil. +), and deadly (1,300) But there was plenty of warning - modern meteorology can give warning several days out. Katrina was devastating, costly ($200 bil. +), and deadly (1,300) But there was plenty of warning - modern meteorology can give warning several days out. Geohazzard science  Hurricane-related (cat 4 or 5) flooding was evaluated by the Army Corps of Engineers in 1998.  The Louisiana Water Resources Research Institute proposed an interior “safe zone” on the city’s high ground. Geohazzard science  Hurricane-related (cat 4 or 5) flooding was evaluated by the Army Corps of Engineers in 1998.  The Louisiana Water Resources Research Institute proposed an interior “safe zone” on the city’s high ground.

10. Science saves lives Hurricanes are monitored closely in the hopes of averting disasters and understanding their nature. The National Hurricane Center (NOAA) tracks and monitors tropical storms globally.

11. Building in precarious places The Gulf coast and southern Atlantic coast are lined with narrow islands and peninsula. For reasons that should now be obvious, these are called barrier islands. Examples  Galveston  Miami Beach  Florida Keys These are often developed because these islands face open water. The Gulf coast and southern Atlantic coast are lined with narrow islands and peninsula. For reasons that should now be obvious, these are called barrier islands. Examples  Galveston  Miami Beach  Florida Keys These are often developed because these islands face open water.

12. Building in precarious places Barrier Islands U.S.G.S. study on the effects of Katrina on Dauphin Island, AL. High points are houses. Katrina effectively moved the island north. Barrier Islands U.S.G.S. study on the effects of Katrina on Dauphin Island, AL. High points are houses. Katrina effectively moved the island north.

13. Removing the buffers Coastal land loss and gain in Louisiana, 1956-­1990 (from Johnston et al. 1995). Brown and Red are losses, green and yellow are gains. Overall, the wetlands that protect inland Louisiana are disappearing.

14. New Orleans Before (March 2005) During (Aug. 31, 2005) Images from DigitalGlobe Dry Flooded

15.  Flooding was pervasive thanks to breaks on the canal system (London Ave. Canal, 17th St. Canal, and the Industrial Canal).  Several factors contributed to the flood. One severe aspect was the undermining of the wall structures.  Pumping system designed for rainfall - not flooding. Review panel included RPI’s Professor Tom Zimme of Civil & Environmental Engineering  Flooding was pervasive thanks to breaks on the canal system (London Ave. Canal, 17th St. Canal, and the Industrial Canal).  Several factors contributed to the flood. One severe aspect was the undermining of the wall structures.  Pumping system designed for rainfall - not flooding. Review panel included RPI’s Professor Tom Zimme of Civil & Environmental Engineering

16. Broken Canal Wall David Phillip, A.P. 8th Ward Dave Martin, A.P. New Orleans View from North Smiley Pool, DMN.

17. DEM map from the Center for the study of public health impacts of Hurricanes Lowlands

19. Why here?  Selling sight-unseen swamp land to rich people was a common pastime in 18th C. Europe.  French Nouvelle Orleans built on the only significant higher ground near Mississippi terminus  Fast grew into an important distribution point for the American interior.  A pumping system was constructed in 1895, and was greatly improved in 1913 with A.B. Wood’s screw pump system.  Selling sight-unseen swamp land to rich people was a common pastime in 18th C. Europe.  French Nouvelle Orleans built on the only significant higher ground near Mississippi terminus  Fast grew into an important distribution point for the American interior.  A pumping system was constructed in 1895, and was greatly improved in 1913 with A.B. Wood’s screw pump system. Bienville Louisiana Museum New Orleans 1728 From Kendall, 1922 New Orleans 1728 From Kendall, 1922 1718 John Law, a Scottish speculator, enabled Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville to found a French capital to Louisiana on the Mississippi

20. Altered Environment Artificial flooding controls have increased the danger. In a natural river, periodic flooding stabilizes wetlands, adds sediments to regions beside channel. New Orleans is sinking as a result of this change Altered Environment Artificial flooding controls have increased the danger. In a natural river, periodic flooding stabilizes wetlands, adds sediments to regions beside channel. New Orleans is sinking as a result of this change

21. Issues and rebuilding  Scientifically speaking - largely no, or at a very reduced scale  But this is not solely a scientific problem, involves questions of economics, values, and politics.  The science and technology already exists to keep people safe (if they are aware and willing)  Science and technology cannot move assets out of harms way - petroleum energy is at the center of this.  It is likely a structurally better New Orleans may arise from the muck.  More importantly - given that another flood is an inevitability, will we prepare ourselves adequately?  Scientifically speaking - largely no, or at a very reduced scale  But this is not solely a scientific problem, involves questions of economics, values, and politics.  The science and technology already exists to keep people safe (if they are aware and willing)  Science and technology cannot move assets out of harms way - petroleum energy is at the center of this.  It is likely a structurally better New Orleans may arise from the muck.  More importantly - given that another flood is an inevitability, will we prepare ourselves adequately?