Lessons from Hurricane Katrina

The Exploring Urban Mobility: Using Data to Solve Problems of the Future is creating data-intensive lessons for high school students to think about issues of urban mobility. Hear from one of the curriculum authors about the focus of one of the lessons: Hurricane Katrina.

To prevent similar, devastating consequences when faced with future catastrophes, we must learn from the data.

Low socioeconomic status (SES) significantly increases a community’s vulnerability to disaster, and to flooding in particular. Across the globe, the price of property is often lower in low-lying neighborhoods that flood regularly. Safer areas can command higher rents, pricing out low-income residents and concentrating them in flood-prone neighborhoods. Crucial flood-control infrastructure, such as storm drains, culverts and levees, are often poorly maintained or not present in lower SES areas. In addition, each successive flood tends to result in a greater concentration of poverty. Residents who are financially better off often choose to relocate, while those who cannot afford to move remain behind to await the next deluge.

Socioeconomic status also affects a community’s preparedness. Individuals who work long hours may be unable to attend community preparedness meetings, and may have less access to warnings and evacuation instructions. This combination of concentrated poverty and insufficient preparation can have deadly consequences.

Mobility, the ability to travel easily from one place to another, plays a crucial role in an evacuation when a storm is imminent. Vehicle access, health, and economic circumstances all contribute to residents’ ability to leave an area. Those with lower incomes are often the least mobile, and may be unable to comply with evacuation orders even if they wish to do so. In an evacuation, public transportation networks are often overwhelmed and shut down well in advance of a storm, forcing most residents to flee by car. However, because low-income families are significantly less likely to own a vehicle, this escape route is not an option for them.

Additionally, low SES is highly correlated with both age and disability status. Individuals requiring accommodations such as a wheelchair-accessible van may be unable to secure transportation in an emergency. The elderly are uniquely vulnerable, for they are most likely to be in poor physical health and to be unable to drive. Indeed, a staggering 49% of Hurricane Katrina’s victims were over the age of 75, despite comprising only 6% of the local population.

Many families simply cannot afford to shoulder the cost of food, lodging and transportation needed to evacuate, particularly in combination with lost wages. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, researchers surveyed hundreds of New Orleans residents who had not evacuated and who were subsequently trapped by the flood. Just 31% had a bank account, and only 28% possessed usable credit cards. Many cited both finances and lack of transportation as major factors in their decision not to leave. Had assistance been available, perhaps more residents would have fled before Katrina struck.

Low SES communities face obstacles to recovery after a disaster, in addition to being at greater flood risk and facing more challenges to evacuate. Safe housing and a comprehensive insurance policy are often unaffordable for struggling people. Around the world, people living in poverty tend to occupy more fragile housing units, which are far more susceptible to structural damage. When researchers surveyed New Orleans residents who had not evacuated, most reported that their homes had been destroyed. However, only 10% stated that they held insurance policies that would cover a significant portion of their losses.

To reduce future loss of life, we must acknowledge the unique needs of low income and low mobility regions. Using data to proactively identify high-risk areas, engaging with local community leaders, and arranging additional transportation in the event of an emergency are essential steps. Given the accelerating pace of climate change, it is inevitable that a powerful storm will again threaten a vulnerable community. It is up to us to be prepared.

Photos (from top): New Orleans residents take refuge on an overpass as the flood waters rise. Source: Dallas Daily News; An abandoned wheelchair in a destroyed home. Source: FEMA