Ike versus Katrina

Laney MacDougall / Staff Writer / The USD Vista

Aug. 29, 2005: the day the Category 3 Hurricane Katrina swept along the United States coast from Florida to Texas and the beginning of one of the most economically and socially devastating natural disasters ever to hit the United States. With well over 1,800 deaths and $81.2 billion expended in the relief effort, Hurricane Katrina is the worst hurricane to hit the U.S. since the Okeechobee Hurricane of 1928. With such outstanding destruction and unbelievable damage, it makes a person wonder how such a disaster could occur in the United States. With a combination of levee breaches, flood protection system failures and governmental neglect, it’s easy to point the blame in any number of directions. However, where I believe the most blame ought to fall is the hands of the administration in Washington D.C. The people most impacted by the disaster were only told two days in advance that they should evacuate and those along the coastal parish areas of Louisiana were not given any declared state of emergency. Even after Hurricane Katrina hit and it was apparent just how much damage this hurricane was going to cause, it still took President Bush and his administration several days to react, send relief and help to those suffering along the coast. This lack of governmental intervention and ill-preparation for the inevitable is why Hurricane Katrina was so enormously devastating.

Three years later, it seems as though the government is beginning to learn their lesson. Just a few weeks ago, Hurricane Ike served as a brutal reminder of the devastation and horror caused by Hurricane Katrina but this time, the Bush administration was far more prepared to handle the disaster. Bush declared a state of emergency for coastal states days before the hurricane was expected to hit land, providing federal help in preparations and evacuations. Mandatory evacuations, supply and relief crew preparations and advanced flood protection systems allowed for the horrible impact that Hurricane Katrina had to be avoided. Although Hurricane Ike had terrifying effects, with 150 deaths and $27 billion in damages, when comparing the two hurricanes, it’s easy to see that the administration in D.C., as well as the American nation as a whole, is beginning to understand the risk.

With the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina still very present in the minds of the victims, relief workers and governmental officials, now is the time to move forward with cleaning up Hurricane Ike and making even more preparations for any natural disasters that may hit in the future. When comparing hurricanes of the past, anyone can see the progress and advancement that America as a whole is making toward a safer, better prepared nation. Hurricane Okeechobee took the lives of as many as 3,500 people in Florida alone, Hurricane Katrina had over 1,800 deaths, and Hurricane Ike is currently at around 150 deaths. These numbers show that America is making progress in terms of natural disaster preparation and relief. With past hurricanes as examples and future disasters as motivators, America is on its way to learning how to cope with natural disasters before they hit, so as to avoid another horrific event such as Hurricane Katrina. For now, it is time for the victims and workers of Hurricane Ike to look forward with hope and optimism, for although they were miserably effected, their tragedy serves as yet another warning and motivator for the Washington administration and relief institutions. America is not invincible but with preparation and action, an event as horrible as Hurricane Katrina never has to be as chaotic again.