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The dfg worst natural disater in the United States history was that of three years ago, Hurricane Katrina. The Hurricane which reached up to a category five storm hit the gulf coast and much of New Orleans on August the 29, of 2005. The effects of this disaster was enormous. By August 31st,of 2005 just forty eight hours after the storm hit most of New Orleans was flooded, about eighty percent was flooded. Hurricanes are mostly caused by in an area of low air pressure that forms over oceans typically in tropical regions(world book encyclopedia, pg 187). Here in the United States most hurricanes occur in the Atlantic Ocean or the Gulf of Mexico, which we witnessed that of Katrina. A hurricane usually has two main parts. Its winds that swirl around the center of the storm is more commonly known as the eye. This is the basic center of the storm which is a clam area. The second part is the wall clouds which surround the eye(world book encfbyclopedia, pg 187). Hurricane Katrina had many major implications for example population, economy and politics of the entire region and the country. The major destruction of the city of New Orleans was the failure of the levees that broke open. Most of the levees collapsed and broke completely wide open letting enormous amounts of sea water pouring into the region. The extensive flooding stranded many residents, who remained long after hurricane Katrina has passed. Stranded survivors dotted the tops of their houses citywide hoping to be rescued. There were many residents some who were trapped inside their attics, unable to escape. Around eleven o'clock p.m. on August 29, mayor Nagin described the loss of life as significant with reports of bodies floating on the water throughout the city. There was no clean water or electricity in the city, and soon the National Guard began setting up temporary morgues in certain locations. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina civil unrest was rapid. There was looting, violence, and other criminal activities which became serious problems. By August 30, the looting had spread throughout the city, often in broad daylight and right in front police officers. The looters included gangs of armed gunmen, and gunfire was heard in parts of the city. Along with all the violence, armed robbery was occuring, but it was mainly residents who were gathering up valuable goods to survive. Also within the aftermath there were reports of sniper fire throughout the city. Most reports of crimes were allegedly occurred in the city's Super dome, the home the football team of New Orleans. Americans like to believe that we are all in the same boat when disaster strikes, unfortunately this didn't occur with Katrina. Questions of race and class came into focus as news coverage of the disaster showed primarily black residents stranded in New Orleans. It also raised questions about the governments slow response to the crisis. Weeks after the hurricane there was widespread agreement among black survivors that the governments response to the crisis would have been faster if most of the storms victims had been white. At that time most whites felt that the race of the victims did not make a difference in the governments responses. The true outcome about the race factor of Katrina points out the persisting problems of racial inequality. Hurricane Katrina was a wake up call for all Americans. This event dealt with every type of issue from race, class, gender, and the governments role. But there is a silver lining to all of this. This natural disaster put more attention to poverty, more of a focus on our strong federal government, and also a focus on leadership which we as Americans most desperately need right now.
 * //Hurricane Katrina//**