Hurricanes Katrina, 2005 and irene, 2011: A comparative analysis of national, state, local, community preparedness and response

A pressing global and public health concern is the occurrence of disasters and its management. Epidemiological constructs indicate a wide plethora of disasters and various management techniques. The impact of natural disasters may be exacerbated through lack of timely actions or lessened through appropriate disaster management actions. The purpose of this study was to compare U.S. national, state, local and community disaster preparedness and response initiatives during Hurricanes Katrina (2005) and Irene (2011). After a systematic review of publications, reports and pertinent media articles, a questionnaire was developed for data abstraction from recorded disaster initiatives related to both hurricanes. There were differences in the path, magnitude, and impact of both hurricanes. Although Hurricane Irene was less intense than Hurricane Katrina, its impacts on human life and damage would have been greater if not for the timely preparations and effective coordinated response by all levels of government and community agencies. Thus it is clear that government and communities learned much from Hurricane Katrina's unprecedented carnage, and these lessons were applied in 2011. Session participants will be able to analyze lessons learned from the management of these natural disaster events; discuss how lessons learned from Hurricanes Katrina and Irene were applied in current northeast regional experiences with Hurricane/Superstorm Sandy; and using schematics from the presentation formulate and extrapolate plans for future response efforts.