Secure Zone Safety - Hurricane Katrina

Hurricane Katrina

Undoubtedly the worst natural disaster to hit the United States in decades, Hurricane Katrina ripped through parts of the Gulf states, totally wiping out cities in Mississippi and Louisiana. Whole cities were covered in water and debris, leaving behind little or no life. Not only did the storm take many lives, but it also killed the spirit of those towns. Was there anything these residents could have done to prepare for Hurricane Katrina? Yes ... and no.

Hurricane Katrina: Death And Destruction

Before Hurricane Katrina hit, there were hundreds of warnings to those living in the Louisiana and Mississippi, saying that this storm "will kill." Most people heeded the warnings, but unfortunately many stayed behind. And of those who stayed behind, hundreds lost their lives. Hurricanes can be predicted, but their damage is very much unpredictable. A Category one -- while it is unlikely -- may cause more damage than a Category 3, simply based on the elements making up the hurricane. With Katrina, the element that caused the most damage wasn't the wind (even though sustained winds got up to 175 mph), but instead, the rain. Flooding is the major cause of damage during most hurricanes. Most of those who perished, did so from drowning.

With the storm surge, plus the amount of rain pouring, Hurricane Katrina flooded whole cities and towns with up to 20 to 25 feet of water, leaving people stranded on rooftops for days awaiting assistance. Many people also died from dehydration and malnutrition. Hurricane Katrina took lives, leaving behind orphans and parents without children and spouses without each other. More could have been done to prevent -- not the hurricane -- but the loss of life. When it comes to hurricane safety, every little bit of preparation helps. Don't chance it, take heed and be ready.