HURRICANES AND LEVEES

Now that you know about the wetlands, let’s talk about what is hurting them. First and foremost, hurricanes provide the most destruction in the shortest amount of time. Hurricanes destroy land areas and create loss of animals and plants. Here is an example:
Here is Trinity Island before Hurricane Andrew struck in August 1992:
 

Here is what Trinity Island looked like after Hurricane Andrew struck:

 

Probably the most significant hurricane of recent years has been Hurricane Katrina. This Category 5 hurricane has been estimated to have been responsible for over 80 billion dollars in damages. Here is a video of satellite images showing Katrina from the time it impacted Florida until the hurricane made landfall in Louisiana:

We also experienced Hurricane Rita that followed shortly after Hurricane Katrina.  Though Rita was not as severe, it still caused damage in the western part of the state.  Here is a video showing how Rita moved:

The wetlands themselves act like a barrier that slows down hurricanes before they impact the main land areas. Without these wetlands, areas would receive more significant hurricanes and the damages would be considerably worse.

Here is a story concerning hurricanes, levees and their impact on the wetlands.

    Gone with the Water

Hurricanes in Louisiana History:  This site provides information concerning all of the hurricanes that have touched land in Louisiana. This site stays up to date with all hurricanes.

NHC Archive of Hurricane Seasons:  The National Hurricane Center provides an archive of hurricanes that have made landfall since 1958. The site provides data and, in some cases, tracking information as well as the rate in which a storm increased.

Performance Objectives:

    You will be able to:
        1.  Identify any hurricanes & hurricane damage to levees and wetlands that has occurred in your area.
        2.  Create PowerPoint slides that describe the hurricanes and damages to levees and wetlands in your area.

Activity #1

    You will:
        1.  Participate in class discussion on hurricanes ( how they are formed & what hurricanes have devastated LA) & levees (Why they think New Orleans' levee failed, What is the purpose of a levee, & how they are constructed).
        2.  Complete Group Activity.

Activity #2

    You will:
        Research and complete 3 PowerPoint slides that:
            o Describe the Hurricanes that have affected their area.
            o Describe damages to levees (if there is any)
            o Describe damages to wetlands.
 

Group Work Evaluation Form

Student Evaluation Form

This page was last updated

12/07/2007 10:31 AM