Changes

From the Gulf states (principally Louisiana and Mississippi), the loss of life is estimated to be 1,836 people. It is clearly one of the most devastating [[Natural disasters|Acts of God]] in recent US history. From Katrina's first landfall in Florida, while it was at category one strength, initial estimates suggest 11 deaths resulted.  

From the Gulf states (principally Louisiana and Mississippi), the loss of life is estimated to be 1,836 people. It is clearly one of the most devastating [[Natural disasters|Acts of God]] in recent US history. From Katrina's first landfall in Florida, while it was at category one strength, initial estimates suggest 11 deaths resulted.  

===Flooding===

===Flooding===

[[File:Katrina flooding New Orleans.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Extent of flood damage within the city of New Orleans (NOAA)]]

[[File:Katrina flooding New Orleans.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Why god why?!]]

The loss of life and property damage was worsened by breaks in the levees that separate New Orleans from surrounding lakes. At least 80% of New Orleans was under flood water on August 31st, largely as a result of levee failures from Lake Pontchartrain. The combination of strong winds, heavy rainfall and storm surge led to breaks in the earthen levee after the storm passed, leaving some parts of New Orleans under 20 feet of water. Storm surge from Mobile Bay led to inundation of Mobile, Alabama causing imposition of a dusk-to-dawn curfew for the City. Large portions of Biloxi and Gulfport, Mississippi were underwater as a result of a 20 to 30+ foot storm surge which flooded the cities.  

The loss of life and property damage was worsened by breaks in the levees that separate New Orleans from surrounding lakes. At least 80% of New Orleans was under flood water on August 31st, largely as a result of levee failures from Lake Pontchartrain. The combination of strong winds, heavy rainfall and storm surge led to breaks in the earthen levee after the storm passed, leaving some parts of New Orleans under 20 feet of water. Storm surge from Mobile Bay led to inundation of Mobile, Alabama causing imposition of a dusk-to-dawn curfew for the City. Large portions of Biloxi and Gulfport, Mississippi were underwater as a result of a 20 to 30+ foot storm surge which flooded the cities.  

===Oil industry===

===Oil industry===

==Political repercussions==

==Political repercussions==

[[File:Mer2006-03p1a.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Flooded school buses in New Orleans]]

[[File:Mer2006-03p1a.jpg|right|200px|thumb|You think this is funny God?!]]

The disaster fueled partisan criticism of the response of federal officials, causing significant political damage to the administration of President [[George W. Bush]]. In particular, deaths of 1,836 people were rather pointedly blamed on President Bush and his appointees, on the grounds that their response was "too little, late."

The disaster fueled partisan criticism of the response of federal officials, causing significant political damage to the administration of President [[George W. Bush]]. In particular, deaths of 1,836 people were rather pointedly blamed on President Bush and his appointees, on the grounds that their response was "too little, late."