Collaborative BWP Writing

Please provide feedback on:
1) Do I need more detial here?
2) Do you want more of an overview of what the DMN said on August 30. 2005?

II. Devastation/Aftermath-08/01/06

Luckily, when the storm hit, it had decreased to a Category 3, but the destruction was still inconceivable. “It is estimated that Katrina impacted 90,000 square miles (an area nearly the size of the United Kingdom), displaced more than one million people, killed more than 1,300 people, and exceeded $80 billion in costs.” (Cutter, Emrich, Mitchell, et al, p. 1) This was the most devastating storm in the history of the United States.

Beyond the physical devastation of Katrina, there were several aftershocks: lack of clean drinking water, no power, insufficient law enforcement, greatly reduced food supplies to name a few. The effects of the Katrina were sure to be felt for many years to come---not only on a nation-wide level, but this is an event that impacted the personal lives of thousands of people and will continue to do so as we encounter more survivors and displaced refugees from the storm. With Hurricane Katrina, we now somehow transcend national news and delve into the deeper level of personal survival and loss.

Beyond the financial and logistical impact of rebuilding the coastal areas that were destroyed by Katrina, we are faced with perhaps a larger issue: How will we rebuild a nation’s trust in the government to prepare and protect American citizens in a future disaster?

For many, one of the casualties of Katrina is faith in government. There was so much controversy on response time and relief efforts. We’re still hearing about the inappropriate distribution of funding and inefficacy of relief efforts. Many question: Where was the government? Why weren’t we prepared for this?

It is this ongoing speculation and doubt that has permeated the nation: the uncertainty about future disasters, the fear that no changes have been made. The suspicion and distrust in our leaders to protect us. What relief efforts have been made for this loss? What rebuilding has been planned and implemented to repair this shattered trust?