#1 2005’s Hurricane Katrina Flood
We all remember this hurricane, despite it taking place over 15 years ago. And while people remember the hurricane most prominently, what caused the most problems was the rain and the flood that came along with the really powerful winds. While it’s still somewhat fresh in our minds, it’s still worth mentioning as it has been the most disastrous flood in the last 50 years, with over 1,800 people losing their lives and many more losing their homes.
It’s good to remember that part of the reason this tragedy happened and why it can repeat itself is due to the role people played in changing the landscape of Southern Louisiana. New Orleans was once above sea level, but due to the excessive swamp drainage in the area, the city ended up under sea level. This left it at a high risk of flooding, even with the seawalls and levees built to protect the city.
Furthermore, 80% of the city was flooded, making it the most expensive natural disaster in U.S. history: the damage was estimated at $103.9 billion!
And because the weather isn’t the only way in which disaster can hit a community, read more about the worst wartime decisions ever made by the US army here!
