“Hurricane Katrina” by Ellen Rodger
Crabtree Publishing Company, New York, 2007, 32 pages, Grades 4-6.
Hurricanes are huge storms with great destructive powers. Beginning thousands of miles away off the coast of Africa, Atlantic Ocean hurricanes pick up strength from warm ocean waters. Sometimes these storms are not particularly dangerous. But occasionally, these swirling water laden winds become hurricanes.
When these storms reach the Gulf of Mexico, the hurricanes are unpredictable due to the water temperature in the Gulf. When heat and the water rise, the storm can become violent and threaten the southern coast. Hurricane Katrina was one such storm and the horrific damage caused by this monster nearly crushed the city of New Orleans. Ellen Rodger tells the tragic story of this catastrophe in her gripping nonfiction book entitled “Hurricane Katrina.”
The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale has five categories, ranging from a 1 to a 5. This scale was developed in 1971 by civil engineer Herbert Saffir and meteorologist Robert Simpson. The higher the number, the most destructive the hurricane. On Aug. 25, 2005, Hurricane Katrina sweeps across the southern tip of Florida at wind speeds of up to 95 mph. Ten people are killed and many buildings are destroyed. At this point, Katrina is only a Category 1 hurricane.
Four days later, the hurricane smashes into the Mississippi Gulf Coast and the city of New Orleans as a Category 3 hurricane. This means the winds were up to 130 mph and brought a tidal wave of 20 feet that overwhelms the levees and dikes protecting New Orleans.
Disaster quickly follows as people are trapped in the city with no where to go. Telephones, electricity, food and drinking water are not available for many people. Thousands flee to the football stadium, the Superdome. But it runs short on supplies as well.
The federal government, state and local agencies have never encountered an American city that is 80% destroyed and underwater. Volunteers begin driving their personal boats into the swirling maze and begin saving people from their rooftops. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) rushes to New Orleans but is not capable of handling a disaster this enormous. Meanwhile, people are stranded in the rising waters and many drown. The destruction is apocalyptic. What finally happens to New Orleans and the rest of the Mississippi Gulf Coast? To find out, go to the library and check out this exceptional book.
It has taken years to rebuild the Louisiana and Mississippi Gulf Coast. As well, the city of New Orleans finally began to recover. Unfortunately, Hurricane Ida, the fifth-worst hurricane in American history has just struck the area. Its powerful winds and ocean storm surges will again wreak havoc on this beautiful area of the country. Because of lessons learned from Hurricane Katrina, the United States is better prepared this time. For example, emergency crews from Nebraska were dispatched to help with rescue and medical treatment for victims of the storm. The federal government better understands what is necessary as well. Pray that the people of this wonderful region are able to survive and recover from this disaster.
“Hurricane Katrina” by Ellen Rodgers is an authoritative account of the dangers of hurricanes and the response needed to face this terrifying situation. The text is informative and the photographs are outstanding. Highly recommended.
