Distribution of impacts of natural disasters across income groups: A case study of New Orleans

Abstract

This paper explores elements of vulnerability to natural disasters in the context of Hurricane Katrina. We examine whether neighborhoods in New Orleans were impacted differently by Hurricane Katrina based on pre-existing social, physical and economic vulnerabilities. We evaluate the degree to which the initial impacts of Hurricane Katrina were distributed among the New Orleans' residents. Geographic Information System (GIS) technology was used to perform analyses using household income, housing values, and elevation and flood levels. Next, we investigate whether particular socio-economic groups in the city were more vulnerable during the response and recovery phases. Findings indicate that Hurricane Katrina caused severe flood damages in the majority of New Orleans neighborhoods, regardless of income, elevation and other social factors. However, findings do suggest that pre-existing socio-economic conditions play a significant role in the ability for particular economic classes to respond immediately to the disaster and to cope with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The paper concludes with policy recommendations to reduce social and economic vulnerabilities to natural disasters, as well as suggestions for future research.