University Park ONLY: Formative Assessment 2: Communities at Risk

U.S. examples of communities dealing with coastal hazards.

Part A.

Hurricane Katrina and New Orleans; Super Storm Sandy's Impact on New York and New Jersey

Objectives

• Examine, analyze, and respond to specific examples of ways in which catastrophes caused by coastal hazards impact communities (examples are Super Storm Sandy and Hurricane Katrina)
• Compare and contrast the impacts of two major catastrophic events that have recently affected large U.S. cities.
• Reflect on lessons learned in the past decade from recovery experiences in New Orleans and New York/ New Jersey.

Instructions

Read the sections on Super Storm Sandy in New York and New Jersey and Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans to gain a good idea of all of the ways catastrophic events such as these can impact large U.S. cities and densely populated coastlines. Organize the main points covered in the materials under the following headings. Write brief notes under each heading.

1. The statistics of the two storms: Katrina and Sandy (this can be in the form of a table):
   
   *Surge heights
   *Wind strengths
   *Total areas covered by storms
   *Areas of land impacted by the storms
   *Number of fatalities caused by the two storms
   *Overall cost of damages incurred
   *Number of structures (homes and businesses) destroyed by the two storms
2. Other metrics mentioned in the materials that help to provide a picture of the magnitude of the impact to the communities affected (e.g., loss of power, loss of services such as health care, schools, etc.)
3. Make a list of the types of infrastructure that is compromised by a storm of the magnitude of Sandy or Katrina in a densely populated area.
4. In what ways are the lives of residents disrupted when a disaster like these two storms hits a large city?
5. What long term impacts to the communities have occurred? Was the overall economy of either place impacted in a negative or positive way?
6. Recovery from the widespread destruction that New Orleans experienced with Katrina is a complex topic, which we do not have time to examine in detail here. The articles at: NextCity.org: How to Tell When New Orleans Has Recovered From Katrinaand Hurricane Katrina eight years later, a statistical snapshot of the New Orleans area are very helpful summaries of where things stood in 2008 and 2014.
   
   After reading these articles, list three main points you took from the article in regard to where New Orleans was as of 2008 and summer 2014 in the recovery process.
7. As of writing in 2015, it is a decade since Katrina happened and three years since Sandy. What lessons can be taken from these events that would help a U.S. community affected in the future by an event of such a size?

Part B.

Objectives:

• Summarize pros and cons of the choices regarding Bonner Bridge from various points of view.
• Write a paragraph arguing your own point of view on the Bonner Bridge issue.
• Outline a future scenario for Bonner Bridge.

Instructions:

1. Read the materials related to the Bonner Bridge and the dilemma surrounding the need to replace the bridge to Hatteras Island.
2. Go to the WRAL link to the video documentary Bridge in Troubled Waters. Watch the video and read the accompanying materials to gain an understanding of the complexities of the questions surrounding the future of the Bonner Bridge:
3. Make notes on the pros and cons of the options under two of the following headings:
   
   *Viewpoint of Hatteras Island business owner;
   *Viewpoint of a scientist or engineer;
   *Viewpoint of an Environmental group spokesperson;
   *Viewpoint of a politician representing the constituents of the North Carolina coastal area;
   *Another viewpoint (specify).
4. Write a concluding response from your own point of view, supporting your argument with facts obtained from the materials.
5. What do you think is the most realistic future scenario for Bonner Bridge, given all the various opinions expressed in the video?

Note: You will need to download the worksheet to complete and submit your assignment.

Files

Download the Worksheet (Microsoft Word 2007 (.docx) 17kB Sep7 16)

Download the Rubric (Microsoft Word 2007 (.docx) 79kB Sep7 16)

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