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Hurricane Katrina: A Nation Still Unprepared
Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
Abstract
The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs conducted an investigation into the factors that contributed to the flawed response to Hurricane Katrina by the U.S. government. The Committee reviewed preparation and response materials and actions from shortly after the occurrence of Hurricane Katrina. The report found that there were four major flaws in the response to the natural disaster: unheeded warnings, poor decision-making during the event, failed response systems, and ineffective leadership.
Date
2006-05-01
Document Type
Senate Committee Approved Report
Serial Number
109-322.S
Document Length
737 pages
Congress
109
Relation
DOI
Keywords
Committee Approved Reports
PAP Major Code
15: Banking, Finance, and Domestic Commerce
PAP Minor Code
1523: Domestic Disaster Relief
Related Hearings
• Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, hearing on "Recovering from Hurricane Katrina: The Next Phase," 109th Cong., S.Hrg. 109-399, (2005, September 14)
• Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, hearing on "Recovering from Hurricane Katrina: Responding to the Immediate Needs of Its Victims," 109th Cong., S.Hrg. 109-445, (2005, September 28)
• Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, hearing on "Hurricane Katrina: How is FEMA Performing Its Mission at This Stage of Recovery?" 109th Cong., S.Hrg. 109-467, (2005, October 6)
• Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, hearing on "Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans: A Flooded City, a Chaotic Response," 109th Cong., S.Hrg. 109-482, (2005, October 20)
• Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, hearing on "Hurricane Katrina: Why Did the Levees Fail?" 109th Cong., S.Hrg. 109-526, (2005, November 2)
• Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, hearing on "Always Ready: The Coast Guard's Response to Hurricane Katrina," 109th Cong., S.Hrg. 109-527, (2005, November 9)
• Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, hearing on "Hurricane Katrina: What Can Government Learn from the Private Sector's Response," 109th Cong., S.Hrg. 109-538, (2005, November 16)
• Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, hearing on "Hurricane Katrina: Perspectives of FEMA's Operations Professionals," 109th Cong., S.Hrg. 109-591, (2005, December 8)
• Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, hearing on "Hurricane Katrina: Who's in Charge of the New Orleans Levees?" 109th Cong., S.Hrg. 109-616, (2005, December 15)
• Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, hearing on "Hurricane Katrina: Mississippi's Recovery," 109th Cong., S.Hrg. 109-711, (2006, January 17)
• Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, hearing on "Preparing for a Catastrophe: The Hurricane Pam Exercise," 109th Cong., S.Hrg. 109-403, (2006, January 24)
• Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, hearing on "Hurricane Katrina: Urban Search and Rescue in a Catastrophe," 109th Cong., S.Hrg. 109-757, (2006, January 30)
• Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, hearing on "Challenges in a Catastrophe: Evacuating New Orleans in Advance of Hurricane Katrina," 109th Cong., S.Hrg. 109-735, (2006, January 31)
• Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, hearing on "Hurricane Katrina: Managing the Crisis and Evacuating New Orleans," 109th Cong., S.Hrg. 109-793, (2006, February 1)
• Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, hearing on "Hurricane Katrina: Managing Law Enforcement and Communication in a Catastrophe," 109th Cong., S.Hrg. 109-807, (2006, February 6)
• Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, hearing on "Hurricane Katrina: The Defense Department's Role in the Response," 109th Cong., S.Hrg. 109-813, (2006, February 9)
• Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, hearing on "Hurricane Katrina: The Roles of DHS and FEMA Leadership," 109th Cong., S.Hrg. 109-829, (2006, February 10)
• Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, hearing on "Hurricane Katrina: Waste, Fraud, and Abuse Worsen the Disaster," 109th Cong., S.Hrg. 109-731, (2006, February 13)
• Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, hearing on "Hurricane Katrina: The Homeland Security Department's Preparation and Response," 109th Cong., S.Hrg. 109-848, (2006, February 15)
• Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, hearing on "Hurricane Katrina: Recommendations for Reform," 109th Cong., S.Hrg. 109-863, (2006, March 8)
• Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, hearing on "FEMA's Manufactured Housing Program: Haste Makes Waste (Field Hearing in Hope, Arkansas)," 109th Cong., S.Hrg. 109-962, (2006, April 21)
• House Committee on Financial Services, hearing on “H.R. 4100, the Louisiana Recovery Corporation Act,” 109th Cong., H.Hrg. 109-64, (2005, November 17)
• House Committee on Science, hearing on “NOAA Hurricane Forecasting,” 109th Cong., H.Hrg. 109-26, (2005, October 7)
• Senate Committee on Government Affairs, hearing on “Rebuilding FEMA: Preparing for the Next Disaster,” 103rd Cong., S.Hrg. 103-527, (1993, May 18)
• House Select Committee to Investigate the Preparation and Response to Hurricane Katrina, hearing on “Predicting Hurricanes: What We Knew About Katrina and When,” 109th Cong., (2005, September 22)
• Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, hearing on “The Life Saving Role of Accurate Hurricane Prediction,” 108th Cong., (2005, September 20)
• House Select Committee to Investigate the Preparation and Response to Hurricane Katrina, hearing on “Hurricane Katrina: Preparedness and Response by the State of Mississippi,” 109th Cong., (2005, December 7)
• Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, hearing on “Hurricane Katrina: The Role of Governors in Managing the Catastrophe,” 109th Cong., S.Hrg. 109-804, (2006, February 2)
• House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, hearing on “Rebuilding Transit Infrastructure in the Gulf Coast Area,” 109th Cong., (2005, October 27)
• Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, hearing on “Forming A Comprehensive Approach To Meeting The Water Resources Needs Of Coastal Louisiana In The Wake Of Hurricanes Katrina And Rita,” 109th Cong., S.Hrg. 109-1009, (2005, November 9)
• Senate Committee on Armed Services, Subcommittee on Nuclear Deterrance, Arms Control and Defense Intelligence, hearing on “Disaster Management: Recent Disasters Demonstrate the Need to Improve the Nation’s Response Strategy,” 103rd Cong., (1993, May 25)
• Senate, Committee on Environment and Public Works, hearing to “Evaluate the Degree to Which the Preliminary Findings on the Failure of the Levees are Being Incorporated Into the Restoration of Hurricane Protection,” 109th Cong., S. Hrg. 109-1013, (2005, November 17)
• House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, hearing on “Expert Views on Hurricane and Flood Protection and Water Resources Planning for a Rebuilt Gulf Coast,” 109th Cong., (2005, October 20 and 27)
• House Select Bipartisan Committee to Investigate the Preparation for and Response to Hurricane Katrina, hearing on “Hurricane Katrina: The Role of the Department of Homeland Security,” 109th Cong., (2005, October 19)
• Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, hearing on “Hurricane Katrina: Urban Search and Rescue in a Catastrophe,” 109th Cong., S. Hrg. 109-757, (2006, January 20)
• House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs, Housing and Urban Development and Independent Agencies, hearing on “VA and HUD Appropriations,” 107th Cong., (2001, May 17)
• Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs, hearing to “Consider the Nomination of Michael D. Brown to be Deputy Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency,” 107th Cong., S. Hrg. 107-616, (2002, June 19)
• House Select Bipartisan Committee to Investigate the Preparation for and Response to Hurricane Katrina, hearing on “Hurricane Katrina: The Role of the Federal Emergency Management Agency,” 109th Cong., (2005, September 27)
• Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, Subcommittee on Clean Air, Climate Change and Nuclear Safety, hearing on “FEMA Oversight,” 108th Cong., (2003, September 24)
• House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet, hearing on “Public Safety Communications from 9/11 to Katrina: Critical Public Policy Lessons,” 109th Cong., H.Hrg. 109-52, (2005, September 29)
• House Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Science, and Technology, hearing on “Ensuring Operability During Catastrophic Events,” 109th Cong., H.Hrg. 109-49, (2005, October 26)
• Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, hearing on "Recovering from Hurricane Katrina: Responding to the Immediate Needs of Its Victims," 109th Cong., S.Hrg. 109-445, (2005, September 28)
• Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, hearing on "Hurricane Katrina: How is FEMA Performing Its Mission at This Stage of Recovery?" 109th Cong., S.Hrg. 109-467, (2005, October 6)
• Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, hearing on "Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans: A Flooded City, a Chaotic Response," 109th Cong., S.Hrg. 109-482, (2005, October 20)
• Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, hearing on "Hurricane Katrina: Why Did the Levees Fail?" 109th Cong., S.Hrg. 109-526, (2005, November 2)
• Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, hearing on "Always Ready: The Coast Guard's Response to Hurricane Katrina," 109th Cong., S.Hrg. 109-527, (2005, November 9)
• Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, hearing on "Hurricane Katrina: What Can Government Learn from the Private Sector's Response," 109th Cong., S.Hrg. 109-538, (2005, November 16)
• Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, hearing on "Hurricane Katrina: Perspectives of FEMA's Operations Professionals," 109th Cong., S.Hrg. 109-591, (2005, December 8)
• Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, hearing on "Hurricane Katrina: Who's in Charge of the New Orleans Levees?" 109th Cong., S.Hrg. 109-616, (2005, December 15)
• Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, hearing on "Hurricane Katrina: Mississippi's Recovery," 109th Cong., S.Hrg. 109-711, (2006, January 17)
• Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, hearing on "Preparing for a Catastrophe: The Hurricane Pam Exercise," 109th Cong., S.Hrg. 109-403, (2006, January 24)
• Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, hearing on "Hurricane Katrina: Urban Search and Rescue in a Catastrophe," 109th Cong., S.Hrg. 109-757, (2006, January 30)
• Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, hearing on "Challenges in a Catastrophe: Evacuating New Orleans in Advance of Hurricane Katrina," 109th Cong., S.Hrg. 109-735, (2006, January 31)
• Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, hearing on "Hurricane Katrina: Managing the Crisis and Evacuating New Orleans," 109th Cong., S.Hrg. 109-793, (2006, February 1)
• Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, hearing on "Hurricane Katrina: Managing Law Enforcement and Communication in a Catastrophe," 109th Cong., S.Hrg. 109-807, (2006, February 6)
• Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, hearing on "Hurricane Katrina: The Defense Department's Role in the Response," 109th Cong., S.Hrg. 109-813, (2006, February 9)
• Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, hearing on "Hurricane Katrina: The Roles of DHS and FEMA Leadership," 109th Cong., S.Hrg. 109-829, (2006, February 10)
• Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, hearing on "Hurricane Katrina: Waste, Fraud, and Abuse Worsen the Disaster," 109th Cong., S.Hrg. 109-731, (2006, February 13)
• Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, hearing on "Hurricane Katrina: The Homeland Security Department's Preparation and Response," 109th Cong., S.Hrg. 109-848, (2006, February 15)
• Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, hearing on "Hurricane Katrina: Recommendations for Reform," 109th Cong., S.Hrg. 109-863, (2006, March 8)
• Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, hearing on "FEMA's Manufactured Housing Program: Haste Makes Waste (Field Hearing in Hope, Arkansas)," 109th Cong., S.Hrg. 109-962, (2006, April 21)
• House Committee on Financial Services, hearing on “H.R. 4100, the Louisiana Recovery Corporation Act,” 109th Cong., H.Hrg. 109-64, (2005, November 17)
• House Committee on Science, hearing on “NOAA Hurricane Forecasting,” 109th Cong., H.Hrg. 109-26, (2005, October 7)
• Senate Committee on Government Affairs, hearing on “Rebuilding FEMA: Preparing for the Next Disaster,” 103rd Cong., S.Hrg. 103-527, (1993, May 18)
• House Select Committee to Investigate the Preparation and Response to Hurricane Katrina, hearing on “Predicting Hurricanes: What We Knew About Katrina and When,” 109th Cong., (2005, September 22)
• Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, hearing on “The Life Saving Role of Accurate Hurricane Prediction,” 108th Cong., (2005, September 20)
• House Select Committee to Investigate the Preparation and Response to Hurricane Katrina, hearing on “Hurricane Katrina: Preparedness and Response by the State of Mississippi,” 109th Cong., (2005, December 7)
• Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, hearing on “Hurricane Katrina: The Role of Governors in Managing the Catastrophe,” 109th Cong., S.Hrg. 109-804, (2006, February 2)
• House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, hearing on “Rebuilding Transit Infrastructure in the Gulf Coast Area,” 109th Cong., (2005, October 27)
• Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, hearing on “Forming A Comprehensive Approach To Meeting The Water Resources Needs Of Coastal Louisiana In The Wake Of Hurricanes Katrina And Rita,” 109th Cong., S.Hrg. 109-1009, (2005, November 9)
• Senate Committee on Armed Services, Subcommittee on Nuclear Deterrance, Arms Control and Defense Intelligence, hearing on “Disaster Management: Recent Disasters Demonstrate the Need to Improve the Nation’s Response Strategy,” 103rd Cong., (1993, May 25)
• Senate, Committee on Environment and Public Works, hearing to “Evaluate the Degree to Which the Preliminary Findings on the Failure of the Levees are Being Incorporated Into the Restoration of Hurricane Protection,” 109th Cong., S. Hrg. 109-1013, (2005, November 17)
• House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, hearing on “Expert Views on Hurricane and Flood Protection and Water Resources Planning for a Rebuilt Gulf Coast,” 109th Cong., (2005, October 20 and 27)
• House Select Bipartisan Committee to Investigate the Preparation for and Response to Hurricane Katrina, hearing on “Hurricane Katrina: The Role of the Department of Homeland Security,” 109th Cong., (2005, October 19)
• Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, hearing on “Hurricane Katrina: Urban Search and Rescue in a Catastrophe,” 109th Cong., S. Hrg. 109-757, (2006, January 20)
• House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs, Housing and Urban Development and Independent Agencies, hearing on “VA and HUD Appropriations,” 107th Cong., (2001, May 17)
• Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs, hearing to “Consider the Nomination of Michael D. Brown to be Deputy Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency,” 107th Cong., S. Hrg. 107-616, (2002, June 19)
• House Select Bipartisan Committee to Investigate the Preparation for and Response to Hurricane Katrina, hearing on “Hurricane Katrina: The Role of the Federal Emergency Management Agency,” 109th Cong., (2005, September 27)
• Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, Subcommittee on Clean Air, Climate Change and Nuclear Safety, hearing on “FEMA Oversight,” 108th Cong., (2003, September 24)
• House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet, hearing on “Public Safety Communications from 9/11 to Katrina: Critical Public Policy Lessons,” 109th Cong., H.Hrg. 109-52, (2005, September 29)
• House Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Science, and Technology, hearing on “Ensuring Operability During Catastrophic Events,” 109th Cong., H.Hrg. 109-49, (2005, October 26)