2006-2008
Hurricane Katrina was perhaps the largest single natural disaster in America’s history. Millions of people were on the hurricane’s path. About half a million people in New Orleans were displaced by floods caused by Hurricane Katrina. Many who were displaced as a result of the storm had still not returned to their former neighborhoods over 2 years later. The hurricane and its aftermath offered a unique opportunity to study the consequences of a major disaster for people served by ACF programs. This project examined opportunities for research on the effects of the hurricane on migration, income and employment, program needs, and program effects. The main objective of this feasibility study was to determine which research avenues offer the best opportunities for informing policy discussion and programmatic response to major disasters and other emergencies.