Hurricane Katrina: A Scientist's Response

The scenario had been predicted and the storm's path and intensity accurately forecast. Even so, when Hurricane Katrina struck, government agencies and residents alike seemed to be caught horribly off guard. In this video, a news correspondent returns to New Orleans a year after he spoke with experts about the threat a powerful hurricane posed for the city, to find out how their predictions played out when a big one actually did strike. It includes an interview with a hurricane expert from Louisiana State University who expresses his frustration that his warnings were largely ignored. The segment is four minutes in length. A background essay and list of discussion questions are also included. Educational levels: Middle school, High school