This fact sheet reviews threats to opportunity in the Gulf Coast region and the nation. It also draws upon a range of research and reporting on pre- and post-Hurricane Katrina conditions to distill some key lessons from the storm.
While no one was immune from the Hurricane Katrina’s devastation, some groups—particularly low-income and minority communities—were disproportionately hurt by the government’s lack of preparation for, and its slow response to, the storm. Hurricane Katrina therefore exposed yawning opportunity gaps that cannot be overcome simply through individual initiative and hard work.
Many of the challenges facing New Orleans and Gulf Coast residents prior to the storm are also barriers to opportunity for millions across the nation. Equal access to fair wages, affordable and safe places to live, and comprehensive health care are out of reach for millions in America. The nation’s leaders have a responsibility to address the inequality that Hurricane Katrina exposed and to take steps to expand opportunity for all.
