EnvironmentAugust 27, 2015
Is New Orleans Safer Today Than When Katrina Hit 10 Years Ago?
People inside the city walls are more protected against flooding, for now, but residents outside the city are not
Hurricane Katrina's Devastating Lessons
In the 10 years since this deadly storm, which also came in as one of the costliest natural disasters in U.S. history, the nation’s leaders and engineers still struggle to upgrade our preparedness
Mind & BrainAugust 24, 2015
Hurricane Katrina's Psychological Scars Revealed
Mental health worsened in the disaster’s aftermath, but survivors also showed resilience
EnvironmentAugust 24, 2015
When the Next Hurricane Katrina Hits: Is the U.S. Ready?
The 2005 storm forced New Orleans to improve its flood defenses, but many other shoreline towns are still woefully unprepared
EnvironmentAugust 20, 2015
Mississippi River Mouth Must Be Abandoned to Save New Orleans from Next Hurricane Katrina
Three nationwide design teams reveal realistic plans to massively rebuild the disintegrating delta
EnvironmentAugust 14, 2015
Katrina and Its Recovery Cost More for These 3 Groups of People [Excerpt]
In a new book author John C. Mutter combines natural science and physical science to explore how disasters deepen social inequalities
WeatherOctober 21, 2014
The Science of Monster Storms
Extreme weather events are nothing new, but they appear to be gaining strength. Scientists have risked life and limb to help us better understand—and better survive—these storms
EnvironmentFebruary 26, 2014
Offshore Wind Farms Could Knock Down Hurricanes
A forest of 78,000 turbines would have drastically reduced the winds and storm surges from hurricanes Katrina and Sandy
EnvironmentJune 12, 2013
New York City Could Look Like New Orleans, Due to Flood Protection
EnvironmentMay 28, 2013
New Orleans Protection Plan Nearly Identical to Scientific American s 2006 Plan
EnvironmentOctober 29, 2012
Sandy versus Katrina, and Irene: Monster Hurricanes by the Numbers
Which storm has the highest wind speed, largest area, most snowfall?
WeatherMay 18, 2012
Instant Egghead--How Do Hurricanes Form?
Hurricane season begins in May and lasts through November, producing dozens of powerful hurricanes. In this episode of Instant Egghead, Scientific American editor Mark Fischetti explains how these massive storms get their start.
EnvironmentJanuary 26, 2012
New Orleans Protection Plan Will Rely on Wetlands to Hold Back Hurricanes
EnvironmentJuly 15, 2010
How Will a Hurricane Affect the Oil Spill?
Hurricane Alex provided a preview of the likely impacts of a hurricane on the ongoing oil spill
EnvironmentApril 15, 2008
Listening In on Hurricanes
Flying a plane over a hurricane to gather data is expensive--and dangerous. Getting equivalent data, by using undersea hydrophones that record the hurricane-driven churning of the ocean may be a cheaper, safer alternative. Cynthia Graber reports
PolicyFebruary 1, 2006
Protecting New Orleans
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated the Gulf Coast. The storm season starts again this June--and every June. Can coastal communities ever be safeguarded?
The SciencesNovember 1, 2005
Protecting against the Next Katrina
Wetlands mitigate flooding, but are they too damaged in the gulf?
The SciencesOctober 1, 2001
Drowning New Orleans
A major hurricane could swamp New Orleans under 20 feet of water, killing thousands. Human activities along the Mississippi River have dramatically increased the risk, and now only massive reengineering of southeastern Louisiana can save the city