Catastrophe Characteristics and their Impact on Critical Supply Chains: Problematizing Materiel Convergence and Management Following Hurricane Katrina

Wachtendorf Tricia (), Brown Bethany and Holguin-Veras Jose
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Wachtendorf Tricia: Department of Sociology & Criminal Justice, University of Delaware, Newark, USA
Brown Bethany: Department of Criminal Justice, Loyola University of New Orleans, New Orleans, USA
Holguin-Veras Jose: Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, USA

Journal of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, 2013, vol. 10, issue 2, 497-520

Abstract: The influx of supplies after disaster events helps to meet the emergent needs of the impacted area and fill gaps in logistical plans. This same materiel convergence, however, can present a challenging social problem. Organizations must contend with difficulties in supply acquisition, reception, transport, storage, and distribution. In this paper, we use Hurricane Katrina, which impacted the Gulf Coast of the United States in 2005, as a case study to test whether Enrico L. Quarantelli’s six characteristics of catastrophe generate unique relief provision challenges. Qualitative analysis of interviews with key organizational actors in the response effort revealed that the six characteristics did influence the manifestation of the social problem. Analysis also revealed a seventh catastrophe characteristic: mass and extended out-migration of people.

Keywords: catastrophe; convergence; disaster; Katrina; logistics (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2013
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DOI: 10.1515/jhsem-2012-0069

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