Hurricane katrina still offers lessons for disaster recovery researchers, 20 years later.
Hurricane Katrina-which made landfall in Louisiana in August 2005-is among the worst natural disasters to ever hit the united States, devastating communities across the Gulf Coast and forcing more than 1.5 million residents to evacuate their homes.
Its well established that the destruction and grief caused by hurricanes and other natural disasters can harm mental health in the short -term. A new analysis coauthored by NYU School of Global Public Health’s Jonathan Purtle found that suicides and drug overdoses spiked among local residents right after the Maui wildfires, and other studies have shown an uptick in psychiatric medications prescribed to Californians in the six weeks after nearby wildfires.But what happens after the cameras leave and federal assistance and recovery programs end? And why is it that some people can recover quickly after a disaster, while others struggle for years?
These questions are central to research led by Merdjanoffthe director of the environmental public health program and assistant professor of social and behavioral sciences at NYU School of Global Public Health. As a sociologist, Merdjanoff focuses on the long-term recovery and resilience in populations affected by disasters, from Hurricanes Katrina, sandy, and Ian to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
“Recovery programming is often focused on the first three to six months after a disaster, but people still need help after that time,” says Merdjanoff.
“Thay may not realize what they need until their housing is settled and their kids are back in school. After those more immediate needs are met, they may require a small business loan or mental health services.”
For the past 15 years, Merdjanoff has been analyzing data from the Gulf Coast Child and Family Health Study, a longitudinal research study led by NYU School of Global Public Health’s David Abramson of more than a thousand families in Louisiana and Mississippi who were displaced or experienced major disruptions due to Hurricane Katrina.
Now, two decades after the storm, she reflects on what researchers have learned from these residents and how their findings can help communities recover from future disasters.
Lasting aftermaths
Studies show that having strong social ties and community support increases resiliency and people’s ability to recover after disasters. In contrast, being displaced from one’s home can have a range of negative effects, from hurting employment prospects to harming mental health.
Using survey data from New Orleans residents, Merdjanoff’s research found that housing damage and being a renter (rather than a homeowner) were linked to greater emotional distress. These poor mental health outcomes frequently enough persisted for more than a decade after the hurricane; actually, a delayed onset of PTSD symptoms was common after Hurricane Katrina, which short-term disaster programs fail to address.
Many Gulf Coast r## Building Resilience: how Intergenerational Programs Can Help Older Adults Navigate Climate Disasters
As climate change fuels more frequent and intense natural disasters, communities are grappling with how to protect their most vulnerable populations. While some propose relocating residents from high-risk areas, many older adults are deeply rooted in their homes and communities and resist leaving. This reality necessitates a shift in focus: how can we empower older adults to age safely in place, even as the threat of climate-related disasters grows?
Dr. Yasmin Moriah Merdjanoff, a researcher at New York University, is dedicated to answering this question. For decades, she has been studying the long-term impact of disasters on older adults, beginning with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and continuing through Hurricane Sandy in 2012, Hurricane Ian in 2022, and recent flooding in Texas. Her research, conducted through interviews, focus groups, and surveys in Louisiana, New Jersey, New york, and Florida, reveals a complex picture of the challenges faced by seniors during and after disasters.
Merdjanoff’s work highlights that older adults face heightened risks beyond physical health concerns and social isolation. They are particularly vulnerable to scams perpetrated by predatory contractors, fraudulent FEMA representatives, and identity thieves seeking to steal insurance funds or disaster assistance. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) consistently warns of increased scam activity following major disasters, and older adults are disproportionately targeted. FTC data shows a important surge in disaster-related fraud reports.
Despite geographic variations – for example, older adults in New York City experience less loneliness but face higher housing costs – Merdjanoff has identified common threads across different disasters and locations. These shared experiences have informed the progress of a pilot program designed to bolster disaster resilience among older adults.
The program, slated for testing in New York City, the Jersey shore, and Florida, will pair older adults with younger individuals.Together,they will participate in exercises focused on disaster preparedness,sharing life experiences,and learning to identify and avoid scams. This intergenerational approach aims to foster social cohesion and mutual learning. Merdjanoff emphasizes that the relationship is not solely about younger people assisting seniors.”Older adults have lived through a lot,” merdjanoff explains. “They may have lost a spouse or friends, or recovered from illness themselves. They’ve experienced enough to put things in perspective. How do we tap into this perspective for others and use older adults as a resource?” Research supports the value of intergenerational connections, demonstrating benefits like reduced social isolation and increased emotional well-being for both age groups. AARP highlights the growing trend of intergenerational living and its positive impacts.
Merdjanoff’s work underscores a critical point: while natural disasters are certain, their consequences are not. She expresses frustration that the same mistakes are repeated with each successive disaster, from Katrina to Sandy to Ian and the recent Texas floods.
“We need to think creatively about what we take from the important lessons of Katrina to make sure people don’t suffer the same consequences,” she states. Learning from past failures and implementing proactive, community-based solutions – like the intergenerational resilience program – are essential to protecting older adults and building more resilient communities in the face of a changing climate.