The Traumatic Impact of Hurricane Katrina on Children in New Orleans

This article reviews the traumatic impact of Hurricane Katrina on the children of New Orleans. After describing the events comprising the trauma, it reviews the historical context of hurricanes in New Orleans and the social and political challenges that affected the area's response. It then considers the consequences of Hurricane Katrina in terms of disruption of services and governmental and nongovernmental responses to the psychologic needs created by the storm. The authors review preliminary studies about the affects of the hurricane on children and adolescents and conclude with a consideration of the lessons learned from both practice and policy perspectives.