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Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.
Katrina: One year anniversary
On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina made landfall along the Gulf coast of the southeastern United States, causing unprecedented damage from eastern Louisiana to near Mobile, Alabama, due to the high winds and storm surge. Over the past year, EPA has worked with Federal, State and local partners to assist in the recovery from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. To date, EPA has:
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Conducted environmental monitoring and sampling of water, air, floodwater and residual sediment resulting in more than 400,000 analyses
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Responded to approximately 70 emergency situations to address chemical spills, fires, and other emergencies causing an immediate public threat
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Played a key role in the overall debris mission with FEMA and the Corps, for which the total estimates are expected to top 118 million cubic yards. EPA provided technical advice and assistance, promoted recycling, and handled the disposal of over 4 million containers of household hazardous waste
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Assisted in the proper handling and recycling of over 380,000 large appliances (refrigerators, freezers, and air conditioners)
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Collected and recycled over 661,000 electronic goods to save important landfill space and ensure the reuse of metal components
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Assessed approximately 4000 water systems to determine their viability after the storms and provide assistance where requested; inspected over 3,500 potable water trucks to ensure drinkable water was delivered promptly to areas affected by the hurricane
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Assessed approximately 1,300 underground storage tank locations and over 1,600 chemical facilities and refineries
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Assessed approximately 900 public and parochial school chemistry classrooms and removed chemicals and other equipment from 130 chemistry laboratory classrooms to ensure safe schools for returning students.
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Continued to monitor 12 temporary ambient air monitoring sites throughout LA
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Continued to provide oversight of the cleanup by Murphy Oil of a large oil spill which impacted hundreds of homes in St. Bernard Parish (Murphy has completed the external cleanup of 1854 homes).