Beyond Katrina: Improving Disaster Response Capabilities

Quite clearly, however, the normal model was inadequate to handle the results of Katrina—and showed weakness in managing the fi erce but less demanding challenges of Rita and Wilma. These shortcomings must be addressed if the country is to be ready for serious challenges that may lie ahead, whether severe natural disasters, outbreaks of emergent infectious disease, or renewed terrorist attacks. We see six core challenges.