Catastrophe Characteristics and Their Impact on Critical Supply Chains: Problematizing Material Convergence and Management Following Hurricane Katrina

Abstract

The influx of supplies after disaster events helps to meet emergent needs of the impacted area and fill gaps in logistical plans. This same materiel convergence, however, can pose a challenging social problem as 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 examine the ways in which catastrophic events generate unique conditions that impact how materiel convergence presents itself and must be managed. To examine this social problem, we use E.L. Quarantelli’s (2006) six characteristics of catastrophe to explain how the magnitude and scope of the event generated social conditions that had bearing on the movement of critical supplies to, from and within the impacted zone. Data analysis of the materiel convergence and management problem revealed a seventh catastrophe characteristic not previously identified in the literature: mass and extended out-migration of people. Findings are based on qualitative interviews with key organizational actors involved in response efforts.