There were many factors that contributed to the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina. Some of the main issues that led to the widespread damage and loss of life were the failure of the levees to protect New Orleans from the flooding, the slow response from the government in providing aide to those affected, and the inadequate evacuation plans in place. These problems were compounded by the fact that many of those who were most vulnerable – such as the poor, the elderly, and those with disabilities – were left behind during the evacuation and were unable to get to safety. In the aftermath of the hurricane, there was also a lot of looting and violence, which further added to the chaos.