Final answer:
Scientists anticipated the potential for a catastrophic hurricane to hit New Orleans, emphasizing inadequate levee protections. The disaster of Hurricane Katrina was considered a serious concern, not impossible or a remote possibility, and the consequences highlighted societal inequalities.
Step-by-step explanation:
As of early 2016, Hurricane Katrina in 2005 was recorded as the most costly and third most deadly natural disaster in the United States since 1900. Scientists and engineers had warned about the potential for a catastrophic hurricane to strike New Orleans, emphasizing that the existing protections against hurricanes, such as the levees, were inadequate and might not withstand a severe storm surge. The anticipation of a disaster like Hurricane Katrina was not considered impossible but rather a serious concern that warranted attention and preparation. The failed levees during Katrina tragically underscored this point, with many residents unable to evacuate, particularly those from poorer neighborhoods primarily consisting of African Americans, which highlighted underlying issues of economic inequality, racial divisions, and governmental response.