Hurricane Katrina

On August 29, 2005, Katrina, possibly the most destructive hurricane in our nation's history, hit the Gulf Coast with 140-mile-per-hour winds. Officials in New Orleans, Louisiana, had warned people in the city that the sea walls, or levees, that protect the city from flooding could be destroyed. New Orleans needs levees because the land there is below sea level and is bordered by water to its north and south.  After the worst of the huge storm passed, the levees failed due to the heavy rainfall flooding most of the city. Many thousands of people who had no transportation or who had refused to leave were stranded on rooftops and highways. 

How Did People Respond to Hurricane Katrina?

Why Did Katrina Hit the Gulf Coast Hardest? and What Were the Effects of Katrina on the Gulf Coast?  

What Causes Hurricanes? and Why Are Hurricanes So Dangerous?