Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina was a devastating Atlantic tropical cyclone that struck the Gulf Coast of the United States in late August 2005, causing major flooding, especially in New Orleans.
Hurricane Katrina was a catastrophic Atlantic hurricane that struck the Gulf Coast in August 2005. It caused massive flooding in New Orleans and remains one of the costliest disasters in U.S. history.
What it is
Hurricane Katrina was a major tropical cyclone that formed over the Gulf of Mexico in late August 2005. It reached Category 5 intensity at sea but weakened slightly before making landfall on the Louisiana coast as a Category 3 hurricane on August 29, 2005.
Why it matters
Katrina triggered catastrophic flooding in New Orleans after the failure of multiple levees. The storm displaced hundreds of thousands of people, caused 1,833 deaths, and about US$108 billion in damage. It also prompted widespread criticism of emergency planning across North America and influenced disaster policy in Canada and the United States.
Key details
At landfall, sustained winds were about 120 mph (193 km/h). The storm surge and levee failures left much of New Orleans under water for weeks. With 1,833 deaths and US$108 billion in damage, Katrina is one of the deadliest and costliest hurricanes to hit the U.S. on record.
In short
- Made landfall in Louisiana on August 29, 2005 as a Category 3 hurricane.
- Levee failures caused severe flooding in New Orleans.
- 1,833 deaths and roughly US$108 billion in damage.
- Sparked major changes to North American emergency-management policies.
Hurricane Katrina is relevant to Canadian readers as a major North American disaster that affected climate, emergency-management policy, humanitarian response, and disaster-relief discussions across the continent.
Quick questions
When did Hurricane Katrina make landfall?
How many people died in Hurricane Katrina?
How much damage did Hurricane Katrina cause?
Sources
- National Weather Service — https://www.weather.gov/mob/katrinaSupports: Landfall date, category at landfall, fatalities, and damage estimate.
- National Geographic — https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/hurricane-katrinaSupports: Landfall intensity, wind speed, death toll, and damage estimate.
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/event/Hurricane-KatrinaSupports: General description, deaths, damage, and significance.
- NOAA — https://response.restoration.noaa.gov/oil-and-chemical-spills/significant-incidents/hurricanes-katrina-and-ritaSupports: Landfall in Louisiana, flooding in New Orleans, fatalities, and damage estimate.