Hurricane Katrina

About

Hurricane Katrina was a devastating tropical cyclone that made landfall in the United States in late August 2005. It originated as a tropical depression over the southeastern Bahamas on August 23, 2005, and rapidly intensified into a Category 5 hurricane over the Gulf of Mexico. Katrina's peak winds reached 175 mph, making it one of the most powerful Atlantic storms on record. The storm made its major landfall on August 29, 2005, as a Category 3 hurricane near Buras, Louisiana, and a second landfall near the Louisiana-Mississippi border. Katrina's impact was catastrophic, particularly in New Orleans, where the failure of levees led to widespread flooding, with about 80% of the city submerged. The disaster resulted in over 1,800 deaths and an estimated $125 billion in damages, making it one of the deadliest and costliest hurricanes in U.S. history. The storm's effects extended into Mississippi and Alabama, causing significant destruction and displacement. The aftermath of Katrina prompted a massive national and international relief effort, highlighting both the resilience of affected communities and the challenges in disaster response and recovery.