Hurricane Katrina

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#REDIRECT [[Hurricane Katrina]]

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{{Other hurricane uses|Tropical Storm Katrina (disambiguation){{!}}Tropical Storm Katrina|the Atlantic hurricane of 2005}}

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{{Infobox Hurricane

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| Name=Hurricane Katrina

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| Type=hurricane

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| Year=2005

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| Basin=Atl

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| Image location=Hurricane Katrina August_28_2005 NASA.jpg

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| Image name=Hurricane Katrina at peak strength on August 28, 2005

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| Formed=August 23, 2005

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| Dissipated=August 30, 2005

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| 1-min winds=150

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| Pressure=902

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| Damages=108000

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| Damagespost=[[List of costliest Atlantic hurricanes|Costliest]] [[hurricane]] in US history<ref name="Dead 2011">{{cite web|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/nws-nhc-6.pdf|page=47|title=The deadliest, costliest and most intense United States tropical cyclones from 1851 to 2010 (and other frequently requested hurricane facts)|work=National Climatic Data Center, National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2011-08-10|date=2011-08-10|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration}}</ref>

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| Fatalities= 1,833 confirmed<ref name="summarysep152011">{{cite web|title=Tropical Cyclone Report - Hurricane Katrina|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/TCR-AL122005_Katrina.pdf}}</ref>

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| Areas=[[Bahamas]], [[South Florida]], [[Cuba]], [[Louisiana]] (especially [[Greater New Orleans]]), [[Mississippi]], [[Alabama]], [[Florida Panhandle]], most of eastern [[North America]]

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| Hurricane season=[[2005 Atlantic hurricane season]]

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}}

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'''Hurricane Katrina''' was the deadliest and most destructive [[North Atlantic tropical cyclone|Atlantic hurricane]] of the [[2005 Atlantic hurricane season]]. It was the [[List of costliest Atlantic hurricanes|costliest]] natural disaster, as well as one of the five [[List of deadliest Atlantic hurricanes|deadliest]] [[tropical cyclone|hurricanes]], in the [[history of the United States]].<ref name="KatrinaTCR">{{cite web|last=Knabb|first=Richard D|coauthors=Rhome, Jamie R.; Brown, Daniel P|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/TCR-AL122005_Katrina.pdf|format=PDF|title=Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Katrina: 23–30 August 2005|publisher=[[National Hurricane Center]]|date=December 20, 2005; updated August 10, 2006|accessdate=2006-05-30}}</ref> Among recorded [[North Atlantic tropical cyclone|Atlantic hurricane]]s, it was the [[List of the most intense tropical cyclones#North Atlantic Ocean|sixth strongest overall]]. At least 1,833 people died in the hurricane and subsequent floods, making it the deadliest U.S. hurricane since the [[1928 Okeechobee hurricane]]; total property damage was estimated at $81 billion (2005 USD),<ref name="KatrinaTCR"/> nearly triple the damage brought by [[Hurricane Andrew]] in 1992.<ref name="andrewtcr">{{cite web|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/1992andrew.html|title=Preliminary Report for Hurricane Andrew|accessdate=2008-04-10|last=Rappaport|first=Ed|publisher= National Hurricane Center}}</ref>

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Hurricane Katrina formed over [[the Bahamas]] on August 23, 2005 and crossed southern [[Florida]] as a moderate [[Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale#Category 1|Category 1 hurricane]], causing some deaths and flooding there before strengthening rapidly in the [[Gulf of Mexico]]. The hurricane strengthened to a [[Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale#Category 5|Category 5]] hurricane over the warm Gulf water, but weakened before making its second landfall as a [[Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale#Category 3|Category 3]] hurricane on the morning of Monday, August 29 in southeast Louisiana. It caused severe destruction along the Gulf coast from central Florida to Texas, much of it due to the [[storm surge]]. The most significant [[Effects of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans|number of deaths]] occurred in [[New Orleans]], [[Louisiana]], which flooded as the [[levee]] system [[Catastrophic failure|catastrophically failed]], in many cases hours after the storm had moved inland.<ref name="TPInteractive" /> Eventually 80% of the city and large tracts of neighboring [[list of parishes of Louisiana|parishes]] became flooded, and the floodwaters lingered for weeks.<ref name="TPInteractive">{{cite web|last=Swenson|first=Dan D|coauthors=Marshall, Bob |url=http://www.nola.com/katrina/graphics/credits.swf|format=SWF|title=Flash Flood: Hurricane Katrina's Inundation of New Orleans, August 29, 2005|publisher=[[Times-Picayune]]|date=May 14, 2005}}</ref>

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However, the worst property damage occurred in coastal areas, such as all [[Effect of Hurricane Katrina on Mississippi|Mississippi beachfront towns]], which were flooded over 90% in hours, as boats and casino barges rammed buildings, pushing cars and houses inland, with waters reaching 6–12 miles (10–19 km) from the beach.

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The hurricane surge protection failures in New Orleans are considered the worst civil engineering disaster in U.S. history<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lasce.org/documents/RaySeedsLetter.pdf |title=Letter from Ray Seed, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering to the President, American Society of Civil Engineers|format=PDF |date= |accessdate=2011-11-03}}</ref> and prompted a lawsuit against the [[U.S. Army Corps of Engineers]] (USACE), the designers and builders of the levee system as mandated by the [[Flood Control Act of 1965]]. Responsibility for the failures and flooding was laid squarely on the Army Corps in January 2008 by Judge [[Stanwood Duval]], U.S. District Court,<ref>{{cite news|last=Nossiter |first=Adam |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/01/us/01corps.html?_r=2&ref=us |title=In Court Ruling on Floods, More Pain for New Orleans |location=New Orleans (La) |publisher=New York Times|date=2008-02-01 |accessdate=2011-11-03}}</ref> but the federal agency could not be held financially liable due to [[sovereign immunity]] in the [[Flood Control Act of 1928]]. There was also an investigation of the responses from federal, state and local governments, resulting in the resignation of [[Federal Emergency Management Agency]] (FEMA) director [[Michael D. Brown]], and of [[New Orleans Police Department]] (NOPD) Superintendent [[Eddie Compass]].

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Several agencies including the [[United States Coast Guard]] (USCG), [[National Hurricane Center]] (NHC), and [[National Weather Service]] (NWS) were commended for their actions. They provided accurate hurricane weather tracking forecasts with sufficient lead time.<ref name="CongressInvestigation"/> Unfortunately, even the most insistent appeals from national, state and local public officials to residents to evacuate before the storm did not warn that the levees could breach and fail.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sandy-rosenthal/katrina-levees-warning_b_1001777.html | work=Huffington Post | first=Sandy | last=Rosenthal | title=Insistent Appeals to Evacuate Did Not Warn That the Levees Could Break | date=October 11, 2011}}</ref>

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==Meteorological history==

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Hurricane Katrina formed as Tropical Depression Twelve over the southeastern Bahamas on August 23, 2005 as the result of an interaction of a [[tropical wave]] and the remains of [[Tropical Depression Ten (2005)|Tropical Depression Ten]]. The system was upgraded to [[Tropical low|tropical storm status]] on the morning of August 24 and at this point, the storm was given the name ''Katrina.'' The tropical storm continued to move towards Florida, and became a hurricane only two hours before it made [[landfall (meteorology)|landfall]] between [[Hallandale Beach, Florida|Hallandale Beach]] and [[Aventura, Florida|Aventura]] on the morning of August 25. The storm weakened over land, but it regained hurricane status about one hour after entering the Gulf of Mexico.<ref name="KatrinaTCR" />

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[[File:Hurricane Katrina August 25 2005.jpg|thumb|left|150 px|Katrina near [[Florida]] landfall.]]

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The storm [[rapid deepening|rapidly intensified]] after entering the Gulf, growing from a Category 3 hurricane to a Category 5 hurricane in just nine hours. This rapid growth was due to the storm's movement over the "unusually warm" [[sea surface temperature|waters]] of the [[Loop Current]], which increased wind speeds.<ref>{{cite web|author=Leben, Robert; Born, George; Scott, Jim|url=http://www.colorado.edu/news/releases/2005/358.html|title=CU-Boulder Researchers Chart Katrina's Growth In Gulf Of Mexico|publisher=''[[University of Colorado at Boulder]]''|date=September 15, 2005|accessdate=2011-05-20|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20090301014255/http://www.colorado.edu/news/releases/2005/358.html|archivedate=March 1, 2009}}</ref> On Saturday, August 27, the storm reached Category 3 intensity on the [[Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale]], becoming the third [[Tropical cyclone scales#Atlantic and East Pacific|major hurricane]] of the season. An [[eyewall replacement cycle]] disrupted the intensification, but caused the storm to nearly double in size. Katrina again rapidly intensified, attaining Category 5 status on the morning of August 28 and reached its peak strength at 1800 UTC that day, with maximum sustained winds of 175 mph (280 km/h) and a minimum central [[atmospheric pressure|pressure]] of {{convert|902|mbar|inHg|abbr=on|lk=on}}. The pressure measurement made Katrina the fourth most intense Atlantic hurricane on record at the time, only to be surpassed by Hurricanes [[Hurricane Rita|Rita]] and [[Hurricane Wilma|Wilma]] later in the season; it was also the strongest hurricane ever recorded in the [[Gulf of Mexico]] at the time. However, this record was later broken by Hurricane Rita.<ref name="KatrinaTCR"/>

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[[File:NOAA-Hurricane-Katrina-Aug28-05-2145UTC.jpg|thumb|right|Katrina on August 28, nearing the [[Gulf Coast]].]]

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Katrina made its second landfall at 1110 UTC (6:10 a.m. CDT) on Monday, August 29 as a Category 3 hurricane with sustained winds of 125 mph (205 km/h) near [[Buras-Triumph, Louisiana]]. At landfall, hurricane-force winds extended outward 120 miles (190 km) from the center and the storm's central pressure was {{convert|920|mbar|inHg|abbr=on}}. After moving over southeastern Louisiana and [[Breton Sound]], it made its third landfall near the Louisiana/Mississippi border with 120 mph (195 km/h) sustained winds, still at Category 3 intensity. Katrina maintained strength well into Mississippi, finally losing hurricane strength more than 150 miles (240 km) inland near [[Meridian, Mississippi]]. It was downgraded to a tropical depression near [[Clarksville, Tennessee]], but its remnants were last distinguishable in the eastern [[Great Lakes]] region on August 31, when it was absorbed by a [[Surface weather analysis#Cold front|frontal boundary]]. The resulting [[extratropical]] storm moved rapidly to the northeast and affected eastern Canada.<ref name="KatrinaTCR"/>

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==Preparations==

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===Federal government===

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[[File:BUSHLA.jpg|thumb|Flanked by [[Michael Chertoff]], [[Secretary of Homeland Security]], left, and [[Secretary of Defense]] [[Donald Rumsfeld]], President [[George W. Bush]] meets with members of the [[White House]] Task Force on Hurricane Katrina Recovery on August 31, 2005, in the Cabinet Room of the White House.]]

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On the morning of Friday, August 26, at 10 am [[Central Daylight Time|CDT]] (1500 [[UTC]]), Katrina had strengthened to a Category 3 storm in the Gulf of Mexico. Later that afternoon, the NHC realized that Katrina had yet to make the turn toward the Florida Panhandle and ended up revising the predicted track of the storm from the panhandle to the Mississippi coast.<ref>Spann, James. [http://www.jamesspann.com/bmachine/calendar/wxtalk/26,08,2005 "Models Shifting West," "NHC Shifting Track To MS Coast" and "Late Katrina Thoughts" from the ABC33/40 Weather Blog] August 26, 2005. Retrieved July 23, 2006.</ref><ref name="NHC disc 014">{{cite web | author = Stewart, Stacy | publisher = National Hurricane Center | title = Hurricane Katrina Discussion No. 14, 5:00 pm EDT | date = August 26, 2005 | accessdate = 2006-09-16|url = http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2005/dis/al122005.discus.014.shtml?}}</ref> The NHC issued a hurricane watch for southeastern Louisiana, including the New Orleans area at 10 am CDT Saturday, August 27. That afternoon the NHC extended the watch to cover the Mississippi and Alabama coastlines as well as the Louisiana coast to [[Intracoastal City, Louisiana|Intracoastal City]].

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The [[United States Coast Guard]] began prepositioning resources in a ring around the expected impact zone and activated more than 400 reservists. On August 27, it moved its personnel out of the New Orleans region prior to the mandatory evacuation.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Hurricane Katrina: How the Coast Guard Got it Right|author=Amanda Ripley|date=2005-10-23|journal=[[Time Magazine]]|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1122007-2,00.html}}</ref> Aircrews from the Aviation Training Center, in Mobile, staged rescue aircraft from Texas to Florida.<ref name="CG leadership">{{cite web | author = Bruce Jones and David Callahan | title = Leadership Talent Emerges During Hurricane Katrina Aviation Rescue Operations | url = http://www.uscg.mil/hr/cg133/news/archive/fall05.pdf | publisher = United States Coast Guard | accessdate = 2010-04-14}}</ref> All aircraft were returning towards the Gulf of Mexico by the afternoon of August 29. Air [[crew]]s, many of whom lost their homes during the hurricane, began a round-the-clock rescue effort in New Orleans, and along the Mississippi and Alabama coastlines.<ref name="WP Coast Guard">{{cite news | url = http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/05/AR2005090501418.html | title = Coast Guard's Response to Katrina a Silver Lining in the Storm | author = Stephen Barr|date = September 6, 2005 | accessdate = 2006-08-29 | publisher = Washington Post}}</ref>

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[[President of the United States]] [[George W. Bush]] declared a state of emergency in selected regions of Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi on Saturday, the 27th, two days before the hurricane made landfall.<ref>Bush, George W. "[http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2005/08/20050827-1.html Statement on Federal Emergency Assistance for Louisiana]." ''[[White House]].'' August 27, 2005. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref> That same evening, the NHC upgraded the storm alert status from hurricane watch to hurricane warning over the stretch of coastline between [[Morgan City, Louisiana]] to the Alabama-Florida border, 12 hours after the watch alert had been issued, and also issued a tropical storm warning for the westernmost Florida Panhandle.<ref name="KatrinaTCR"/>

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During video conferences involving the president on August 28 and 29, the director of the National Hurricane Center, [[Max Mayfield]], expressed concern that Katrina might push its storm surge over the city's levees and flood walls. In one conference, he stated, "I do not think anyone can tell you with confidence right now whether the levees will be topped or not, but that's obviously a very, very great concern."<ref name="Levee Breach Warning">{{cite news | url = http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/03/02/fema.tapes/index.html | title = Transcripts, tape show Bush, Brown warned on Katrina | date= March 2, 2006 | accessdate = 2007-04-22 | publisher = CNN.com}}</ref>

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On Sunday, August 28, as the sheer size of Katrina became clear, the NHC extended the tropical storm warning zone to cover most of the Louisiana coastline and a larger portion of the [[Florida Panhandle]]. The National Weather Service's New Orleans/Baton Rouge office issued a [[National Weather Service bulletin for New Orleans region|vividly worded bulletin]] predicting that the area would be "uninhabitable for weeks" after "devastating damage" caused by Katrina, which at that time rivaled the intensity of [[Hurricane Camille]].<ref>[http://www.srh.noaa.gov/data/warn_archive/LIX/NPW/0828_214001.txt "NWS bulletin"]{{dead link|date=November 2011}}. ''[[National Weather Service]]/New Orleans, Louisiana.'' August 28, 2005. Retrieved on 2007-07-30.</ref> "On Sunday, August 28, President Bush spoke with Governor Blanco to encourage her to order a mandatory evacuation of New Orleans." (Per page 235 of Special Report of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gpoaccess.gov/serialset/creports/katrinanation.html |title=Congressional Reports: S. Rpt. 109-322 - Hurricane Katrina: A Nation Still Unprepared |publisher=Gpoaccess.gov |date= |accessdate=2008-10-27}}</ref>

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Voluntary and mandatory evacuations were issued for large areas of southeast Louisiana as well as coastal Mississippi and Alabama. About 1.2 million residents of the Gulf Coast were covered under a voluntary or mandatory evacuation order.<ref name="KatrinaTCR"/>

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====Investigation of State of Emergency declaration====

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In a September 26, 2005 hearing, former FEMA chief [[Michael D. Brown|Michael Brown]] testified before a U.S. House subcommittee about FEMA's response. During that hearing, Representative [[Stephen Buyer]] (R-IN) inquired as to why President Bush's declaration of state of emergency of August 27 had not included the coastal parishes of Orleans, Jefferson, and Plaquemines.<ref name="Brown testimony">{{cite news | url = http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/27/national/nationalspecial/27text-brown.html?ei=5070&en=eda6637e28de37c1&ex=1188792000&pagewanted=all | title = Former FEMA Director Testifies Before Congress | date= 2005-09-27 | accessdate = 2007-09-01 | publisher = nytimes.com}}</ref> (In fact, the declaration did not include ''any'' of Louisiana's coastal parishes, whereas the coastal counties were included in the declarations for Mississippi<ref>Bush, George W. "[http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2005/08/20050828.html Statement on Federal Emergency Assistance for Mississippi]." ''White House.'' August 28, 2005. Retrieved on 2006-09-01.</ref> and Alabama.<ref>Bush, George W. "[http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2005/08/20050828-3.html Statement on Federal Emergency Assistance for Alabama]." ''White House.'' August 28, 2005. Retrieved on 2006-09-01.</ref>) Brown testified that this was because Louisiana [[Kathleen Blanco|Governor Blanco]] had not included those parishes in her initial request for aid, a decision that he found "shocking." After the hearing, Blanco released a copy of her letter, which showed she had requested assistance for "all the southeastern parishes including the City of New Orleans" as well specifically naming 14 parishes including Jefferson, Orleans and Plaquemines.<ref>{{cite web|author=[[Kathleen Blanco]]|url=http://jjic.gov.state.la.us/Disaster%20Relief%20Request.pdf|title=Governor Blanco asks President to Declare an Emergency for the State of Louisiana due to Hurricane Katrina|date=2005-08-28|accessdate=2010-04-14|publisher=Government of the State of Louisiana}}</ref>

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===Gulf Coast===

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[[File:Hurricane Katrina LA landfall radar.gif|thumb|Radar image of Hurricane Katrina approaching landfall in Louisiana]]

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On August 26, the state of Mississippi activated its [[United States National Guard|National Guard]] in preparation for the storm's landfall. Additionally, the state government activated its Emergency Operations Center the next day, and local governments began issuing evacuation orders. By 6:00 pm [[Central Time Zone (North America)|CDT]] on August 28, 11 counties and eleven cities issued evacuation orders, a number which increased to 41 counties and 61 cities by the following morning. Moreover, 57 emergency shelters were established on coastal communities, with 31 additional shelters available to open if needed.<ref name="CongressInvestigation">{{cite book|author=[[United States Congress]]|date=February 19, 2006|title=A Failure of Initiative: Final Report of the Select Bipartisan Committee to Investigate the Preparation for and Response to Hurricane Katrina|publisher=[[Government Printing Office]]|location=[[Washington, DC]]|format=PDF|accessdate=2011-05-20|url=http://www.gpoaccess.gov/katrinareport/fullreport.pdf|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20090326065222/http://www.gpoaccess.gov/katrinareport/fullreport.pdf|archivedate=Marcj 26, 2009}}</ref>

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Louisiana's hurricane evacuation plan calls for local governments in areas along and near the coast to evacuate in three phases, starting with the immediate coast 50 hours before the start of tropical storm force winds. Persons in areas designated Phase II begin evacuating 40 hours before the onset of tropical storm winds and those in Phase III areas (including New Orleans) evacuate 30 hours before the start of such winds.<ref>{{cite web|author=Louisiana Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness|title=Louisiana Citizen Awareness and Disaster Evacuation Guide|accessdate=2006-07-20|url=http://www.ohsep.louisiana.gov/evacinfo/stateevacrtes.htm}}</ref>

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Many private caregiving facilities that relied on bus companies and ambulance services for evacuation were unable to evacuate their charges because they waited too long. Louisiana's Emergency Operations Plan Supplement 1C(Part II, section II paragraph D) calls for use of school and other public buses in evacuations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://biotech.law.lsu.edu/blaw/DOD/manual/full%20text%20documents/State%20Authorities/La.%20EOP_Supplement1c.pdf|title=State Of Louisiana Emergency Operations Plan Supplement 1C|date=July 2000|accessdate=2011-05-20|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20060909235959/http://biotech.law.lsu.edu/blaw/DOD/manual/full%20text%20documents/State%20Authorities/La.%20EOP_Supplement1c.pdf|archivedate=September 9, 2006}}</ref> Although buses that later flooded were available to transport those dependent upon public transportation, not enough bus drivers were available to drive them as Governor Blanco did not sign an emergency waiver to allow any licensed driver to transport evacuees on school buses.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vtpi.org/katrina.pdf|author=Todd Litman|publisher=Victoria Transport Policy Institute|date=April 13, 2006|accessdate=2011-05-20|title=Lessons From Katrina and Rita: What Major Disasters Can Teach Transportation Planners|page=5|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20090325121112/http://vtpi.org/katrina.pdf|archivedate=March 25, 2009}}</ref> However, 20 year old [[Jabbar Gibson]] armed with only a standard operator's permit took it upon himself to take a school bus and drive it to Houston with 50 to 70 evacuees.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/topstory2/3334317|author=Salatheia Bryant and Cynthia Leonor Garza|title=School bus comandeered by renegade refugees first to arrive at Astrodome|accessdate=2010-08-25|publisher=[[Houston Chronicle]]|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20060715050700/http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/topstory2/3334317.html|archivedate=July 15, 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=fj5dInclgw0C&pg=PA594&lpg=PA594&dq=rental+cars+in+short+supply+before+Katrina&q=rental+cars+in+short+supply+before+Katrina.#v=snippet&q=rental%20cars%20in%20short%20supply%20before%20Katrina.&f=false|page=594|author=Lundy, Kay; Lundy, Karen; Janes, Sharyn|title=Community Health Nursing: Caring for the Public's Health|year=2009|accessdate=2011-05-20|isbn=978-0-7637-1786-5|publisher=Jones & Bartlett Learning}}</ref> Some estimates claimed that 80% of the 1.3 million residents of the greater New Orleans metropolitan area evacuated, leaving behind substantially fewer people than remained in the city during the [[Hurricane Ivan]] evacuation.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0508/29/asb.01.html|title=Hurricane Katrina Pummels Three States|last=Brown|first=Aaron|date=August 29, 2005|publisher=CNN|accessdate=2011-05-20}}</ref>

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By Sunday, August 28, most infrastructure along the Gulf Coast had been shut down, including all freight and [[Amtrak]] rail traffic into the evacuation areas as well as the [[Waterford Nuclear Generating Station]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/am2Copy/Simple_Copy_Popup&c=am2Copy&cid=1093554014709|title=Service Alert: Hurricane Katrina Update - City of New Orleans, Crescent, Sunset Limited - Revised Service Information|date=September 1, 2005|publisher=[[Amtrak]]|accessdate=2011-05-20|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080922031250/http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/am2Copy/Simple_Copy_Popup&c=am2Copy&cid=1093554014709|archivedate=September 22, 2008}}</ref> The NHC maintained the coastal warnings until late on August 29, by which time Hurricane Katrina was over central Mississippi.<ref name="KatrinaTCR"/>

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===City of New Orleans===

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[[File:New Orleans Elevations.jpg|thumb|300px|Vertical cross-section of New Orleans, showing maximum levee height of 23 feet (7 m). Vertical scale exaggerated.]]

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By August 26, the possibility of unprecedented cataclysm was already being considered. Many of the computer models had shifted the potential path of Katrina {{convert|150|mi|km|-1}} westward from the Florida Panhandle, putting the city of New Orleans directly in the center of their track probabilities; the chances of a direct hit were forecast at 17%, with strike probability rising to 29% by August 28.<ref>"[http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2005/prb/al122005.prblty.015.shtml Hurricane Katrina Probabilities Report Number 15]," and "[http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2005/prb/al122005.prblty.021.shtml Hurricane Katrina Probabilities Report Number 21]." ''National Hurricane Center.'' August 26, 2005. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref> This scenario was considered a potential catastrophe because some parts of New Orleans and the metro area are below sea level. Since the storm surge produced by the hurricane's right-front quadrant (containing the strongest winds) was forecast to be 28 feet (8.5 m), emergency management officials in New Orleans feared that the storm surge could go over the tops of levees protecting the city, causing major flooding.<ref>Drye, Willie. "[http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/08/0829_050829_hurricane.html Hurricane Katrina Pulls Its Punches in New Orleans]." ''[[National Geographic (magazine)|National Geographic]].'' August 29, 2005. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref>

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At a news conference at 10 am on August 28, shortly after Katrina was upgraded to a Category 5 storm, New Orleans mayor [[Ray Nagin]] ordered the first-ever [[emergency evacuation|mandatory evacuation]] of the city, calling Katrina "a storm that most of us have long feared."<ref>Staff Writer. "[http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,167270,00.html Katrina Heads for New Orleans]{{dead link|date=June 2012}}." ''[[Fox News]]/[[Associated Press]].'' August 29, 2005. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref> The city government also established several "refuges of last resort" for citizens who could not leave the city, including the massive [[Louisiana Superdome]], which sheltered approximately 26,000 people and provided them with food and water for several days as the storm came ashore.<ref>Staff Writer."[http://www.nola.com/newslogs/breakingtp/index.ssf?/mtlogs/nola_Times-Picayune/archives/2005_08_28.html#074657 26,000 shelter at Superdome]." ''Times-Picayune.'' August 28, 2005. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref><ref>''Diary From the Dome'' is a 2008 memoir written by a tourist who was stuck inside the Superdome during Katrina and the levee failures. It offers an overview of the conditions inside the stadium as well as a critique of the media's coverage of the disaster.</ref>

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===Florida===

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Many people living in the South Florida area were unaware when Katrina strengthened from a tropical storm to a hurricane in one day and struck southern Florida near the [[Miami-Dade County, Florida|Miami-Dade]] – [[Broward County, Florida|Broward]] county line. The hurricane struck between the cities of [[Aventura, Florida|Aventura]], in Miami-Dade County, and [[Hallandale, Florida|Hallandale]], in Broward County, on Thursday, August 25, 2005. However, National Hurricane Center (NHC) forecasts had correctly predicted that Katrina would intensify to hurricane strength before landfall, and [[tropical cyclone warnings and watches|hurricane watches and warnings]] were issued 31.5 hours and 19.5 hours before landfall, respectively — only slightly less than the target thresholds of 36 and 24 hours.<ref name="KatrinaTCR"/>

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Florida Governor [[Jeb Bush]] declared a [[state of emergency]] on August 24 in advance of Hurricane Katrina's landfall in Florida. Shelters were opened and schools closed in several counties in the southern part of the state. A number of evacuation orders were also issued, mostly voluntary, although a mandatory evacuation was ordered for vulnerable housing in [[Martin County, Florida|Martin County]].<ref name="Florida-preps">Staff writer. "[http://floridadisaster.org/eoc/eoc_activations/katrina05/reports/Sitrep_Katrina_082605_3.pdf Hurricane Katrina Situation Report No. 3]." ''Florida State Emergency Response Team.'' August 26, 2005. Retrieved 2006-06-06.</ref>

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==Impact==

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[[File:Hurricane Katrina (short film by NASA).ogv|thumb|thumbtime=28|left|''In Katrina's Wake'' - short film by [[NASA]]]]

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{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; margin:0 1em 0.5em;"

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|+ Deaths by state

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|-

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| [[Alabama]] || 2

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| [[Florida]] || 14

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| [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]] || 2

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|-

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| [[Kentucky]] || 1

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| [[Louisiana]] || 1,577*

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| [[Mississippi]] || 238

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|-

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| [[Ohio]] || 2

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! Total !! 1,836

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| Missing || 135<ref name="louisiana1">"[http://www.dhh.louisiana.gov/offices/page.asp?ID=192&Detail=5248 Reports of Missing and Deceased]." ''Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals.'' August 2, 2006. Retrieved on 2010-04-14.</ref>

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|colspan=2 | *Includes out-of-state evacuees counted by Louisiana

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|}

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On August 29, Katrina's [[storm surge]] caused 53 different levee breaches in greater New Orleans, submerging eighty percent of the city. A June 2007 report by the [[American Society of Civil Engineers]] indicated that two-thirds of the flooding were caused by the multiple failures of the city's floodwalls.<ref name="ASCE HKERP report">{{cite web|url=http://www.asce.org/files/pdf/ERPreport.pdf |title=The New Orleans Hurricane Protection System: What Went Wrong and Why|author=Andersen, Christine F. et al.|year=2007|publisher=[[American Society of Civil Engineers]] Hurricane Katrina External Review Panel|accessdate=2008-08-27|format=PDF |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20080624204644/http://www.asce.org/files/pdf/ERPreport.pdf |archivedate = 2008-06-24}}</ref> Not mentioned were the flood gates that were not closed.{{Citation needed|date=August 2012}} The storm surge also devastated the coasts of Mississippi and Alabama, making Katrina the most destructive and costliest [[natural disaster]] in the history of the United States, and the deadliest hurricane since the 1928 Okeechobee Hurricane. The total damage from Katrina is estimated at $81.2 billion (2005 [[U.S. dollars]]), nearly double the cost of the previously most expensive storm, [[Hurricane Andrew]], when adjusted for inflation.<ref name="KatrinaTCR"/><ref name="katreport">{{cite web|author=[[United States Department of Commerce]] | title=Hurricane Katrina Service Assessment Report | month=June | year=2006 | accessdate=2006-07-14 | format = PDF | url=http://www.weather.gov/om/assessments/pdfs/Katrina.pdf}}</ref>

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The confirmed death toll (total of direct and indirect deaths) is 1,836, mainly from Louisiana (1,577) and Mississippi (238).<ref name="louisiana1"/><ref name="MWR 2005AHS">{{cite journal | author = Beven II, John L., Lixion A Avila, Eric S. Blake, Daniel P. Brown, James L. Franklin, Richard D. Knabb, Richard J. Pasch, Famie R. Rhome, and Stacy R. Stewart | month=March | year=2008 | title=Annual Summary: Atlantic Hurricane Season of 2005 | journal=[[Monthly Weather Review]] | publisher=[[American Meteorological Society]] | volume=136 | issue=3 | pages=1131–1141 | accessdate=2008-09-08 | url = http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/general/lib/lib1/nhclib/mwreviews/2005.pdf | format = PDF | doi = 10.1175/2007MWR2074.1 |bibcode = 2008MWRv..136.1109B }}</ref> However, 135 people remain categorized as missing in Louisiana,<ref name="louisiana1"/> and many of the deaths are indirect, but it is almost impossible to determine the exact cause of some of the fatalities.

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[[Federal government of the United States|Federal]] disaster declarations covered 90,000 square miles (233,000 km2) of the United States, an area almost as large as the [[Geography of the United Kingdom|United Kingdom]]. The hurricane left an estimated three million people without electricity. On September 3, 2005, [[Homeland Security]] Secretary [[Michael Chertoff]] described the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina as "probably the worst catastrophe, or set of catastrophes," in the country's history, referring to the hurricane itself plus the flooding of New Orleans.<ref>"[http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0509/03/cst.04.html The Aftermath of Katrina: Transcript of CNN Live Saturday]." ''CNN.'' September 3, 2005. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref>

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Even in 2010, debris remained in some coastal communities.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thesunnews.com/2010/06/27/1555968/spill-colors-fabric-of-gulf-coastal.html|title=Spill colors fabric of Gulf coastal life|last=Clark|first=Lesley|work=[[The Sun News]]|date=2010-06-27|accessdate=2010-07-01}}</ref>

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===South Florida and Cuba===

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[[File:Hurricane damage to mobile home in Davie Florida.jpg|thumb|Damage to a mobile home in [[Davie, Florida]] following Hurricane Katrina]]

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Hurricane Katrina first made landfall on August 25, 2005 in [[South Florida]] where it hit as a Category 1 hurricane, with 80 mph (130 km/h) winds. Rainfall was heavy in places and exceeded 14 inches (350 mm) in [[Homestead, Florida]],<ref name="KatrinaTCR"/> and a storm surge of 3 – {{convert|5|ft|m}} was measured in parts of [[Monroe County, Florida|Monroe County]].<ref name="katreport"/> More than 1 million customers were left without [[electricity]], and damage in Florida was estimated from $1 – $2 billion, with most of the damage coming from flooding and overturned trees. There were 14 fatalities reported in Florida as a result of Hurricane Katrina.<ref name="KatrinaTCR"/>

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Most of the [[Florida Keys]] experienced tropical-storm force winds from Katrina as the storm's center passed to the north, with hurricane force winds reported in the [[Dry Tortugas]]. Rainfall was also high in the islands, with 10 inches (250 mm) falling on [[Key West, Florida|Key West]]. On August 26, a strong [[Fujita scale|F1]] [[tornado]] formed from an outer rain band of Katrina and struck [[Marathon, Florida|Marathon]]. The tornado damaged a hangar at the airport there and caused an estimated $5 million in damage.<ref name="Marathon Tornado">Devenas, Andy "[http://web.archive.org/web/20060624012057/http://www.srh.noaa.gov/key/HTML/Marathon_Report.pdf Marathon Tornado Survey Report]." ''[[National Weather Service]] Forecast Office [[Key West, Florida]]'' Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref>

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Although Hurricane Katrina stayed well to the north of [[Cuba]], on August 29 it brought tropical-storm force winds and rainfall of over 8 inches (200 mm) to western regions of the island. Telephone and power lines were damaged and around 8,000 people were evacuated in the [[Pinar del Río Province]]. According to Cuban television reports the coastal city of Surgidero de Batabano was 90% underwater.<ref name="Cuba damage">Staff Writer. "[http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/2005/08/29/batters.shtml Hurricane Katrina batters western Cuba]{{dead link|date=November 2011}}."</ref>

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===Louisiana===

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[[File:PostVeniceLG.jpg|thumb|Flooding in [[Venice, Louisiana]]]]

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On August 29, Hurricane Katrina made landfall near [[Buras-Triumph, Louisiana]] with 125 mph (205 km/h) winds, as a strong Category 3 storm. However, as it had only just weakened from Category 4 strength and the radius of maximum winds was large, it is possible that sustained winds of Category 4 strength briefly impacted extreme southeastern Louisiana. Although the storm surge to the east of the path of the eye in Mississippi was higher, a very significant surge affected the Louisiana coast. The height of the surge is uncertain because of a lack of data, although a tide gauge in [[Plaquemines Parish]] indicated a storm tide in excess of 14 feet (4.3 m) and a 12-foot (3 m) storm surge was recorded in [[Grand Isle, Louisiana|Grand Isle]]. Hurricane Katrina made final landfall near the mouth of the [[Pearl River (Mississippi–Louisiana)|Pearl River]], with the eye straddling [[St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana]] and Hancock County, Mississippi, on the morning of August 29 at about 9:45M CST.<ref name="KatrinaTCR"/>

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Hurricane Katrina also brought heavy rain to Louisiana, with 8 – 10 inches (200 – 250 mm) falling on a wide swath of the eastern part of the state. In the area around [[Slidell, Louisiana|Slidell]], the rainfall was even higher, and the highest rainfall recorded in the state was approximately 15 inches (380 mm). As a result of the rainfall and storm surge the level of [[Lake Pontchartrain]] rose and caused significant flooding along its northeastern shore, affecting communities from Slidell to [[Mandeville, Louisiana|Mandeville]]. Several bridges were destroyed, including the [[I-10 Twin Span Bridge]] connecting Slidell to New Orleans.<ref name="KatrinaTCR"/> Almost 900,000 people in Louisiana lost power as a result of Hurricane Katrina.<ref name="Power failures">Staff Writer. "[http://www.oe.netl.doe.gov/docs/katrina/katrina_083005_1600.pdf Hurricane Katrina Situation Report#11]." ''Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability (OE) [[United States Department of Energy]].'' August 30, 2005. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref>

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Katrina’s storm surge inundated all parishes surrounding Lake Pontchartrain, including [[St. Tammany]], Tangipahoa, [[St. John the Baptist]] and [[St. Charles Parish, Louisiana|St. Charles]] Parishes. St. Tammany Parish received a two-part storm surge. The first surge came as Lake Pontchartrain rose and the storm blew water from the Gulf of Mexico into the lake. The second came as the eye of Katrina passed, westerly winds pushed water into a bottleneck at the Rigolets Pass, forcing it farther inland. The range of surge levels in eastern St. Tammany Parish is estimated at 13 to {{convert|16|ft|m}}, not including wave action.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fema.gov/pdf/hazard/flood/recoverydata/katrina/katrina_la_overview-n.pdf |title=FEMA: Louisiana Katrina Surge Inundation Map, January 2006 |format=PDF |date= |accessdate=2011-11-03}}</ref>

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Hard-hit [[St. Bernard Parish]] was flooded due to breaching of the levees that contained a navigation channel called the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet (MR-GO) and the breach of the Levee Board designed and built 40 Arpent canal levee. The search for the missing was undertaken by the St. Bernard Fire Department due to the assets of the [[United States Coast Guard]] being diverted to New Orleans. Many of the missing in the months after the storm were tracked down by searching flooded homes, tracking credit card records, and visiting homes of family and relatives.<ref>Cannizaro, Steve. "[http://web.archive.org/web/20060827225149/http://www.sbpg.net/cannizaro121705a.html List of Missing Residents Down to 47, and More...]" ''St. Bernard Parish Government (press release).'' December 17, 2005. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref>

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[[File:Katrina 2nd landfall.jpg|thumb|upright|Hurricane Katrina making landfall in [[New Orleans|New Orleans, Louisiana]].]]

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According to the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development, in St. Bernard Parish, 81% (20,229) of the housing units were damaged. In St. Tammany Parish, 70% (48,792) were damaged and in Placquemines Parish 80% (7,212) were damaged.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/GulfCoast_HousingDamageEstimates_021206.pdf |title=Current Housing Unit Damage Estimates, Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma|publisher=U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development|format=PDF |date=February 12, 2006 |accessdate=2011-11-03}}{{dead link|date=June 2012}}</ref>

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In addition, the combined effect of Hurricanes Katrina and [[Hurricane Rita|Rita]] was the destruction of an estimated {{convert|562|km2|sqmi}} of coastal wetlands in Louisiana.<ref>Rosenzweig, C., G. Casassa, D.J. Karoly, A. Imeson, C. Liu, A. Menzel, S. Rawlins, T.L. Root, B. Seguin, P. Tryjanowski. (2007). "Assessment of observed changes and responses in natural and managed systems. Climate Change 2007: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability". Chapter 1 in ''Contribution of Working Group II to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change'', (M.L. Parry, O.F. Canziani, J.P. Palutikof, P.J. van der Linden and C.E. Hanson, Eds.), Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK. (url : http://www.ipcc.ch/pdf/assessment-report/ar4/wg2/ar4-wg2-chapter1.pdf). Pp 92. Accessed 19 December 2011.

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</ref>

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====New Orleans====

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{{Main|Effects of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans|2005 levee failures in Greater New Orleans}}

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[[File:KatrinaNewOrleansFlooded edit2.jpg|thumb|upright|Flooded I-10/I-610/West End Blvd [[interchange (road)|interchange]] and surrounding area of northwest New Orleans and Metairie, Louisiana]]

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As the eye of Hurricane Katrina swept to the northeast, it subjected the city to hurricane conditions for hours. Although power failures prevented accurate measurement of wind speeds in New Orleans, there were a few measurements of hurricane-force winds. From this the NHC concluded that it is likely that much of the city experienced sustained winds of Category 1 or Category 2 strength.

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Katrina's storm surge led to 53 levee breaches in the [[Flood Control Act of 1965|federally built levee system]] protecting metro New Orleans and the failure of the 40 Arpent Canal levee. Nearly every levee in metro New Orleans was breached as Hurricane Katrina passed just east of the city limits. Failures occurred in New Orleans and surrounding communities, especially St. Bernard Parish. The [[Mississippi River Gulf Outlet]] (MR-GO) breached its levees in approximately 20 places, flooding much of east New Orleans, most of [[Saint Bernard Parish, Louisiana|Saint Bernard Parish]] and the East Bank of [[Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana|Plaquemines Parish]]. The major levee breaches in the city included breaches at the [[17th Street Canal]] levee, the [[London Avenue Canal]], and the wide, navigable [[Industrial Canal]], which left approximately 80% of the city flooded.<ref>Murphy, Verity. "[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4307972.stm Fixing New Orleans' thin grey line]." ''[[BBC News]].'' October 4, 2005. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref>

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Most of the major roads traveling into and out of the city were damaged. The only routes out of the city were the westbound [[Crescent City Connection]] and the Huey P. Long Bridge, as large portions of the I-10 Twin Span Bridge traveling eastbound towards Slidell, Louisiana had collapsed. Both the [[Lake Pontchartrain Causeway]] and the Crescent City Connection only carried emergency traffic.<ref>Gordon, Meghan. "[http://www.nola.com/newslogs/breakingtp/index.ssf?/mtlogs/nola_Times-Picayune/archives/2005_08_31.html#075566 Causeway closed but hardly damaged]." ''Times Picayune.'' August 31, 2005. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref>

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On August 29, at 7:40 am CDT, it was reported that most of the windows on the north side of the [[Hyatt Regency New Orleans]] had been blown out, and many other high rise buildings had extensive window damage.<ref>Transcript from, ''[[The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer]].'' "[http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/weather/july-dec05/katrina_8-29.html Hurricane Damages Gulf Coast]." ''[[Public Broadcasting Service|PBS]].'' August 29, 2005. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref> The [[Hyatt]] was the most severely damaged hotel in the city, with beds reported to be flying out of the windows. Insulation tubes were exposed as the hotel's glass exterior was completely sheared off.<ref>Mowbray, Rebecca. "[http://www.nola.com/hurricane/t-p/katrina.ssf?/hurricane/katrina/stories/083005_a15_hotels.html Evacuations to hotels come with own set of hazards]." ''Times-Picayune.'' August 30, 2005. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref>

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[[File:New Orleans Survivor Flyover.jpg|thumb|A U.S. Coast Guardsman searches for survivors in New Orleans in the aftermath of Katrina]]

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The Superdome, which was sheltering many people who had not evacuated, sustained significant damage.<ref name="Gibson">[http://www.americanheritage.com/articles/magazine/ah/2006/4/2006_4_26.shtml Christine Gibson]{{dead link|date=November 2011}} "Our 10 Greatest Natural Disasters," ''American Heritage'', Aug./Sept. 2006.</ref> Two sections of the Superdome's roof were compromised and the dome's waterproof membrane had essentially been peeled off. [[Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport]] was closed before the storm but did not flood. On August 30, it was reopened to humanitarian and rescue operations. Limited commercial passenger service resumed at the airport on September 13 and regular carrier operations resumed in early October.<ref name="New Orleans Airport">{{cite web|author=Staff Writer|url=http://www.flymsy.com/Katrinastory.htm |title=[[Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport]]|date=2006-05-28|accessdate=2006-06-05 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20060312180732/http://www.flymsy.com/Katrinastory.htm |archivedate = 2006-03-12}}</ref>

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Levee breaches in New Orleans also caused a significant amount of deaths, with over 700 bodies recovered in New Orleans by October 23, 2005.<ref>Warner, Coleman; Travis, Robert. "[http://web.archive.org/web/20051027003351/http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/frontpage/index.ssf?/base/news-4/113005097377980.xml Where They Died]." ''Times-Picayune.'' October 23, 2005. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref> Some survivors and evacuees reported seeing dead bodies lying in city streets and floating in still-flooded sections, especially in the east of the city. The advanced state of decomposition of many corpses, some of which were left in the water or sun for days before being collected, hindered efforts by coroners to identify many of the dead.<ref>O'Neill, Ann. "[http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/09/09/katrina.morgue/index.html Identifying victims a grueling task]." ''CNN.'' September 9, 2005. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref>

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The first deaths reported from the city were reported shortly before midnight on August 28, as three [[nursing home]] patients died during an evacuation to [[Baton Rouge, Louisiana|Baton Rouge]], most likely from dehydration. While there were also early reports of fatalities amid mayhem at the Superdome, only six deaths were confirmed there, with four of these originating from [[natural causes]], one from a [[drug overdose]], and one a [[suicide]]. At the Convention Center, four bodies were recovered. One of the four is believed to be the result of a homicide.<ref name="thevenot">Thevenot, Brian; Russell, Gordon. "[http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2002520986_katmyth26.html Reports of anarchy at Superdome overstated]." ''Seattle Times.'' September 26, 2005. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref>

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There is evidence that many prisoners were abandoned in their cells during the storm, while the guards sought shelter. Hundreds of prisoners were later registered as "unaccounted for".<ref>[http://www.alternet.org/story/26073/left_to_die_in_a_new_orleans_prison Left to Die in a New Orleans Prison], ''Democracy Now/AlterNet'', 27 Sept 2005. Retrieved 28 Nov 2012.</ref><ref>[http://thesocietypages.org/socimages/2011/08/27/imprisoned-disaster-political-will-and-hurricane-katrina/ The Fate of Prisoners during Hurricane Katrina], ''The Society Pages'', 27 Aug 2011. Retrieved 28 Nov 2012.</ref><ref>[http://revcom.us/a/064/nolaprison-en.html Doing “Katrina Time”—Torture in New Orleans Prisons], ''Revolution Newspaper'', 8 Oct 2006. Retrieved 28 Nov 2012.</ref><ref>[http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/oct2005/katr-o01.shtml New Orleans prisoners left to drown after Katrina struck], ''World Socialist Web Site'', 1 Oct 2005. Retrieved 28 Nov 2012.</ref><ref>[http://www.aclu.org/files/pdfs/prison/oppreport20060809.pdf Abandoned & Abused: Report on the effects of Hurricane Katrina on New Orleans Prisons (PDF)] ([http://www.aclu.org/prisoners-rights/abandoned-and-abused]), ''American Civil Liberties Union'', 9 Aug 2006. Retrieved 28 Nov 2012.</ref>

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===Mississippi===

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[[File:Structural Bridge Damage.jpg|thumb|[[U.S. Route 90|U.S. Route 90's]] Bay St. Louis Bridge on Pass Christian was destroyed as a result of Katrina.]]

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The Gulf coast of Mississippi suffered massive damage from the impact of Hurricane Katrina on August 29, leaving 238 people dead, 67 missing, and billions of dollars in damage: bridges, barges, boats, piers, houses and cars were washed inland.<ref name=HBrecov>{{cite web | title =Information Relating to the Federal Appropriations for Katrina Recovery|date = January 6, 2006 | accessdate = 2006-09-27 | author = Haley Babour | publisher = Office of the Governor, Mississippi | url = http://www.governorbarbour.com/Recovery/news/2006/jan/information.html}}</ref>

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Katrina traveled up the entire state, and afterwards, all 82 counties in Mississippi were declared disaster areas for federal assistance, 47 for full assistance.<ref name=HBrecov/>

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After making a brief initial landfall in Louisiana, Katrina had made its final landfall near the state line, and the eyewall passed over the cities of Bay St. Louis and Waveland as a Category 3 hurricane with sustained winds of 120 mph (195 km/h).<ref name="KatrinaTCR"/> Katrina's powerful right-front quadrant passed over the west and central Mississippi coast, causing a powerful 27-foot (8.2 m) storm surge, which penetrated 6 miles (10 km) inland in many areas and up to 12 miles (20 km) inland along bays and rivers; in some areas, the surge crossed [[Interstate 10]] for several miles.<ref name="KatrinaTCR"/> Hurricane Katrina brought strong winds to Mississippi, which caused significant tree damage throughout the state. The highest unofficial reported wind gust recorded from Katrina was one of 135 mph (217 km/h) in [[Poplarville, Mississippi|Poplarville]], in [[Pearl River County, Mississippi|Pearl River County]].<ref name="KatrinaTCR"/>

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[[File:Hurricane katrina damage gulfport mississippi.jpg|thumb|left|Damage to [[Long Beach, Mississippi]] following Hurricane Katrina]]

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The storm also brought heavy rains with 8 – 10 inches (200 – 250 mm) falling in southwestern Mississippi and rain in excess of 4 inches (100 mm) falling throughout the majority of the state. Katrina caused eleven tornadoes in Mississippi on August 29, some of which damaged trees and power lines.<ref name="KatrinaTCR"/>

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Battered by wind, rain and storm surge, some beachfront neighborhoods were completely leveled. Preliminary estimates by Mississippi officials calculated that 90% of the structures within half a mile of the coastline were completely destroyed,<ref name="CBS Miss">Staff Writer. "[http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/09/01/katrina/main810916.shtml Mississippi Coast Areas Wiped Out]." ''[[CBS News]].'' September 1, 2005. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref> and that storm surges traveled as much as six miles (10 km) inland in portions of the state's coast.<ref name="katreport"/> One apartment complex with approximately thirty residents seeking shelter inside collapsed. More than half of the 13 casinos in the state, which were floated on barges to comply with Mississippi land-based gambling laws, were washed hundreds of yards inland by waves.<ref name="CBS Miss"/> [[File:Katrina Mississippi Ronald McDonaldSurgeScape.png|thumb|left|Storm surge damage along Highway 90 on the [[Mississippi]] Gulf Coast (early September 2005).]]

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A number of streets and bridges were washed away. On [[U.S. Highway 90]] along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, two major bridges were completely destroyed: the Bay St. Louis — Pass Christian<ref name="KatrinaTCR"/> bridge, and the Biloxi - [[Ocean Springs, Mississippi|Ocean Springs]] bridge. In addition, the eastbound span of the I-10 bridge over the [[Pascagoula River]] estuary was damaged. In the weeks after the storm, with the connectivity of the coastal U.S. Highway 90 shattered, traffic traveling parallel to the coast was reduced first to State Road 11 (parallel to I-10) then to two lanes on the remaining I-10 span when it was opened.

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[[File:Pascagoula destroyed condos from Katrina.jpg|thumb|Surge damage in [[Pascagoula, Mississippi]]]]

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All three coastal counties of the state were severely affected by the storm. Katrina's surge was the most extensive, as well as the highest, in the documented history of the United States; large portions of both [[Hancock County, Mississippi|Hancock]], [[Harrison County, Mississippi|Harrison]], and [[Jackson County, Mississippi|Jackson]] Counties were inundated by the storm surge, in all three cases affecting most of the populated areas.<ref>{{cite web|author=[[Federal Emergency Management Agency]] | title = Mississippi Hurricane Katrina Surge Inundation and Advisory Base Flood Elevation Map Panel Overview | month= November | year= 2005 | accessdate = 2006-07-16 | format = PDF | publisher = FEMA|url = http://www.fema.gov/pdf/hazard/flood/recoverydata/katrina/ms_overview.pdf}}</ref> Surge covered almost the entire lower half of Hancock County, destroying the coastal communities of [[Clermont Harbor, Mississippi|Clermont Harbor]] and Waveland, much of Bay St. Louis, and flowed up the Jourdan River, flooding Diamondhead and [[Kiln, Mississippi|Kiln]]. In Harrison County, [[Pass Christian]] was completely inundated, along with a narrow strip of land to the east along the coast, which includes the cities of Long Beach and Gulfport; the flooding was more extensive in communities such as D'Iberville, which borders Back Bay. [[Biloxi]], on a peninsula between the Back Bay and the coast, was particularly hard hit, especially the low-lying Point Cadet area. In Jackson County, storm surge flowed up the wide river [[estuary]], with the combined surge and freshwater flooding cutting the county in half. Remarkably, over 90% of Pascagoula, the easternmost coastal city in Mississippi, and about {{convert|75|mi|km|0}} east of Katrina's landfall near the Louisiana-Mississippi border, was flooded from surge at the height of the storm. Other large Jackson County neighborhoods such as Porteaux Bay and Gulf Hills were severely damaged with large portions being completely destroyed, and [[St. Martin, Mississippi|St. Martin]] was hard hit; Ocean Springs, [[Moss Point, Mississippi|Moss Point]], Gautier, and [[Escatawpa]] also suffered major surge damage.

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Mississippi Emergency Management Agency officials also recorded deaths in [[Forrest County, Mississippi|Forrest]], [[Hinds County, Mississippi|Hinds]], [[Warren County, Mississippi|Warren]], and [[Leake County, Mississippi|Leake]] counties. Over 900,000 people throughout the state experienced power outages.<ref name="Power failures"/>

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===Southeast United States===

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[[File:KatrinaMobileCourthouseSteps.jpg|thumb|Flood waters come up the steps of [[Mobile, Alabama|Mobile's]] federal courthouse.]]

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Although Hurricane Katrina made landfall well to the west, Alabama and the Florida Panhandle were both affected by tropical-storm force winds and a storm surge varying from 12 to 16 feet (3–5 m) around [[Mobile Bay]],<ref name=KatrinaTCR/> with higher waves on top. Sustained winds of 67 mph (107 km/h) were recorded in [[Mobile, Alabama]], and the storm surge there was approximately 12 feet (3.7 m).<ref name="KatrinaTCR"/> The surge caused significant flooding several miles inland along Mobile Bay. Four tornadoes were also reported in Alabama.<ref name=KatrinaTCR/> Ships, oil rigs, boats and fishing [[pier]]s were washed ashore along Mobile Bay: the cargo ship M/V ''Caribbean Clipper'' and many fishing boats were grounded at [[Bayou La Batre]].

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An [[Oil platform|oil rig]] under construction along the [[Mobile River]] broke its moorings and floated 1.5 miles (2 km) northwards before striking the Cochrane Bridge just outside Mobile. No significant damage resulted to the bridge and it was soon reopened. The damage on [[Dauphin Island]] was severe, with the surge destroying many houses and cutting a new canal through the western portion of the island. An offshore oil rig also became grounded on the island. As in Mississippi, the storm surge caused significant beach erosion along the Alabama coastline.<ref name="KatrinaTCR"/> More than 600,000 people lost power in Alabama as a result of Hurricane Katrina and two people died in a traffic accident in the state. Residents in some areas, such as Selma, were without power for several days.<ref name="Power failures"/>

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[[File:Katrina Bayou La Batre 2005 boats ashore.jpg|thumb|[[Bayou La Batre]]: cargo ship and fishing boats were grounded]]

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Along the Florida Panhandle the storm surge was typically about five feet (1.5 m) and along the west-central Florida coast there was a minor surge of 1 – 2 feet (0.3 – 0.6 m). In [[Pensacola, Florida]] 56 mph (90 km/h) winds were recorded on August 29. The winds caused damage to some trees and structures and there was some minor flooding in the Panhandle. There were two indirect fatalities from Katrina in [[Walton County, Florida|Walton County]] as a result of a traffic accident.<ref name="KatrinaTCR"/> In the Florida Panhandle, 77,000 customers lost power.<ref>Associated Press, "Katrina at a Glance" (August 31, 2005), page 4A, ''Mobile Register'', web: [http://www.al.com/mobileregister/pdf/register083105a.pdf MobileRegister-083105-PDF].</ref>

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Northern and central [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]] were affected by heavy rains and strong winds from Hurricane Katrina as the storm moved inland, with more than 3 inches (75 mm) of rain falling in several areas. At least 18 tornadoes formed in Georgia on August 29, the most on record in that state for one day in August. The most serious of these tornadoes was an F2 tornado which affected [[Heard County, Georgia|Heard County]] and [[Carroll County, Georgia|Carroll County]]. This tornado caused 3 injuries and one fatality and damaged several houses. In addition this tornado destroyed several poultry barns, killing over 140,000 chicks. The other tornadoes caused significant damages to buildings and agricultural facilities. In addition to the fatality caused by the F2 tornado, there was another fatality in a traffic accident.<ref>Westbrook, Robby; WFO Peachtree City Staff. "[http://web.archive.org/web/20080605060853/http://www.srh.noaa.gov/ffc/html/katrina05.shtml Katrina Spawns Tornadoes in Georgia - August 29, 2005]." ''[[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]].'' December 1, 2005. Retrieved on 2010-04-14.</ref>

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===Other U.S. States and Canada===

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[[File:Katrina2005filledrainblk.GIF|thumb|right|Total rainfall from Katrina in the United States. Data for the [[New Orleans]] area is not available.]]

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Hurricane Katrina weakened as it moved inland, but tropical-storm force gusts were recorded as far north as [[Fort Campbell, Kentucky]] on August 30, and the winds damaged trees in [[New York]]. The remnants of the storm brought high levels of rainfall to a wide swath of the [[eastern United States]], and rain in excess of 2 inches (50 mm) fell in parts of 20 states.<ref name="HPCrainfall">Staff Writer. "[http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/discussions/tcpat2.html Tropical Summary Message]." ''The Hydrometeorological Prediction Center.'' August 31, 2005. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref> A number of tornadoes associated with Katrina formed on August 30 and August 31, which caused minor damages in several regions. In total, 62 tornadoes formed in eight states as a result of Katrina.<ref name="katreport"/>

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Eastern [[Arkansas]] received light rain from the passage of Katrina.<ref name="rain">{{cite web|author=|year=2005|title=Hurricane Katrina Rainfall Summary|publisher=[[Hydrometeorological Prediction Center]]|accessdate=2006-11-04|url=http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/katrina2005.html}}</ref> Gusty winds downed some trees and power lines, though damage was minimal.<ref name="ncdcark">{{cite web|author=NCDC|year=2005|title=Event Report for Arkansas|accessdate=2006-11-04|url=http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~571417}}{{dead link|date=June 2012}}</ref> In [[Kentucky]], a storm that had moved through the weekend before had already produced flooding and the rainfall from Katrina added to this. As a result of the flooding, [[Governor of Kentucky|Kentucky Governor]] [[Ernie Fletcher]] declared three counties disaster areas and a statewide state of emergency.<ref>Staff Writer. "[http://web.archive.org/web/20060523081840/www.wkyt.com/Global/story.asp?S=3782559 Gov. Fletcher Declares Three Kentucky Counties Disaster Areas]." ''[[WKYT]].'' Accessed on April 18, 2006. Retrieved on 2010-04-14.</ref><ref>Blanton, Carla; Goins, Michael; Whitaker, Jodi. "[http://web.archive.org/web/20070903093942/http://kentucky.gov/Newsroom/governor/050830stateofemerg.htm Governor Fletcher declares state of emergency in Kentucky]." ''Commonwealth of Kentucky'' (Press Release). August 30, 2005. Retrieved on 2010-04-14.</ref> One person was killed in [[Hopkinsville, Kentucky]] and part of a high school collapsed.<ref>Staff Writer. "[http://www.wave3.com/Global/story.asp?S=3782760 Hopkinsville Swamped By Floodwaters; 10-Year-Old Drowns]." ''[[WAVE (TV)]].'' September 6, 2005. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref> Flooding also prompted a number of evacuations in [[West Virginia]] and [[Ohio]], the rainfall in Ohio leading to two indirect deaths. Katrina also caused a number of power outages in many areas, with over 100,000 customers affected in [[Tennessee]], primarily in the [[Memphis, Tennessee|Memphis]] and [[Nashville, Tennessee|Nashville]] areas.<ref>"[http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~600800 Hurricane Katrina: Event Record Details]{{dead link|date=June 2012}}." ''Satellite and Information Service; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.'' Accessed May 30, 2006. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref>

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The remnants of Katrina were absorbed by a new cyclone to its east across [[Pennsylvania]]. This second cyclone continued north and affected [[Canada]] on August 31. In [[Ontario]] there were a few isolated reports of rain in excess of 100 mm (4 inches) and there were a few reports of damage from fallen trees.<ref>Perreault, Bob. "[http://web.archive.org/web/20050907131339/http://www.cfra.com/headlines/index.asp?cat=1&nid=31504 Brockville May Have Set Rain Record]." ''[[CFRA (AM)]].'' September 1, 2005. Retrieved on 2010-04-14.</ref> Flooding also occurred in both Ontario and [[Quebec]], cutting off a number of isolated villages in Quebec, particularly in the [[Côte-Nord]] region.<ref>Staff Writer. "[http://web.archive.org/web/20070527140750/http://www.recorder.ca/cp/National/050901/n0901137A.html Remnants of Hurricane Katrina washes out roads in Quebec's north shore]." ''[[Canadian Press]].'' September 1, 2005. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref>

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==Aftermath==

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{{See also|Social effects of Hurricane Katrina|Political effects of Hurricane Katrina|Hurricane Katrina disaster relief|IDPs in the United States}}

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===Economic effects===

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{| style="float: right; margin:10px"

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|-

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| {{Costliest U.S. Atlantic hurricanes}}

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|}

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The economic effects of the storm were far-reaching. The Bush Administration sought $105 billion for repairs and reconstruction in the region,<ref>St. Onge, Jeff; Epstein, Victor. "[http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2006/04/01/ex_chief_says_fema_readiness_even_worse/ Ex-chief says FEMA readiness even worse]." ''Boston.com.'' April 1, 2006. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref> which did not account for damage to the economy caused by potential interruption of the [[petroleum|oil]] supply, destruction of the Gulf Coast's highway infrastructure, and exports of commodities such as grain. Katrina damaged or destroyed 30 [[oil platform]]s and caused the closure of nine [[oil refinery|refineries]];<ref name="katreport"/> the total shut-in oil production from the Gulf of Mexico in the six-month period following Katrina was approximately 24% of the annual production and the shut-in gas production for the same period was about 18%.<ref>Fagot, Caryl; Winbush, Debra. "[http://www.mms.gov/ooc/press/2006/press0222.htm Hurricane Katrina/Hurricane Rita Evacuation and Production Shut-in Statistics Report as of Wednesday, February 22, 2006]." ''[http://www.mms.gov/ U.S. Government Minerals Management Service].'' February 22, 2006. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref> The forestry industry in Mississippi was also affected, as 1.3 million acres (5,300 km2) of forest lands were destroyed.<ref name="CRS environment">{{cite web | last = Sheikh

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| first = Pervaze A. | date = October 18, 2005 | url = http://assets.opencrs.com/rpts/RL33117_20051018.pdf | title = The Impact of Hurricane Katrina on Biological Resources|format = PDF | publisher = [[Congressional Research Service]]| accessdate = 2010-04-14 |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080624185025/assets.opencrs.com/rpts/RL33117_20051018.pdf |archivedate=June 24, 2008}}</ref> The total loss to the forestry industry from Katrina is calculated to rise to about $5 billion.<ref name="CRS environment"/> Furthermore, hundreds of thousands of local residents were left unemployed, which will have a [[trickle-down effect]] as fewer taxes are paid to local governments. Before the hurricane, the region supported approximately one million non-farm jobs, with 600,000 of them in New Orleans. It is estimated that the total economic impact in Louisiana and Mississippi may exceed $150 billion.<ref>Burton, Mark L.; Hicks, Michael J. "[http://www.marshall.edu/cber/research/katrina/Katrina-Estimates.pdf Hurricane Katrina: Preliminary Estimates of Commercial and Public Sector Damages]." ''[[Marshall University]]: Center for Business and Economic Research.'' September 2005. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref>

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Katrina redistributed over one million people from the central Gulf coast elsewhere across the United States, which became the largest [[diaspora]] in the history of the United States.<ref>Anthony E. Ladd, John Marszalek, and Duane A. Gill. [http://web.archive.org/web/20080624185024/http://www.ssrc.msstate.edu/katrina/publications/katrinastudentsummary.pdf The Other Dispora: New Orleans Student Evacuation Impacts and Responses Surrounding Hurricane Katrina.] Retrieved on 2010-04-14.</ref> [[Houston, Texas]], had an increase of 35,000 people; [[Mobile, Alabama]], gained over 24,000; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, over 15,000; and [[Hammond, Louisiana]] received over 10,000, nearly doubling its size. [[Chicago]] received over 6,000 people, the most of any non-southern city.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://chicagodefender.com/page/local.cfm?ArticleID=6776 | title = Katrina evacuees at home in Chicago | author = Mema Ayi | publisher = [[Chicago Defender]] | date = August 30, 2006 | accessdate = 2010-04-14 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20071212040739/http://chicagodefender.com/page/local.cfm?ArticleID=6776 |archivedate = 2007-12-12}}</ref> By late January 2006, about 200,000 people were once again living in New Orleans, less than half of the pre-storm population.<ref name="popestimate">{{cite web | author=Greg Stone, Tim Grant, and Nathaniel Weaver | year = 2006 | title = Rapid Population Estimate Project: January 28 – 29, 2006 Survey Report | publisher = Emergency Operations Center, City of New Orleans | format = PDF|accessdate = 2010-04-14 |url=http://katrina.lsu.edu/downloads/research/NOLAPopEstimate.pdf}}</ref> By July 1, 2006, when new population estimates were calculated by the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the state of Louisiana showed a population decline of 219,563, or 4.87%.<ref name="popdecline">Christie, Les. "[http://money.cnn.com/2006/12/22/real_estate/fastest_growing_states/index.htm?postversion=2006122209 Growth states: Arizona overtakes Nevada: Texas adds most people overall; Louisiana population declines nearly 5%]." ''CNN.'' December 22, 2006. Retrieved on December 22, 2006.</ref> Additionally, some [[Insurance|insurance companies]] have stopped insuring homeowners in the area because of the high costs from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, or have raised homeowners' insurance premiums to cover their risk.<ref>Staff Writer. "[http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/05/28/eveningnews/main1663142.shtml More Bad News Blows In From Katrina]." ''CBS News.'' May 28, 2006. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref>

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===Environmental effects===

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[[File:Chandeleur L5 Oct2004Sep2005.jpg|thumb|The [[Chandeleur Islands]], before Katrina (left) and after (right), showing the impact of the storm along coastal areas.]]

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Katrina also had a profound impact on the environment. The storm surge caused substantial [[Coastal erosion|beach erosion]], in some cases completely devastating coastal areas. In Dauphin Island, approximately 90 miles (150 km) to the east of the point where the hurricane made landfall, the sand that comprised the [[barrier island]] was transported across the island into the [[Mississippi Sound]], pushing the island towards land.<ref>{{cite web | author = [[United States Geological Survey]] | date = September 14, 2005 | url = http://coastal.er.usgs.gov/hurricanes/katrina/lidar/dauphin-island.html | title = Daupin Island — Pre- and Post-Storm 3D Topography | work = Hurricane Katrina Impact Studies | publisher = [[USGS]] | accessdate = 2006-06-05}}</ref> The storm surge and waves from Katrina also obliterated the [[Chandeleur Islands]], which had been affected by Hurricane Ivan the previous year.<ref>{{cite web |author=United States Geological Survey |date=September 14, 2005 |url=http://coastal.er.usgs.gov/hurricanes/katrina/photo-comparisons/chandeleur.html | title = Before and After Photo Comparisons: Chandeleur Islands | work = Hurricane Katrina Impact Studies|publisher = USGS | accessdate = 2006-06-05}}</ref> The US Geological Survey has estimated {{convert|217|sqmi|km2}} of land was transformed to water by the hurricanes Katrina and Rita.<ref>[http://www.nwrc.usgs.gov/releases/pr06_002.htm "USGS Reports Latest Land Change Estimates for Louisiana Coast", USGS National Wetlands Research Center, Oct 3, 2006], accessed May 7, 2008</ref>

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The lands that were lost were breeding grounds for marine mammals, brown [[pelican]]s, [[turtle]]s, and [[fish]], as well as migratory species such as [[redhead duck]]s.<ref name="CRS environment"/> Overall, about 20% of the local [[marsh]]es were permanently overrun by water as a result of the storm.<ref name="CRS environment"/>

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The damage from Katrina forced the closure of 16 [[National Wildlife Refuge]]s. Breton National Wildlife Refuge lost half its area in the storm.<ref name="FWS impact">{{cite web | author = [[United States Fish and Wildlife Service]] | date = September 9, 2005 | url = http://www.fws.gov/southeast/news/2005/r05-088.html | title = U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Conducting Initial Damage Assessments to Wildlife and National Wildlife Refuges | publisher = [[U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service|USFWS]]|accessdate = 2006-06-05}}</ref> As a result, the hurricane affected the habitats of [[sea turtle]]s, Mississippi [[sandhill crane]]s, [[Red-cockaded woodpecker]]s and [[Alabama Beach Mouse|Alabama Beach mice]].<ref name="FWS impact"/>

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{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:92%; float:right; margin-top:0; margin-left:10px; margin-right:0;"

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|-

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! colspan=3 style="background:#ccf;" | '''Large oil spills caused by Hurricane Katrina''' Spills exceeding {{convert|10000|USgal|L|lk=on}}<ref name="msnbcspills"/>

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|-

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! rowspan = 2 | Spill Location

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! colspan = 2 | Quantity

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|-

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! (US gal) !! (L)

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|-

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| Bass Enterprises (Cox Bay) || style="text-align:right;"| 3,780,000 || style="text-align:right;"| {{convert|3780000|USgal|L|disp=output number only}}

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|-

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| Shell ([[Pilottown, Louisiana|Pilot Town]])|| style="text-align:right;"| 1,050,000 || style="text-align:right;"| {{convert|1050000|USgal|L|disp=output number only}}

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|-

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| Chevron ([[Empire, Louisiana|Empire]])|| style="text-align:right;"| 991,000 || style="text-align:right;"| {{convert|991000|USgal|L|disp=output number only}}

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|-

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| Murphy Oil ([[Meraux, Louisiana|Meraux]] and [[Chalmette, Louisiana|Chalmette]])|| style="text-align:right;"| 819,000 || style="text-align:right;"| {{convert|819000|USgal|L|disp=output number only}}

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|-

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| Bass Enterprises ([[Pointe à la Hache, Louisiana|Pointe à la Hache]])|| style="text-align:right;"| 461,000 || style="text-align:right;"| {{convert|461000|USgal|L|disp=output number only}}

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|-

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| Chevron ([[Port Fourchon, Louisiana|Port Fourchon]])|| style="text-align:right;"| 53,000 || style="text-align:right;"| {{convert|53000|USgal|L|disp=output number only}}

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|-

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| Venice Energy Services ([[Venice, Louisiana|Venice]])|| style="text-align:right;"| 25,000 || style="text-align:right;"|{{convert|25000|USgal|L|disp=output number only}}

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|-

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| Shell Pipeline Oil (Nairn)|| style="text-align:right;"| 13,440 || style="text-align:right;"| {{convert|13440|USgal|L|disp=output number only}}

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|-

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| Sundown Energy (West Potash)|| style="text-align:right;"| 13,000 || style="text-align:right;"| {{convert|13000|USgal|L|disp=output number only}}

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|}

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The storm caused [[oil spill]]s from 44 facilities throughout southeastern Louisiana, which resulted in over 7 million U.S. gallons (26 million L) of [[oil]] being leaked. Some spills were as small as a few hundred gallons; the largest are tabulated to the right. While most of the spills were contained on-site, some oil entered the ecosystem, and the town of [[Meraux, Louisiana|Meraux]] was flooded with a blend of water and oil.<ref name="msnbcspills">{{cite news | author=Miguel Llanos | title=44 oil spills found in southeast Louisiana | work=MSNBC | url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9365607/ | publisher = MSNBC | date=September 19, 2005 | accessdate = 2006-06-15}}</ref> Unlike [[Hurricane Ivan]] no offshore oil spills were officially reported after Hurricane Katrina. However, Skytruth reported some signs of surface oil in the Gulf of Mexico.<ref name="msnbcspills"/>

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Finally, as part of the cleanup effort, the flood waters that covered New Orleans were pumped into Lake Pontchartrain, a process that took 43 days to complete.<ref name="katreport"/> These residual waters contained a mix of raw [[sewage]], [[bacteria]], [[heavy metals]], [[pesticide]]s, toxic chemicals, and [[oil]], which sparked fears in the scientific community of massive numbers of fish dying.<ref name="CRS environment"/>

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Prior to the storm, [[subsidence]] and [[erosion]] caused erosion in the Louisiana wetlands and [[bayou]]s. This, along with the canals built in the area, allowed for Katrina to maintain more of its intensity when it struck.<ref>{{cite book|page=22|author=Mike Tidwell|title=The Ravaging Tide: Strange Weather, Future Katrinas, and the Coming Death of America's Coastal Cities|publisher=Free Press|year=2006|isbn=0-7432-9470-X|accessdate=2010-04-14|url=http://books.google.com/?id=NqfVpDFUDk4C&printsec=frontcover&dq=The+Ravaging+Tide:+Strange+Weather,+Future+Katrinas,+and+the+Coming+Death+of+America%27s+Coastal+Cities+book&q=The%20Ravaging%20Tide%3A%20Strange%20Weather%2C%20Future%20Katrinas%2C%20and%20the%20Coming%20Death%20of%20America%27s%20Coastal%20Cities%20book}}</ref>

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===Looting and violence===

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{{further2|[[Effects of Hurricane Katrina on New Orleans#Civil disturbances|Effects of Hurricane Katrina on New Orleans]]}}

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[[File:USBP-SRT-New Orleans.jpg|thumb|A [[United States Border Patrol|Border Patrol]] Special Response Team searches a hotel room-by-room in New Orleans in response to Hurricane Katrina.]]

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Shortly after the hurricane moved away on August 30, 2005, some residents of New Orleans who remained in the city began [[looting]] stores. Many were in search of food and water that were not available to them through any other means, as well as non-essential items.<ref>[[KLRT-TV|KLRT]] FOX 16, "[http://community.fox16.com/photos/story_in_pictures--_hurricane_katrina/picture807981.aspx Photos : Story in Pictures-- Hurricane Katrina : Aug 31: Looting in Mississippi]." ''[[FOX16 Nowcaster Community]]'' ([[Little Rock, Arkansas]]). August 31, 2005. Retrieved on 2006-09-11.</ref>

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Reports of [[carjacking]], [[murder]]s, [[theft]]s, and [[rape]]s in New Orleans flooded the news. Some sources later determined that many of the reports were inaccurate, because of the confusion.<ref>{{cite news

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| last = Rosenblatt

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| first = Sarah

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| coauthors = James Rainey

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| title = Rita's Aftermath; Katrina Takes a Toll on Truth, News Accuracy

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| work = Main News; Part A; National Desk

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| page = A16

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| publisher = [[Los Angeles Times]]

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| date = 2005-09-27

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| url = http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-na-rumors27sep27,0,5536446.story?track=hpmostemailedlink

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| archiveurl = http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/902682211.html?dids=902682211:902682211&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Sep+27%2C+2005&author=Susannah+Rosenblatt+and+James+Rainey&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&edition=&startpage=A.16&desc=RITA%27S+AFTERMATH%3B+Katrina+Takes+a+Toll+on+Truth%2C+News+Accuracy%3B+Rumors+supplanted+accurate+information+and+media+magnified+the+problem.+Rapes%2C+violence+and+estimates+of+the+dead+were+wrong.

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| archivedate = 2005-10-04

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}}</ref> Thousands of National Guard and federal troops were mobilized (the total went from 7,841 in the area the day Katrina hit to a maximum of 46,838 on September 10) and sent to Louisiana along with numbers of local law enforcement agents from across the country who were temporarily deputized by the state. "They have [[M16 rifle|M16s]] and are locked and loaded. These troops know how to shoot and kill and I expect they will," Louisiana Governor [[Kathleen Blanco]] said. Congressman [[Bill Jefferson]] (D-LA) told [[ABC News]]: "There was shooting going on. There was sniping going on. Over the first week of September, law and order were gradually restored to the city."<ref>Tapper, Jake. "[http://www.abcnews.go.com/US/HurricaneKatrina/story?id=1123495&page=1 Amid Katrina Chaos, Congressman Used National Guard to Visit Home]." ''[[ABC News]].'' September 13, 2005. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref> Several shootings occurred between police and New Orleans residents, some involving [[police misconduct]]; including [[Danziger Bridge shootings|a fatal incident]] at [[Danziger Bridge]].<ref>Staff Writer. "[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9208195/ Police kill at least 5 in New Orleans]." ''[[MSNBC]].'' September 4, 2005. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref>

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A number of [[arrests]] were made throughout the affected area, including some near the New Orleans Convention Center. A temporary jail was constructed of chain link cages in the city train station.<ref>Staff Writer. "[http://www.komonews.com/news/archive/4163081.html At the Train Station, New Orleans' Newest Jail is Open For Business]." ''[[KOMO-TV]].'' September 6, 2005. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref>

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In Texas, where more than 300,000 refugees were located, local officials ran 20,000 criminal background checks on the refugees, as well as on the relief workers helping them and people who opened up their homes. The background checks found that 45% of the refugees had a criminal record of some nature, and that 22% had a violent criminal record.<ref name="WBOY WV records">Schubert, Elizabeth. "[http://www.wboy.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=5266 Some Katrina Evacuees at Camp Dawson Have Criminal Records]{{dead link|date=June 2012}}." ''Associated Press.'' September 18, 2005. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref> The number of homicides in [[Houston]] from September 2005 through February 22, 2006 went up by 23% relative to the same period a year before; 29 of the 170 murders involved displaced Louisianans as victims or suspects.<ref>"[http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000103&sid=az6n8C6gsqf0 Louisiana Gangs That Fled Katrina Heighten Houston Murder Rate]." ''[[Bloomberg Television|Bloomberg.com]].'' March 3, 2006. Retrieved on 2006-07-15.</ref>

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===Government response===

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[[File:Katrina x large.png|right|thumb|300px|Chart showing some common uses of the FEMA marking system in [[New Orleans]] after Hurricane Katrina]]

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[[File:BUSHKATRINA.jpg|thumb|President Bush stands with [[Secretary of Defense]] [[Donald Rumsfeld]], [[Secretary of Labor]] [[Elaine Chao]] and [[Secretary of Health and Human Services]] [[Mike Leavitt]] during a press conference from the [[White House Rose Garden|Rose Garden]], regarding the devastation along the Gulf Coast caused by Katrina.]]

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[[File:BUSHJACKET.jpg|thumb|President Bush examines the flooded areas from Air Force One.]]

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Within the United States and as delineated in the [[National Response Plan]], disaster response and planning is first and foremost a local government responsibility. When local government exhausts its resources, it then requests specific additional resources from the county level. The request process proceeds similarly from the county to the state to the federal government as additional resource needs are identified. Many of the problems that arose developed from inadequate planning and back-up communications systems at various levels.<ref name="usgovwh"/>

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Some [[disaster recovery]] response to Katrina began before the storm, with [[Federal Emergency Management Agency of the United States|Federal Emergency Management Agency]] (FEMA) preparations that ranged from logistical supply deployments to a [[mortuary]] team with refrigerated trucks. A network of volunteers began rendering assistance to local residents and residents emerging from New Orleans and surrounding parishes as soon as the storm made landfall (even though many were directed to not enter the area), and continued for more than six months after the storm.<ref name="usgovwh">{{cite web|author=U.S. Government|title=The FEDERAL RESPONSE TO HURRICANE KATRINA: LESSONS LEARNED|year=2006|publisher=|accessdate=2008-06-06|url=http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/reports/katrina-lessons-learned.pdf|format=PDF}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>

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Of the 60,000 people stranded in New Orleans, the Coast Guard rescued more than 33,500.<ref name="GAO-06-903">{{cite book | author = United States Government Accountability Office | authorlink = Government Accountability Office | url = http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d06903.pdf | title = Coast Guard: Observations on the Preparation, Response, and Recovery Missions Related to Hurricane Katrina | accessdate = 2006-08-27 | month= July | year= 2006 | format = PDF}}</ref> Congress recognized the Coast Guard's response with an official entry in the Congressional Record,<ref name="S. 246">{{cite book | author = United States Congress | title = Senate Resolution 246: To express the sense of the Senate regarding the missions and performance of the United States Coast Guard in responding to Hurricane Katrina. | format = PDF | date = September 21, 2005 | accessdate = 2006-08-27 | publisher = Government Printing Office | url = http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=109_cong_bills&docid=f:sr246ats.txt.pdf}}</ref> and the [[Military of the United States|Armed Service]] was awarded the [[Presidential Unit Citation (US)|Presidential Unit Citation]].<ref>{{cite web | title = USCG Message Traffic: Award of the Presidential Unit Citation to the Coast Guard|date = May 25, 2006 | accessdate = 2008-11-15 | url = http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg3/cg3pcx/publications/alcoast/alcoast-317-06.asp | publisher = United States Coast Guard}}</ref>

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The [[United States Northern Command]] established [[Joint Task Force Katrina|Joint Task Force (JTF) Katrina]] based out of [[Camp Shelby]], Mississippi, to act as the military's on-scene response on Sunday, August 28, with [[US Army]] [[Lieutenant general (United States)|Lieutenant General]] [[Russel L. Honoré]] as commander.<ref>"[http://web.archive.org/web/20070817085847/www.defenselink.mil/transcripts/transcript.aspx?transcriptid=1955 Special Defense Department Briefing with Commander of Joint Task Force Katrina]". ''[[United States Department of Defense]],'' News Transcript. September 1, 2005. Retrieved on 2010-04-14.</ref> Approximately 58,000 National Guard personnel were activated to deal with the storm's aftermath, with troops coming from all 50 states.<ref>Phillips, Kyra. "[http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0509/06/se.01.html Bush Discusses Displaced Students; Department of Defense Briefs Press on Katrina Response (CNN Live Transcript)]." ''CNN.'' September 6, 2005. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref> The [[United States Department of Defense|Department of Defense]] also activated volunteer members of the [[Civil Air Patrol]].

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Michael Chertoff, [[United States Secretary of Homeland Security|Secretary]] of the [[United States Department of Homeland Security|Department of Homeland Security]], decided to take over the federal, state, and local operations officially on August 30, 2005, citing the National Response Plan.<ref>California Political Desk. "[http://www.californiachronicle.com/articles/viewArticle.asp?articleID=5916 Pelosi: Davis Report on Katrina Leaves Unfinished Business]." ''[http://www.californiachronicle.com/ California Chronicle].'' February 15, 2006. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref> This was refused by Governor Blanco who indicated that her National Guard could manage. Early in September, Congress authorized a total of $62.3 billion in aid for victims.<ref>Baker, Peter; Goldstein, Amy. "[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/08/AR2005090801081.html Congress Approves $51.8 Billion For Victims]." ''[[Washington Post]].'' September 9, 2005. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref> Additionally, President Bush enlisted the help of former presidents [[Bill Clinton]] and [[George H.W. Bush]] to raise additional voluntary contributions, much as they did after the [[2004 Indian Ocean earthquake]] and [[tsunami]].<ref>Bush, George W. "[http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2005/09/20050901-3.html President Asks Bush and Clinton to Assist in Hurricane Relief]." ''White House,'' Press Release. September 1, 2005. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref> [[Flag of the United States|American flags]] were also ordered to be [[half-staff]] from September 2, 2005 to September 20, 2005 in honor of the victims.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2005/09/20050904-2.html |title=Proclamation by the President: Honoring the Memory of the Victims of Hurricane Katrina |publisher=Whitehouse.gov |date= |accessdate=2008-10-27}}</ref>

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FEMA provided housing assistance (rental assistance, [[FEMA Trailer|trailers]], etc.) to more than 700,000 applicants—families and individuals. However, only one-fifth of the trailers requested in Orleans Parish were supplied, resulting in an enormous housing shortage in the city of New Orleans.<ref>''Times-Picayune,'' September 26, 2005, page A-12. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref> Many local areas voted to not allow the trailers, and many areas had no utilities, a requirement prior to placing the trailers. To provide for additional housing, FEMA has also paid for the hotel costs of 12,000 individuals and families displaced by Katrina through February 7, 2006, when a final deadline was set for the end of hotel cost coverage. After this deadline, evacuees were still eligible to receive federal assistance, which could be used towards either apartment rent, additional hotel stays, or fixing their ruined homes, although FEMA no longer paid for hotels directly.<ref>Foster, Mary. "[http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/02/13/katrina/main1311616.shtml Judge: FEMA Off Hook For Hotel Costs]." ''[[CBC News]].'' February 13, 2006. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref> As of March 30, 2010, there were still 260 families living in FEMA-provided trailers in Louisiana and Mississippi.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wlox.com/Global/story.asp?S=12230906|title=Hancock Co. woman struggles to get out of FEMA trailer|author=Al Showers|publisher=WLOX Channel 13|date=2010-03-30|accessdate=2010-04-14}}</ref>

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Law enforcement and public safety agencies, from across the United States, provided a "[[Mutual aid (emergency services)|mutual aid]]" response to Louisiana and New Orleans in the weeks following the disaster. Many agencies responded with manpower and equipment from as far away as [[California]], [[Michigan]], [[Nevada]], New York, and [[Texas]]. This response was welcomed by local Louisiana authorities as their staff were either becoming fatigued, stretched too thin, or even quitting from the job.<ref>{{cite news | last = Treaster | first = Joseph B. | title = Law Officers, Overwhelmed, Are Quitting the Force | url = http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/04/national/nationalspecial/04police.html?ei=5090&en=8bf8550c348bbc33&ex=1283486400&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss&pagewanted=print | publisher = New York Times|date = September 4, 2005 | accessdate=2006-06-24}}</ref>

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Two weeks after the storm, more than half of the states were involved in providing shelter for evacuees. By four weeks after the storm, evacuees had been registered in all 50 states and in 18,700 zip codes—half of the nation's residential postal zones. Most evacuees had stayed within 250 miles (400 km), but 240,000 households went to Houston and other cities over {{convert|250|mi|km}} away and another 60,000 households went over 750 miles (1,200 km) away.<ref>{{cite web | last = Quigley | first = Bill | title = Six Months After Katrina: Who Was Left Behind Then and Who is Being Left Behind Now? | url = http://www.cwsworkshop.org/katrinareader/node/162 | date = 2006-02-21 | accessdate = 2008-11-15 }}</ref>

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===Criticism of government response===

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[[File:USNS Comfort.jpg|thumb|upright|[[USNS Comfort|USNS ''Comfort'']] takes on supplies at [[Mayport, Florida]] en route to the Gulf Coast.]]

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The criticisms of the government's response to Hurricane Katrina primarily consisted of criticism of [[Administrative incompetence|mismanagement]] and lack of [[leadership]] in the relief efforts in response to the storm and its aftermath. More specifically, the criticism focused on the delayed response to the flooding of New Orleans, and the subsequent state of chaos in the Crescent City.<ref name="thevenot" /> The [[neologism]] ''Katrina[[-gate|gate]]'' was coined to refer to this controversy, and was a runner-up for "2005 word of the year."<ref>Clark, Heather. "[http://web.archive.org/web/20060325135124/http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=1480616 Linguists Vote 'Truthiness' Word of 2005]." ''ABC News.'' January 6, 2006. Retrieved on 2010-04-14.</ref>

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Within days of Katrina's August 29, 2005 landfall, public debate arose about the local, state and federal governments' role in the [[Preparations for Hurricane Katrina|preparations]] for and response to the hurricane. [[Criticism]] was initially prompted by televised images of visibly shaken and frustrated political leaders, and of residents who remained stranded by flood waters without [[drinking water|water]], [[food]] or shelter. Deaths from [[thirst]], [[Fatigue (medical)|exhaustion]], and [[violence]], days after the storm had passed, fueled the criticism, as did the dilemma of the evacuees at facilities such as the Louisiana Superdome (designed to handle 800, yet 30,000 arrived) and the New Orleans Civic Center (not designed as an evacuation center, yet 25,000 arrived). Some alleged that [[Race (classification of human beings)|race]], [[social class|class]], and other factors could have contributed to delays in government response.

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In accordance with federal law, President George W. Bush directed the [[Secretary of Homeland Security|Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security]], Michael Chertoff, to coordinate the Federal response. Chertoff designated [[Michael D. Brown]], head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, as the Principal Federal Official to lead the deployment and coordination of all federal response resources and forces in the Gulf Coast region. However, the President and Secretary Chertoff initially came under harsh criticism for what some perceived as a lack of planning and coordination. Brown claimed that Governor Blanco resisted their efforts and was unhelpful. Governor Blanco and her staff disputed this.<ref>{{cite news | author = David Kirkpatrick and Scott Shane | title = Ex-FEMA Chief Tells of Frustration and Chaos | date = September 15, 2005 | accessdate = 2010-05-13|publisher = The New York Times | url = http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/15/national/nationalspecial/15brown.html?pagewanted=all}}</ref> Eight days later, Brown was recalled to Washington and Coast Guard Vice Admiral [[Thad W. Allen]] replaced him as chief of hurricane relief operations.<ref>Meserve, Jeanne; Barrett, Ted. "[http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/09/09/katrina.washington/index.html Admiral takes over Katrina relief]." ''CNN.'' September 9, 2005. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref> Three days after the recall, Michael D. Brown resigned as director of FEMA in spite of having received recent praise from President Bush.<ref>{{cite web | author = Office of the Press Secretary | title = President Arrives in Alabama, Briefed on Hurricane Katrina | date = September 2, 2005 | accessdate = 2006-07-19|publisher = The White House | url = http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2005/09/20050902-2.html}}</ref>

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During ''[[A Concert for Hurricane Relief]]'', a benefit concert for victims of the hurricane, rapper [[Kanye West]] veered off script and harshly criticized the government's response to the crisis, stating that "George Bush doesn't care about [[black people]]." Although the camera quickly cut away, and the scene was deleted from delayed broadcasts, West's comments still reached the East Coast broadcasts, and were replayed and discussed afterwards.<ref>{{cite news|last=de Moraes|first=Lisa|title=Kanye West's Torrent of Criticism, Live on NBC|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/03/AR2005090300165.html|work=The Washington Post|date=2005-09-03|accessdate=2008-09-01}}</ref> Bush later called West's remarks 'the worst moment in his presidency', feeling he was unjustly accused of racism.<ref>{{cite news|last=CHAPPELL|first=BILL |title=Bush Says Kanye West's Attack Was Low Point Of His Presidency; West Agrees|url=http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2010/11/03/131052717/bush-says-kanye-west-s-attack-was-low-point-of-his-presidency|work=NPR|date=2010-11-03|accessdate=2011-08-28}}</ref>

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Criticism from politicians, activists, pundits and journalists of all stripes was directed at the local and state governments headed by Mayor Ray Nagin of New Orleans and Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco. Nagin and Blanco were criticized for failing to implement New Orleans' evacuation plan and for ordering residents to a shelter of last resort without any provisions for food, water, security, or sanitary conditions. Perhaps the most important criticism of Nagin was that he delayed his emergency evacuation order until 19 hours before landfall, which led to hundreds of deaths of people who (by that time) could not find any way out of the city.<ref name="CongressInvestigation"/>

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The destruction wrought by Hurricane Katrina raised other, more general public policy issues about [[emergency management]], [[environmental policy]], [[poverty]], and [[unemployment]]. The discussion of both the immediate response and of the broader public policy issues may have affected [[elections]] and [[legislation]] enacted at various [[Executive (government)|levels of government]]. The storm's devastation also prompted a Congressional investigation, which found that FEMA and the Red Cross "did not have a logistics capacity sophisticated enough to fully support the massive number of Gulf coast victims." Additionally, it placed responsibility for the disaster on all three levels of government.<ref name="CongressInvestigation"/>

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An ABC News [[Opinion poll|poll]] conducted on September 2, 2005, showed more blame was being directed at state and local governments (75%) than at the Federal government (67%), with 44% blaming Bush's leadership directly.<ref name="abcnewspoll">Langer, Gary. "[http://abcnews.go.com/US/HurricaneKatrina/story?id=1094262&page=1 Poll: Bush Not Taking Brunt of Katrina Criticism]." ''ABC News.'' September 12, 2005. Retrieved on July 15, 2006.</ref> A later [[CNN]]/[[USAToday]]/[[Gallup poll]] showed that respondents disagreed widely on who was to blame for the problems in the city following the hurricane — 13% said Bush, 18% said federal agencies, 25% blamed state or local officials and 38% said no one was to blame.<ref name="cnnpoll">Staff Writer. "[http://edition.cnn.com/2005/US/09/07/katrina.poll/ Poll: Most Americans believe New Orleans will never recover]." ''CNN.'' September 8, 2005. Retrieved on July 15, 2006.</ref>

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Five former police officers have pleaded guilty to charges connected to the [[Danziger Bridge shootings]] in the aftermath of the hurricane. Six other former or current officers appeared in court in June 2011. Two unarmed civilians were killed and four others seriously wounded when police opened fire on people attempting to cross the bridge.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://edition.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/12/01/louisiana.katrina.shootings/| title=Ex-cop gets 8 years for role in post-Katrina shootings| publisher=CNN| date=December 2, 2010}}</ref>

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===International response===

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[[File:Canadian relief transport.jpg|thumb|[[United States Navy]] personnel unload [[Canada|Canadian]] relief supplies from a [[Canadian Forces Air Command|Canadian Air Force]] transport aircraft in [[Pensacola, Florida]].]]

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Over seventy countries pledged monetary donations or other assistance. Notably, Cuba and [[Venezuela]] (both considered as hostile to US government interest) were the first countries to offer assistance, pledging over $1 million, several mobile hospitals, water treatment plants, canned food, bottled water, heating oil, 1,100 doctors and 26.4 metric tons of medicine, though this aid was rejected by the U.S. government.<ref>"[http://web.archive.org/web/20080614224742/http://english.aljazeera.net/English/archive/archive?ArchiveId=14771 Venezuela and Cuba offer US aid ]." [[Al Jazeera]], September 7, 2005. Retrieved on 2010-04-14.</ref><ref>"[http://web.archive.org/web/20071105025006/http://www.freepeoplesmovement.org/fpm/page.php?56 Venezuela and Cuba offer aid to Katrina victims]." [[Free Press (publisher)|The Free Press]], Volume 1, Issue 4. Retrieved on 2010-04-14.</ref><ref>"[http://web.archive.org/web/20080616014353/http://www.pww.org/article/view/7693/1/285/ From abroad, offers of aid for Katrina victims]." [[People's Weekly World]], September 10, 2005. Retrieved on 2010-04-14.</ref><ref>"[http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2005-09-02-katrinaworldhelps_x.htm France, Cuba, Venezuela among those offering aid]." [[USA Today]], Sept 2, 2005. Retrieved on 2007-08-05.</ref> [[Kuwait]] made the largest single pledge, $500 million; other large donations were made by [[Qatar]] and [[United Arab Emirates]] (each $100 million), [[South Korea]] ($30 million), [[Australia]] ($10 million), [[India]], [[People's Republic of China|China]] (both $5 million), [[New Zealand]] ($2 million),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0509/S00159.htm |title=Scoop: Further NZ assistance in wake of Hurricane Katrina |publisher=Scoop.co.nz |author=Tuesday, September 6, 2005, 3:47 pm Press Release: New Zealand Government |date= |accessdate=2008-10-27}}</ref> [[Pakistan]] ($1.5 million),<ref>Staff Writer. "[http://web.archive.org/web/20071222192047/http://usembassy.state.gov/pakistan/h05090802.html U.S. Grateful for Pakistan's Assistance for Hurricane Katrina Victims]."''Embassy of the United States. September 8, 2005. Retrieved on 2010-04-14.</ref> and [[Bangladesh]] ($1 million).<ref>Staff Writer. "[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4215820.stm Asian nations offer U.S. assistance]." ''BBC News.'' September 5, 2005. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref>

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India sent tarps, blankets and hygiene kits. An [[Indian Air Force]] IL-76 aircraft delivered 25 tonnes of relief supplies for the Hurricane Katrina victims at the Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas on September 13, 2005.

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[[Israel]] sent an [[Israel Defense Forces|IDF]] delegation to New Orleans to transport aid equipment including 80 tons of food, disposable diapers, beds, blankets, generators and additional equipment which were donated from different governmental institutions, civilian institutions and the IDF.<ref>Ministry of Foreign Affairs. "[http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/About+the+Ministry/MFA+Spokesman/2005/Israeli+aid+to+Hurricane+Katrina+victims+5-Sep-2005.htm Israel Aids Hurricane Katrina Victims]." ''[[Ministry of Foreign Affairs|MFA]].'' September 5, 2005. Retrieved on 2006-12-17.</ref> The Bush Administration announced in mid-September that it did not need Israeli divers and physicians to come to the United States for search and rescue missions, but a small team landed in New Orleans on September 10 to give assistance to operations already under way. The team administered first aid to survivors, rescued [[abandoned pets]] and discovered hurricane victims.<ref>Jewish Virtual Library. "[http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Politics/Katrianaid.html Israel's Aid to Hurricane Katrina Victims]." ''[[Jewish Virtual Library]].''</ref>

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Countries like [[Sri Lanka]], which was still recovering from the [[2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami|Indian Ocean Tsunami]], also offered to help. Countries including [[Canadian response to Hurricane Katrina|Canada]], [[Mexican response to Hurricane Katrina|Mexico]], [[Singaporean response to Hurricane Katrina|Singapore]], and [[Germany]] sent supplies, relief personnel (like [[Technisches Hilfswerk]]), troops, ships and water pumps to aid in the disaster recovery. [[Belgium]] sent in a team of relief personnel. [[UK|Britain's]] donation of 350,000 emergency meals did not reach victims because of laws regarding mad cow disease.<ref>Staff Writer. "[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4344168.stm U.S. rejects British Katrina beef]." ''BBC News.'' October 15, 2005.</ref> [[Russia]]'s [[Russian response to Hurricane Katrina|initial offer]] of two jets was declined by the U.S. State Department but accepted later. The [[France|French]] [[French response to Hurricane Katrina|offer]] was also declined and requested later.<ref>Staff Writer. "[http://edition.cnn.com/2005/US/09/04/katrina.world.aid U.S. receives aid offers from around the world]." ''CNN.'' September 4, 2005. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref>

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In addition to receiving aid from around the world, there was criticism to go along with it, including accusations of racism. Quoted from the UK Mirror, "Many things about the United States are wonderful, but it has a vile underbelly which is usually kept well out of sight. Now in New Orleans it has been exposed to the world."<ref>"[http://www.tolerance.org/news/article_tol.jsp?id=1291 KATRINA AND RACISM: The World View]." ''Tolerance.org.'' September 19, 2006. Retrieved on 2006-08-28.</ref>

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===Non-governmental organization response===

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[[File:FEMA - 15322 - Photograph by Andrea Booher taken on 09-05-2005 in Texas.jpg|thumb|Residents of Louisiana, who had to flee their homes because of Hurricane Katrina, are inside the [[Houston Astrodome]] and being helped by the Red Cross and other agencies and associations.]]

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The [[American Red Cross]], America's Second Harvest (now known as [[Feeding America]]), [[Southern Baptist Convention]], [[Salvation Army]], [[Oxfam]], [[Common Ground Collective]], [[Burners Without Borders]],<ref name="sfbg">{{cite news | first=Steven T. | last=Jones | url=http://www.sfbg.com/40/21/cover_katrina.html | title=From here to Katrina | work=San Francisco Bay Guardian | date=2006-02-22 | accessdate=2006-05-18}}</ref> [[Emergency Communities]], [[Habitat for Humanity]], [[Catholic Charities]], Service International, "A River of Hope", [[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]],<ref>{{cite web|publisher=[[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints]]|title=Church Providing Relief to Hurricane Katrina Victims|url=http://newsroom.lds.org/article/church-providing-relief-to-hurricane-katrina-victims|date=2005-09-01|accessdate=2010-01-15}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Latter-day Saints to Mobilize Another 4,000 Volunteers in Chainsaw Brigade’s Second Wave|publisher=[[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]]|url=http://newsroom.lds.org/article/latter-day-saints-to-mobilize-another-4,000-volunteers-in-chainsaw-brigade-s-second-wave|date=2005-09-16|accessdate=2010-01-18}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Mormon Helping Hands Make a Difference|publisher=[[Meridian Magazine]]|url=http://www.meridianmagazine.com/articles/051020helpinghands.html|year=2005|accessdate=2010-01-18}}{{dead link|date=November 2011}}</ref> and many other charitable organizations provided help to the victims of the storm. They were not allowed into New Orleans proper by the National Guard for several days after the storm because of safety concerns. These organizations raised US$4.25 billion in donations by the public, with the Red Cross receiving over half of the donations.<ref name = "Charity Navigator report">{{cite web | author = Staff writer|publisher= [[Charity Navigator]] | title = Where Did The Money Go? | year= 2006 | accessdate = 2006-08-05 | work = Hurricane Katrina: One Year Later | url = http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm/bay/katrina.main.htm}}</ref> Some smaller organizations and individuals ignored the access restrictions and provided early relief. For example, two privately chartered planes from [[FasterCures]] evacuated 200 patents from Charity Hospital in New Orleans.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:XkcI43WOMN0J:www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,168978,00.html+&cd=5&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us |title=Al Gore Airlifts Evacuees — Politics | Republican Party | Democratic Party | Political Spectrum — FOXNews.com |publisher=Webcache.googleusercontent.com |date=2005-09-09 |accessdate=2012-02-19}}{{dead link|date=June 2012}}</ref>

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Volunteers from [[amateur radio]]'s emergency service wing, the [[Amateur Radio Emergency Service]], provided communications in areas where the communications infrastructure had been damaged or totally destroyed, relaying everything from 911 traffic to messages home.<ref>{{cite journal|author=Staff Writer|url=http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter?issue=2005-09-16|title=ARRL President Submits Congressional Testimony on Hams' Katrina Response|publisher=American Radio Relay League|accessdate=2010-04-14|date=2005-09-16|volume=24|issue=36}}</ref> In Hancock County, Mississippi, ham radio operators provided the only communications into or out of the area, and even served as 911 dispatchers.<ref>Rick Palm. "[http://www.arrl.org/ares-el?issue=2005-09-22 ARES E-Letter for September 22, 2005]." ''The American Radio Relay League.'' September 22, 2005. Retrieved on 2010-04-14.</ref>

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Many corporations also contributed to relief efforts. On September 13, 2005, it was reported that corporate donations to the relief effort were $409 million, and were expected to exceed $1 billion.<ref>"[http://money.cnn.com/2005/09/13/news/fortune500/katrina_donations/ Corporate Katrina gifts could top $1B]." ''CNN.'' September 13, 2005. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref>

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During and after the Hurricanes Katrina, Wilma and Rita, the American Red Cross had opened 1,470 different shelters across and registered 3.8 million overnight stays. None were allowed in New Orleans however. A total of 244,000 Red Cross workers (95% of which were non-paid volunteers) were utilized throughout these three hurricanes. In addition, 346,980 comfort kits (such as toothpaste, soap, washcloths and toys for children) and 205,360 cleanup kits (containing brooms, mops and bleach) were distributed. For mass care, the organization served 68 million snacks and meals to victims of the disasters and to rescue workers. The Red Cross also had its Disaster Health services meet 596,810 contacts, and Disaster Mental Health services met 826,590 contacts. Red Cross emergency financial assistance was provided to 1.4 million families. Hurricane Katrina was the first natural disaster in the United States in which the American Red Cross utilized its "Safe and Well" family location website.<ref name="ARC 1 yr">{{cite web | publisher = [[American Red Cross]] | title = A Year of Healing |month=August | date = 2006-09-29 | url = http://www.redcross.org/images/pdfs/Katrina_OneYearReport.pdf|format=PDF}}</ref><ref name = "ARC 2005AHS facts">{{cite web | publisher = American Red Cross | title = Hurricane Season 2005: Facts and Figures|date = 2006-09-29 | url = http://www.redcross.org/news/ds/hurricanes/2005/facts.html}}{{dead link|date=June 2012}}</ref>

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In the year following Katrina's strike on the Gulf Coast, The Salvation Army allocated donations of more than $365 million to serve more than 1.7 million people in nearly every state. The organization's immediate response to Hurricane Katrina included more than 5.7 million hot meals served in and around New Orleans, 8.3 million sandwiches, snacks & drinks. Its SATERN network of amateur radio operators picked up where modern communications left off to help locate more than 25,000 survivors. Salvation Army pastoral care counselors were on hand to comfort the emotional and spiritual needs of 277,000 individuals. As part of the overall effort, Salvation Army officers, employees and volunteers contributed more than 900,000 hours of service.<ref name="Salvation Army">{{cite web | url = http://www.salvationist.org/intnews.nsf/vw_web_articles/80D873B8CDAC8607802571D9003FDDEF?opendocument | title = Salvation Army Reflects on Largest Disaster Response Ever at One-Year Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina | accessdate = 2010-04-14|date = August 28, 2006 | publisher = [[Salvation Army|The Salvation Army]]}}</ref>

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===Analysis of New Orleans levee failures===

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[[File:Hurricane Katrina Eye viewed from Hurricane Hunter.jpg|thumb|upright|View of the eyewall of Hurricane Katrina taken on August 28, 2005, as seen from a [[NOAA]] [[WP-3D Orion|WP-3D]] [[hurricane hunter]] aircraft before the storm made landfall on the United States [[Gulf Coast]].]]

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A June 2007 report released by the [[American Society of Civil Engineers]] states that the failures of the locally built and federally funded levees in New Orleans were found to be primarily the result of system design flaws.<ref name="ASCE HKERP report"/> The [[US Army Corps of Engineers]] who by federal mandate is responsible for the conception, design and construction of the region's flood-control system failed to pay sufficient attention to public safety.

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According to modeling and field observations by a team from [[Louisiana State University]], the [[Mississippi River – Gulf Outlet Canal|Mississippi River Gulf Outlet (MRGO)]], a 200-meter-wide (660-foot-wide) canal designed to provide a shortcut from New Orleans to the Gulf of Mexico, helped provide a funnel for the storm surge, making it 20% higher and 100%-200% faster as it crashed into the city. St. Bernard Parish, one of the more devastated areas, lies just south of the MRGO. The Corps of Engineers disputes this causality and maintains Katrina would have overwhelmed the levees with or without the contributing effect of the MRGO.<ref>Warrick, Joby; Grunwald, Michael. "[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/23/AR2005102301200_pf.html Investigators Link Levee Failures to Design Flaws]." ''Washington Post.'' October 24, 2005. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref> The water flowing west from the storm surge was perpendicular to MRGO, and thus the canal had a negligible effect.

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There was unfounded speculation made by residents concerning a possible planned levee breach. Many references are made to the 1927 flood in which a levee was breached south of New Orleans in order to divert floodwater to the Gulf of Mexico.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mvn.usace.army.mil/pao/RELEASES/02-06_1927_Flood_Anniversary2.htm |title=75th Anniversary of the Great Flood of 1927|publisher=Mvn.usace.army.mil |date= |accessdate=2011-11-03}}</ref> Recently,{{when|date=February 2012}} the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Nature Conservancy have developed a floodplain reconnection project in which the Ouachita River would be connected to its floodplain and the Gulf of Mexico.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/louisiana/press/press4039.html |title=Louisiana Nature Conservation, Environment Issues | The Nature Conservancy |publisher=Nature.org |date=2011-03-07 |accessdate=2011-11-03}}</ref> A breach in the levee{{vague|date=February 2012}} caused the water level downstream to drop six inches (152 mm) in a previous event in the early 1990s. Both cases show the many benefits of allowing the river to run its course.{{synthesis-inline|date=February 2012}}

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On April 5, 2006, months after independent investigators had demonstrated that levee failures were not caused by natural forces beyond intended design strength, Lieutenant General [[Carl Strock]], [[Chief of Engineers]] and Commander of the Corps of Engineers, testified before the United States Senate Subcommittee on Energy and Water that "We have now concluded we had problems with the design of the structure."<ref>Staff Writers "[http://web.archive.org/web/20080527010320/http://www.unregisterednews.com/content/view/184/53/ Problems with the design of levees]." ''[[Unregistered News]].'' September 29, 2005. Retrieved on 2010-04-14.</ref> He also testified that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers did not know of this mechanism of failure prior to August 29, 2005. The claim of ignorance is refuted, however, by the National Science Foundation investigators hired by the Corps of Engineers, who point to a 1986 study by the Corps itself that such separations were possible in the I-wall design.<ref>{{cite news| title = Corps chief admits to 'design failure' | author = Walsh, Bill | publisher = Times Picayune|date = April 6, 2006 | accessdate=2006-04-09 | url = http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/frontpage/index.ssf?/base/news-5/1144306231230500.xml}}</ref>

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Many of the levees have been reconstructed since the time of Katrina. In reconstructing them, precautions were taken to bring the levees up to modern building code standards and to ensure their safety. For example, in every situation possible, the Corps of Engineers replaced I-walls with T-walls. T-walls have a horizontal concrete base that protects against soil erosion underneath the floodwalls.<ref name=Walls>{{cite news | first=Matt | last=Crenson | agency=Associated Press | url=http://www.constructionequipmentguide.com/story.asp?story=6589 | title=Levee Repairs to Be Finished By First Day of Hurricane Season | date=2006-02-02 | accessdate=2008-05-12}}</ref>

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However, there are funding battles over the remaining levee improvements. In February 2008, the Bush administration requested that the state of Louisiana pay about $1.5 billion of an estimated $7.2 billion for Corps of Engineers levee work (in accordance with the principles of local cost sharing required by Congress as early as the [[Flood Control Act of 1928]]), a proposal which angered many Louisiana leaders.<ref name=funding>{{cite news | title=White House Budget for Levee Work Riles Many Louisiana Elected Officials | agency=Associated Press | first=Cain | last=Burdeau | url=http://www.cegltd.com/story.asp?story=10045 | date=2008-02-12 | accessdate=2008-05-12}}</ref>

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On May 2, 2008, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal used a speech to The National Press Club to request that President Bush free up money to complete work on Louisiana's levees. Bush promised to include the levee funding in his 2009 budget, but rejected the idea of including the funding in a war bill, which would pass sooner.<ref name=BushJindal>{{cite web | url=http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/18539869.html | title =Jindal asks Bush for levee cash | publisher=2theadvocate.com | first=Gerard | last=Shields | date=2008-05-03 | accessdate=2008-05-12}}</ref>

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===Media involvement===

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Many representatives of the [[news media]] reporting on the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina became directly involved in the unfolding events, instead of simply reporting. Because of the loss of most means of communication, such as land-based and cellular telephone systems, field reporters in many cases became conduits for information between victims and authorities.

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The authorities, who monitored local and network news broadcasts, as well as internet sites, would then attempt to coordinate rescue efforts based on the reports. One illustration was when [[Geraldo Rivera]] of [[Fox News]] tearfully pleaded for authorities to either send help or evacuate the thousands of evacuees stranded at the [[Ernest N. Morial Convention Center]].<ref>"[http://www.ifilm.com/ifilmdetail/2678976 Geraldo Rivera & Shepard Smith Unleashed]{{dead link|date=November 2011}}." — ''Video.'' 2005. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref>

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The storm also brought a dramatic rise in the role of [[Website|Internet sites]]—especially [[blogging]] and [[community journalism]]. One example was the effort of ''NOLA.com'', the web affiliate of New Orleans' ''[[The Times-Picayune|Times-Picayune]]''. A group of reporters from the paper including Doug MacCash, Manuel Torres, [[Trymaine Lee]], and Mark Schleifstein were awarded the Breaking News [[Pulitzer Prize]],<ref name="Pulitzer BN">{{cite web | author = The Pulitzer Board | title = 2006 Pulitzer Prize Winners — Breaking News Reporting | year= 2006 | accessdate = 2008-11-15 | url = http://www.pulitzer.org/citation/2006,Breaking+News+Reporting}}</ref> and the Times-Picayune shared the Public Service Pulitzer with the Biloxi-based ''[[The Sun Herald|Sun Herald]]''.<ref name="Pulitzer PS">{{cite web | author = The Pulitzer Board | title = 2006 Pulitzer Prize Winners — Public Service | year= 2006 | accessdate = 2008-11-15 | url = http://www.pulitzer.org/citation/2006,Public+Service}}</ref> The newspaper's coverage was carried for days only on NOLA's blogs, as the newspaper lost its presses and evacuated its building as water rose around it on August 30. The site became an international focal point for news by local media, and also became a vital link for rescue operations and later for reuniting scattered residents, as it accepted and posted thousands of individual pleas for rescue on its blogs and forums. NOLA was monitored constantly by an array of rescue teams—from individuals to the Coast Guard—which used information in rescue efforts. Much of this information was relayed from trapped victims via the SMS functions of their cell phones, to friends and relatives outside the area, who then relayed the information back to NOLA.com. The aggregation of community journalism, user photos and the use of the internet site as a collaborative response to the storm attracted international attention, and was called a watershed moment in journalism.<ref name="OJR NOLA">{{cite web | author = Mark Glaser | title = NOLA.com blogs and forums help save lives after Katrina | date = September 13, 2005 | publisher = Online Journalism Review | accessdate = 2006-08-02 | url = http://www.ojr.org/ojr/stories/050913glaser/}}</ref> In the wake of these online-only efforts, the Pulitzer Committee for the first time opened all its categories to online entries.<ref name="Pulitzer speech">{{cite web | author = [[Paul Steiger]] | title = Remarks at Pulitzer Prize luncheon|date = May 22, 2006 | accessdate = 2008-11-15 | publisher = The Pulitzer Board | url = http://www.pulitzer.org/2006_luncheon_steiger}}</ref>

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The role of AM radio was of importance to the hundreds of thousands of persons with no other ties to news. [[AM radio]] provided emergency information regarding access to assistance for hurricane victims. Immediately after Hurricane Katrina, radio station [[WWL-AM]] (New Orleans) was one of the few area radio stations in the area remaining on the air. The 870 kHz frequency has a [[Clear-channel stations|clear channel]] high power designation and the on-going nighttime broadcasts continued to be available up to {{convert|500|mi|km}} away. Announcers continued to broadcast from improvised studio facilities after the storm damaged their main studios.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://radio.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ&zTi=1&sdn=radio&cdn=gadgets&tm=58&f=00&su=p504.1.336.ip_&tt=2&bt=0&bts=0&st=23&zu=http%3A//www.mediaweek.com/mw/news/recent_display.jsp%3Fvnu_content_id%3D1001052023|title=Local Media Outlets Struggle to Carry On Post Katrina|date=2005-08-31|accessdate=2010-04-14|author=Katy Bachman and Tony Sanders|publisher=Billboard Radio Monitor}}</ref>

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During the period of several weeks when most area radio stations were off the air, WWL-AM's emergency coverage was simulcast on the frequencies of other area radio stations. This emergency service was named "[[United Radio Broadcasters of New Orleans|The United Radio Broadcasters of New Orleans]]." To reach emergency radio operators in storm-ravaged areas, many of whom made their volunteer services available to the Red Cross and government entities, WWL-AM was simulcast on shortwave outlet [[WHRI]], owned by World Harvest Radio International. The [[cellular phone]] antenna network was severely damaged and completely inoperable for several months.

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As the U.S. military and rescue services regained control over the city, there were restrictions on the activity of the media. On September 9, the military leader of the relief effort announced that reporters would have "zero access" to efforts to recover bodies in New Orleans. Immediately following this announcement, CNN filed a [[lawsuit]] and obtained a temporary [[restraining order]] against the ban. The next day the government backed down and reversed the ban.<ref name="Media Ban">Staff Writer. "[http://edition.cnn.com/2005/LAW/09/10/katrina.media/ U.S. won't ban media from New Orleans searches]." ''CNN.'' September 11, 2005. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref>

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===Retirement===

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Because of the large death toll and destruction of property along the [[Gulf Coast]], the name Katrina was officially retired on April 6, 2006 by the [[World Meteorological Organization]] at the request of the U.S. government. The name will never again be used for another [[North Atlantic hurricane]]. It was replaced by [[Hurricane Katia|Katia]] on List III of the [[Atlantic hurricane naming lists]], which was used in the [[2011 Atlantic hurricane season]].<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2006/s2607.htm|title = Dennis, Katrina, Rita, Stan, and Wilma "Retired" from List of Storm Names|accessdate = August 28, 2006|date = April 6, 2006|publisher = NOAA}}</ref>

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==Reconstruction==

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[[File:FEMA - 21590 - Photograph by Marvin Nauman taken on 01-21-2006 in Louisiana.jpg|thumb|Volunteers from [[AmeriCorps]] in New Orleans, January 2006]]

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Reconstruction of each section of the southern portion of Louisiana has been addressed in the Army Corps LACPR (Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration) Final Technical Report, which identifies areas to not be rebuilt and areas where buildings need to be elevated.<ref name="The LACPR Home Page">{{cite web|url=http://www.lacpr.usace.army.mil/|title=The LACPR Home Page|author=[[United States Army Corps of Engineers]]|publisher=[[United States Army]]|year=2009 |accessdate=2009-08-09}}</ref>

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The Technical Report includes:

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* locations of possible new levees to be built

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* suggested existing levee modifications

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* "Inundation Zones", "Water depths less than 14 feet, Raise-In-Place of Structures", "Water depths greater than 14 feet, Buyout of Structures", "Velocity Zones" and "Buyout of Structures" areas for five different scenarios.

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The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers submitted the report to the U.S. Congress for consideration, planning, and response in mid-2009.

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==Representation in other media==

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*Hurricane Katrina has also been the subject of several documentary films, including [[Spike Lee]]'s ''[[When the Levees Broke]]'', and [[Darren Martinez]]'s film, ''Hellp''.<ref>Britt, M. "Las Vegas Teen Helps Hurricane Victims In New Orleans", ''Las Vegas Daily Optic'', December 19, 2005,</ref>

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*An episode of the Fox TV series ''[[House (TV Series)|House]],'' first broadcast on May 16, 2006, featured a teenage victim of Hurricane Katrina in the medical storyline.

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*An [[Top Gear: US Special|episode]] of the [[BBC]] show ''[[Top Gear (2002 TV Series)|Top Gear]]'' was praised for being one of the first to show the full scale of the destruction after the waters had receded.

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*[[David Eggars]]' non-fiction book, ''[[Zeitoun]],'' featured an Arab-American family man caught in an anti-terrorist round-up as he was trying to help neighbors in the aftermath of the hurricane.

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==See also==

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* [[Hurricane Katrina and global warming]]

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* [[Hurricane Katrina in fiction]]

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* ''[[Hurricane on the Bayou]]''

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* [[List of Atlantic hurricanes]]

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* [[List of Category 5 Atlantic hurricanes]]

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* [[List of charity songs for Hurricane Katrina relief]]

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* [[List of Florida hurricanes (2000–present)]]

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* [[List of storms in the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season]]

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* [[Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries - Enforcement Division]]

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* [[Louisiana State Police]]

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* [[Timeline of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season]]

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* [[U.S. Army Corps of Engineers civil works controversies (New Orleans)]]

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* [[Wetlands of Louisiana]]

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* [[Hurricane Isaac (2012)|Hurricane Isaac]], a weaker storm that made landfall in New Orleans as a Category 1 hurricane on August 29, 2012 (on the seventh anniversary of Hurricane Katrina)

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==References==

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==Further reading==

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* {{Cite book |last=Brennan |first=Virginia |year=2009 |title=Natural Disasters and Public Health: Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma |location=Baltimore |publisher=Johns Hopkins University Press |isbn=978-0-8018-9199-1 |postscript= }}

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* {{Cite book |editor=Center for Public Integrity |year=2007 |title=City Adrift: New Orleans Before and After Katrina |location=Baton Rouge |publisher=LSU Press |isbn=978-0-8071-3284-5 |postscript= }}

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* {{Cite book |authorlink=Michael Eric Dyson |last=Dyson |first=Michael Eric |year=2006 |title=Come Hell or High Water: Hurricane Katrina and the Color of Disaster |location=New York |publisher=Perseus Books Group |isbn=0-465-01761-4 |postscript= }}.

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* {{Cite book |authorlink=Dave Eggers |last=Eggers |first=Dave |year=2009 |title=[[Zeitoun (book)|Zeitoun]] |location=San Francisco |publisher=McSweeney's Books |isbn=978-1-934781-63-0}}

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* {{Cite book |editor1-last=Hartman |editor1-first=Chester |editor2-last=Squires |editor2-first=Gregory D. |year=2006|title=There Is No Such Thing as a Natural Disaster: Race, Class, and Hurricane Katrina |location= |publisher=Routledge |isbn=0-415-95487-8 |postscript= }}.

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* {{Cite book |last=Saint-Saens |first=Alain |year=2010 |title=Ordeal at the Superdome. Escaping Katrina's Wrath |location=New Orleans |publisher=University Press of the South |isbn=1-889431-87-7 |postscript= }}.

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* {{Cite book |authorlink=Cathy Scott |last=Scott |first=Cathy |year=2008 |title=[[Pawprints of Katrina|Pawprints of Katrina: Pets Saved and Lessons Learned]] |location=Hoboken |publisher=[[Howell Book House]] |isbn=978-0-470-22851-7 |postscript= }}

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* {{Cite book |last=Spielman |first=David G. |year=2007 |title=Katrinaville Chronicles: Images and Observations from a New Orleans Photographer |location=Baton Rouge |publisher=LSU Press |isbn=978-0-8071-3252-4 |postscript= }}

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==External links==

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*[http://www.levees.org/ Levees.Org] non-profit flood protection group in New Orleans

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* National Hurricane Center's [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2005/KATRINA.shtml archive on Hurricane Katrina]

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* [[Hydrometeorological Prediction Center]]'s [http://web.archive.org/web/20080613172751/http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical2005/KATRINA/KATRINA_archive.shtml archive on Hurricane Katrina]

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* [http://www.nasa.gov/vision/earth/lookingatearth/h2005_katrina.html NASA's Hurricane Katrina Archive]

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* [http://www.hurricanekatrinanews.org/ Updated Hurricane Katrina News and Wetlands Information]

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* [http://www.lgs.lsu.edu/deploy/uploads/11strategies.pdf Geology and Hurricane-Protection Strategies in the Greater New Orleans Area] Louisiana Geological Survey publication on Hurricane Katrina

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* [http://websearch.archive.org/katrina/ Hurricane Katrina and Rita Web Archive]. This archive contains websites (news, personal, relief, and government) documenting the historic devastation and massive relief effort due to Hurricane Katrina. These sites were crawled between the dates of September 4 - November 8, 2005 and are preserved in this collection.

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Disaster recovery:

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* [http://www.katrinasangels.org/ Katrina's Angels Resource Coordination]

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* [http://www.city-journal.org/html/16_2_houston.html Houston's Noble Experiment] - An article in the ''[[City Journal (New York)|City Journal]]''

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* [http://www.dollarsandsense.org/archives/2007/0907evans.html The KatrinaRitaVille Express Tour] from [[Dollars & Sense]] magazine

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* [http://www.hopefloatsneworleans.com/ Hope Floats New Orleans - Disaster Relief - Helping Those In Need]

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* [http://www.hurricane-katrina.org/ Beyond Katrina: The Voice of Recovery est. 8/28/2005]

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Images:

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* [http://www.streetgangs.com/katrina/ Hurricane Katrina's Aftermath Photos by StreetGangs.com]

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* [http://www.photosfromkatrina.com/ Photographs and Video of Hurricane Katrina's Aftermath]

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* [http://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/goes/misc/050829/050829.html Weather satellite imagery] ([[University of Wisconsin–Madison]])

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* [http://www.davidmetraux.com/news/2006/hurricane_katrina.html Photographs of Hurricane Katrina's Aftermath]

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[[Category:Hurricane Katrina| ]]

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[[Category:Category 5 Atlantic hurricanes]]

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[[Category:Retired Atlantic hurricanes]]

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[[Category:Federal Emergency Management Agency critics]]

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[[Category:George W. Bush administration controversies]]

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[[Category:2005 Atlantic hurricane season]]

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[[Category:Urban decay in the United States]]

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[[Category:Contributing factors to urban decay]]

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[[da:Orkanen Katrina]]

Changes: Hurricane Katrina

Latest revision as of 22:35, 3 April 2016

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+#REDIRECT [[Hurricane Katrina]]
-{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2011}}
-{{pp-semi-indef}}{{pp-move-indef}}
-{{Other hurricane uses|Tropical Storm Katrina (disambiguation){{!}}Tropical Storm Katrina|the Atlantic hurricane of 2005}}
-{{Infobox Hurricane
-| Name=Hurricane Katrina
-| Type=hurricane
-| Year=2005
-| Basin=Atl
-| Image location=Hurricane Katrina August_28_2005 NASA.jpg
-| Image name=Hurricane Katrina at peak strength on August 28, 2005
-| Formed=August 23, 2005
-| Dissipated=August 30, 2005
-| 1-min winds=150
-| Pressure=902
-| Damages=108000
-| Damagespost=[[List of costliest Atlantic hurricanes|Costliest]] [[hurricane]] in US history<ref name="Dead 2011">{{cite web|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/nws-nhc-6.pdf|page=47|title=The deadliest, costliest and most intense United States tropical cyclones from 1851 to 2010 (and other frequently requested hurricane facts)|work=National Climatic Data Center, National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2011-08-10|date=2011-08-10|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration}}</ref>
-| Fatalities= 1,833 confirmed<ref name="summarysep152011">{{cite web|title=Tropical Cyclone Report - Hurricane Katrina|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/TCR-AL122005_Katrina.pdf}}</ref>
-| Areas=[[Bahamas]], [[South Florida]], [[Cuba]], [[Louisiana]] (especially [[Greater New Orleans]]), [[Mississippi]], [[Alabama]], [[Florida Panhandle]], most of eastern [[North America]]
-| Hurricane season=[[2005 Atlantic hurricane season]]
-}}
-{{Katrina}}
-'''Hurricane Katrina''' was the deadliest and most destructive [[North Atlantic tropical cyclone|Atlantic hurricane]]<!--DO NOT CHANGE--> of the [[2005 Atlantic hurricane season]]. It was the [[List of costliest Atlantic hurricanes|costliest]] natural disaster, as well as one of the five [[List of deadliest Atlantic hurricanes|deadliest]] [[tropical cyclone|hurricanes]], in the [[history of the United States]].<ref name="KatrinaTCR">{{cite web|last=Knabb|first=Richard D|coauthors=Rhome, Jamie R.; Brown, Daniel P|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/TCR-AL122005_Katrina.pdf|format=PDF|title=Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Katrina: 23–30&nbsp;August 2005|publisher=[[National Hurricane Center]]|date=December 20, 2005; updated August 10, 2006|accessdate=2006-05-30}}</ref> Among recorded [[North Atlantic tropical cyclone|Atlantic hurricane]]s, it was the [[List of the most intense tropical cyclones#North Atlantic Ocean|sixth strongest overall]]. At least 1,833&nbsp;people died in the hurricane and subsequent floods, making it the deadliest U.S. hurricane since the [[1928 Okeechobee hurricane]]; total property damage was estimated at $81&nbsp;billion (2005 USD),<ref name="KatrinaTCR"/> nearly triple the damage brought by [[Hurricane Andrew]] in 1992.<ref name="andrewtcr">{{cite web|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/1992andrew.html|title=Preliminary Report for Hurricane Andrew|accessdate=2008-04-10|last=Rappaport|first=Ed|publisher= National Hurricane Center}}</ref>
-Hurricane Katrina formed over [[the Bahamas]] on August 23, 2005 and crossed southern [[Florida]] as a moderate [[Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale#Category 1|Category&nbsp;1 hurricane]], causing some deaths and flooding there before strengthening rapidly in the [[Gulf of Mexico]]. The hurricane strengthened to a [[Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale#Category 5|Category&nbsp;5]] hurricane over the warm Gulf water, but weakened before making its second landfall as a [[Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale#Category 3|Category&nbsp;3]] hurricane on the morning of Monday, August 29 in southeast Louisiana. It caused severe destruction along the Gulf coast from central Florida to Texas, much of it due to the [[storm surge]]. The most significant [[Effects of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans|number of deaths]] occurred in [[New Orleans]], [[Louisiana]], which flooded as the [[levee]] system [[Catastrophic failure|catastrophically failed]], in many cases hours after the storm had moved inland.<ref name="TPInteractive" /> Eventually 80% of the city and large tracts of neighboring [[list of parishes of Louisiana|parishes]] became flooded, and the floodwaters lingered for weeks.<ref name="TPInteractive">{{cite web|last=Swenson|first=Dan D|coauthors=Marshall, Bob |url=http://www.nola.com/katrina/graphics/credits.swf|format=SWF|title=Flash Flood: Hurricane Katrina's Inundation of New Orleans, August&nbsp;29, 2005|publisher=[[Times-Picayune]]|date=May 14, 2005}}</ref>
-However, the worst property damage occurred in coastal areas, such as all [[Effect of Hurricane Katrina on Mississippi|Mississippi beachfront towns]], which were flooded over 90% in hours, as boats and casino barges rammed buildings, pushing cars and houses inland, with waters reaching 6–12&nbsp;miles (10–19&nbsp;km) from the beach.
-The hurricane surge protection failures in New Orleans are considered the worst civil engineering disaster in U.S. history<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lasce.org/documents/RaySeedsLetter.pdf |title=Letter from Ray Seed, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering to the President, American Society of Civil Engineers|format=PDF |date= |accessdate=2011-11-03}}</ref> and prompted a lawsuit against the [[U.S. Army Corps of Engineers]] (USACE), the designers and builders of the levee system as mandated by the [[Flood Control Act of 1965]]. Responsibility for the failures and flooding was laid squarely on the Army Corps in January 2008 by Judge [[Stanwood Duval]], U.S. District Court,<ref>{{cite news|last=Nossiter |first=Adam |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/01/us/01corps.html?_r=2&ref=us |title=In Court Ruling on Floods, More Pain for New Orleans |location=New Orleans (La) |publisher=New York Times|date=2008-02-01 |accessdate=2011-11-03}}</ref> but the federal agency could not be held financially liable due to [[sovereign immunity]] in the [[Flood Control Act of 1928]]. There was also an investigation of the responses from federal, state and local governments, resulting in the resignation of [[Federal Emergency Management Agency]] (FEMA) director [[Michael D. Brown]], and of [[New Orleans Police Department]] (NOPD) Superintendent [[Eddie Compass]].
-Several agencies including the [[United States Coast Guard]] (USCG), [[National Hurricane Center]] (NHC), and [[National Weather Service]] (NWS) were commended for their actions. They provided accurate hurricane weather tracking forecasts with sufficient lead time.<ref name="CongressInvestigation"/>  Unfortunately, even the most insistent appeals from national, state and local public officials to residents to evacuate before the storm did not warn that the levees could breach and fail.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sandy-rosenthal/katrina-levees-warning_b_1001777.html | work=Huffington Post | first=Sandy | last=Rosenthal | title=Insistent Appeals to Evacuate Did Not Warn That the Levees Could Break | date=October 11, 2011}}</ref>
-==Meteorological history==
-{{Main|Meteorological history of Hurricane Katrina}}
-{{storm path|Katrina 2005 track.png}}
-Hurricane Katrina formed as Tropical Depression Twelve over the southeastern Bahamas on August 23, 2005 as the result of an interaction of a [[tropical wave]] and the remains of [[Tropical Depression Ten (2005)|Tropical Depression Ten]]. The system was upgraded to [[Tropical low|tropical storm status]] on the morning of August 24 and at this point, the storm was given the name ''Katrina.'' The tropical storm continued to move towards Florida, and became a hurricane only two hours before it made [[landfall (meteorology)|landfall]] between [[Hallandale Beach, Florida|Hallandale Beach]] and [[Aventura, Florida|Aventura]] on the morning of August 25. The storm weakened over land, but it regained hurricane status about one hour after entering the Gulf of Mexico.<ref name="KatrinaTCR" />
-[[File:Hurricane Katrina August 25 2005.jpg|thumb|left|150 px|Katrina near [[Florida]] landfall.]]
-The storm [[rapid deepening|rapidly intensified]] after entering the Gulf, growing from a Category&nbsp;3 hurricane to a Category&nbsp;5 hurricane in just nine hours. This rapid growth was due to the storm's movement over the "unusually warm" [[sea surface temperature|waters]] of the [[Loop Current]], which increased wind speeds.<ref>{{cite web|author=Leben, Robert; Born, George; Scott, Jim|url=http://www.colorado.edu/news/releases/2005/358.html|title=CU-Boulder Researchers Chart Katrina's Growth In Gulf Of Mexico|publisher=''[[University of Colorado at Boulder]]''|date=September 15, 2005|accessdate=2011-05-20|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20090301014255/http://www.colorado.edu/news/releases/2005/358.html|archivedate=March 1, 2009}}</ref> On Saturday, August 27, the storm reached Category&nbsp;3 intensity on the [[Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale]], becoming the third [[Tropical cyclone scales#Atlantic and East Pacific|major hurricane]] of the season. An [[eyewall replacement cycle]] disrupted the intensification, but caused the storm to nearly double in size. Katrina again rapidly intensified, attaining Category&nbsp;5 status on the morning of August 28 and reached its peak strength at 1800 UTC that day, with maximum sustained winds of 175&nbsp;mph (280&nbsp;km/h) and a minimum central [[atmospheric pressure|pressure]] of {{convert|902|mbar|inHg|abbr=on|lk=on}}. The pressure measurement made Katrina the fourth most intense Atlantic hurricane on record at the time, only to be surpassed by Hurricanes [[Hurricane Rita|Rita]] and [[Hurricane Wilma|Wilma]] later in the season; it was also the strongest hurricane ever recorded in the [[Gulf of Mexico]] at the time. However, this record was later broken by Hurricane Rita.<ref name="KatrinaTCR"/>
-[[File:NOAA-Hurricane-Katrina-Aug28-05-2145UTC.jpg|thumb|right|Katrina on August 28, nearing the [[Gulf Coast]].]]
-Katrina made its second landfall at 1110 UTC (6:10&nbsp;a.m. CDT) on Monday, August 29 as a Category&nbsp;3 hurricane with sustained winds of 125&nbsp;mph (205&nbsp;km/h) near [[Buras-Triumph, Louisiana]]. At landfall, hurricane-force winds extended outward 120&nbsp;miles (190&nbsp;km) from the center and the storm's central pressure was {{convert|920|mbar|inHg|abbr=on}}. After moving over southeastern Louisiana and [[Breton Sound]], it made its third landfall near the Louisiana/Mississippi border with 120&nbsp;mph (195&nbsp;km/h) sustained winds, still at Category&nbsp;3 intensity. Katrina maintained strength well into Mississippi, finally losing hurricane strength more than 150&nbsp;miles (240&nbsp;km) inland near [[Meridian, Mississippi]]. It was downgraded to a tropical depression near [[Clarksville, Tennessee]], but its remnants were last distinguishable in the eastern [[Great Lakes]] region on August 31, when it was absorbed by a [[Surface weather analysis#Cold front|frontal boundary]]. The resulting [[extratropical]] storm moved rapidly to the northeast and affected eastern Canada.<ref name="KatrinaTCR"/>
-==Preparations==
-{{Main|Preparations for Hurricane Katrina}}
-===Federal government===
-[[File:BUSHLA.jpg|thumb|Flanked by [[Michael Chertoff]], [[Secretary of Homeland Security]], left, and [[Secretary of Defense]] [[Donald Rumsfeld]], President [[George W. Bush]] meets with members of the [[White House]] Task Force on Hurricane Katrina Recovery on August 31, 2005, in the Cabinet Room of the White House.]]
-On the morning of Friday, August 26, at 10&nbsp;am [[Central Daylight Time|CDT]] (1500&nbsp;[[UTC]]), Katrina had strengthened to a Category&nbsp;3 storm in the Gulf of Mexico. Later that afternoon, the NHC realized that Katrina had yet to make the turn toward the Florida Panhandle and ended up revising the predicted track of the storm from the panhandle to the Mississippi coast.<ref>Spann, James. [http://www.jamesspann.com/bmachine/calendar/wxtalk/26,08,2005 "Models Shifting West," "NHC Shifting Track To MS Coast" and "Late Katrina Thoughts" from the ABC33/40 Weather Blog] August 26, 2005. Retrieved July 23, 2006.</ref><ref name="NHC disc 014">{{cite web | author = Stewart, Stacy | publisher = National Hurricane Center | title = Hurricane Katrina Discussion No. 14, 5:00&nbsp;pm EDT | date = August 26, 2005 | accessdate = 2006-09-16|url = http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2005/dis/al122005.discus.014.shtml?}}</ref> The NHC issued a hurricane watch for southeastern Louisiana, including the New Orleans area at 10&nbsp;am CDT Saturday, August 27. That afternoon the NHC extended the watch to cover the Mississippi and Alabama coastlines as well as the Louisiana coast to [[Intracoastal City, Louisiana|Intracoastal City]].
-The [[United States Coast Guard]] began prepositioning resources in a ring around the expected impact zone and activated more than 400&nbsp;reservists. On August 27, it moved its personnel out of the New Orleans region prior to the mandatory evacuation.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Hurricane Katrina: How the Coast Guard Got it Right|author=Amanda Ripley|date=2005-10-23|journal=[[Time Magazine]]|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1122007-2,00.html}}</ref> Aircrews from the Aviation Training Center, in Mobile, staged rescue aircraft from Texas to Florida.<ref name="CG leadership">{{cite web | author = Bruce Jones and David Callahan | title = Leadership Talent Emerges During Hurricane Katrina Aviation Rescue Operations | url = http://www.uscg.mil/hr/cg133/news/archive/fall05.pdf | publisher = United States Coast Guard | accessdate = 2010-04-14}}</ref> All aircraft were returning towards the Gulf of Mexico by the afternoon of August 29. Air [[crew]]s, many of whom lost their homes during the hurricane, began a round-the-clock rescue effort in New Orleans, and along the Mississippi and Alabama coastlines.<ref name="WP Coast Guard">{{cite news | url = http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/05/AR2005090501418.html | title = Coast Guard's Response to Katrina a Silver Lining in the Storm | author = Stephen Barr|date = September 6, 2005 | accessdate = 2006-08-29 | publisher = Washington Post}}</ref>
-[[President of the United States]] [[George W. Bush]] declared a state of emergency in selected regions of Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi on Saturday, the 27th, two days before the hurricane made landfall.<ref>Bush, George W. "[http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2005/08/20050827-1.html Statement on Federal Emergency Assistance for Louisiana]." ''[[White House]].'' August 27, 2005. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref> That same evening, the NHC upgraded the storm alert status from hurricane watch to hurricane warning over the stretch of coastline between [[Morgan City, Louisiana]] to the Alabama-Florida border, 12&nbsp;hours after the watch alert had been issued, and also issued a tropical storm warning for the westernmost Florida Panhandle.<ref name="KatrinaTCR"/>
-During video conferences involving the president on August 28 and 29, the director of the National Hurricane Center, [[Max Mayfield]], expressed concern that Katrina might push its storm surge over the city's levees and flood walls. In one conference, he stated, "I do not think anyone can tell you with confidence right now whether the levees will be topped or not, but that's obviously a very, very great concern."<ref name="Levee Breach Warning">{{cite news | url = http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/03/02/fema.tapes/index.html | title = Transcripts, tape show Bush, Brown warned on Katrina | date= March 2, 2006 | accessdate = 2007-04-22 | publisher = CNN.com}}</ref>
-On Sunday, August 28, as the sheer size of Katrina became clear, the NHC extended the tropical storm warning zone to cover most of the Louisiana coastline and a larger portion of the [[Florida Panhandle]]. The National Weather Service's New Orleans/Baton Rouge office issued a [[National Weather Service bulletin for New Orleans region|vividly worded bulletin]] predicting that the area would be "uninhabitable for weeks" after "devastating damage" caused by Katrina, which at that time rivaled the intensity of [[Hurricane Camille]].<ref>[http://www.srh.noaa.gov/data/warn_archive/LIX/NPW/0828_214001.txt "NWS bulletin"]{{dead link|date=November 2011}}. ''[[National Weather Service]]/New Orleans, Louisiana.'' August 28, 2005. Retrieved on 2007-07-30.</ref> "On Sunday, August 28, President Bush spoke with Governor Blanco to encourage her to order a mandatory evacuation of New Orleans." (Per page 235 of Special Report of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gpoaccess.gov/serialset/creports/katrinanation.html |title=Congressional Reports: S. Rpt. 109-322 - Hurricane Katrina: A Nation Still Unprepared |publisher=Gpoaccess.gov |date= |accessdate=2008-10-27}}</ref>
-Voluntary and mandatory evacuations were issued for large areas of southeast Louisiana as well as coastal Mississippi and Alabama. About 1.2&nbsp;million residents of the Gulf Coast were covered under a voluntary or mandatory evacuation order.<ref name="KatrinaTCR"/>
-====Investigation of State of Emergency declaration====
-In a September 26, 2005 hearing, former FEMA chief [[Michael D. Brown|Michael Brown]] testified before a U.S. House subcommittee about FEMA's response. During that hearing, Representative [[Stephen Buyer]] (R-IN) inquired as to why President Bush's declaration of state of emergency of August 27 had not included the coastal parishes of Orleans, Jefferson, and Plaquemines.<ref name="Brown testimony">{{cite news | url = http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/27/national/nationalspecial/27text-brown.html?ei=5070&en=eda6637e28de37c1&ex=1188792000&pagewanted=all | title = Former FEMA Director Testifies Before Congress | date= 2005-09-27 | accessdate = 2007-09-01 | publisher = nytimes.com}}</ref> (In fact, the declaration did not include ''any'' of Louisiana's coastal parishes, whereas the coastal counties were included in the declarations for Mississippi<ref>Bush, George W. "[http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2005/08/20050828.html Statement on Federal Emergency Assistance for Mississippi]." ''White House.'' August 28, 2005. Retrieved on 2006-09-01.</ref> and Alabama.<ref>Bush, George W. "[http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2005/08/20050828-3.html Statement on Federal Emergency Assistance for Alabama]." ''White House.'' August 28, 2005. Retrieved on 2006-09-01.</ref>) Brown testified that this was because Louisiana [[Kathleen Blanco|Governor Blanco]] had not included those parishes in her initial request for aid, a decision that he found "shocking." After the hearing, Blanco released a copy of her letter, which showed she had requested assistance for "all the southeastern parishes including the City of New Orleans" as well specifically naming 14 parishes including Jefferson, Orleans and Plaquemines.<ref>{{cite web|author=[[Kathleen Blanco]]|url=http://jjic.gov.state.la.us/Disaster%20Relief%20Request.pdf|title=Governor Blanco asks President to Declare an Emergency for the State of Louisiana due to Hurricane Katrina|date=2005-08-28|accessdate=2010-04-14|publisher=Government of the State of Louisiana}}</ref>
-===Gulf Coast===
-[[File:Hurricane Katrina LA landfall radar.gif|thumb|Radar image of Hurricane Katrina approaching landfall in Louisiana]]
-On August 26, the state of Mississippi activated its [[United States National Guard|National Guard]] in preparation for the storm's landfall. Additionally, the state government activated its Emergency Operations Center the next day, and local governments began issuing evacuation orders. By 6:00&nbsp;pm [[Central Time Zone (North America)|CDT]] on August 28, 11 counties and eleven cities issued evacuation orders, a number which increased to 41 counties and 61 cities by the following morning. Moreover, 57 emergency shelters were established on coastal communities, with 31 additional shelters available to open if needed.<ref name="CongressInvestigation">{{cite book|author=[[United States Congress]]|date=February 19, 2006|title=A Failure of Initiative: Final Report of the Select Bipartisan Committee to Investigate the Preparation for and Response to Hurricane Katrina|publisher=[[Government Printing Office]]|location=[[Washington, DC]]|format=PDF|accessdate=2011-05-20|url=http://www.gpoaccess.gov/katrinareport/fullreport.pdf|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20090326065222/http://www.gpoaccess.gov/katrinareport/fullreport.pdf|archivedate=Marcj 26, 2009}}</ref>
-Louisiana's hurricane evacuation plan calls for local governments in areas along and near the coast to evacuate in three phases, starting with the immediate coast 50&nbsp;hours before the start of tropical storm force winds. Persons in areas designated Phase II begin evacuating 40&nbsp;hours before the onset of tropical storm winds and those in Phase III areas (including New Orleans) evacuate 30&nbsp;hours before the start of such winds.<ref>{{cite web|author=Louisiana Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness|title=Louisiana Citizen Awareness and Disaster Evacuation Guide|accessdate=2006-07-20|url=http://www.ohsep.louisiana.gov/evacinfo/stateevacrtes.htm}}</ref>
-Many private caregiving facilities that relied on bus companies and ambulance services for evacuation were unable to evacuate their charges because they waited too long. Louisiana's Emergency Operations Plan Supplement 1C(Part II, section II paragraph D) calls for use of school and other public buses in evacuations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://biotech.law.lsu.edu/blaw/DOD/manual/full%20text%20documents/State%20Authorities/La.%20EOP_Supplement1c.pdf|title=State Of Louisiana Emergency Operations Plan Supplement 1C|date=July 2000|accessdate=2011-05-20|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20060909235959/http://biotech.law.lsu.edu/blaw/DOD/manual/full%20text%20documents/State%20Authorities/La.%20EOP_Supplement1c.pdf|archivedate=September 9, 2006}}</ref> Although buses that later flooded were available to transport those dependent upon public transportation, not enough bus drivers were available to drive them as Governor Blanco did not sign an emergency waiver to allow any licensed driver to transport evacuees on school buses.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vtpi.org/katrina.pdf|author=Todd Litman|publisher=Victoria Transport Policy Institute|date=April 13, 2006|accessdate=2011-05-20|title=Lessons From Katrina and Rita: What Major Disasters Can Teach Transportation Planners|page=5|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20090325121112/http://vtpi.org/katrina.pdf|archivedate=March 25, 2009}}</ref> However, 20 year old [[Jabbar Gibson]] armed with only a standard operator's permit took it upon himself to take a school bus and drive it to Houston with 50 to 70 evacuees.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/topstory2/3334317|author=Salatheia Bryant and Cynthia Leonor Garza|title=School bus comandeered by renegade refugees first to arrive at Astrodome|accessdate=2010-08-25|publisher=[[Houston Chronicle]]|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20060715050700/http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/topstory2/3334317.html|archivedate=July 15, 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=fj5dInclgw0C&pg=PA594&lpg=PA594&dq=rental+cars+in+short+supply+before+Katrina&q=rental+cars+in+short+supply+before+Katrina.#v=snippet&q=rental%20cars%20in%20short%20supply%20before%20Katrina.&f=false|page=594|author=Lundy, Kay; Lundy, Karen; Janes, Sharyn|title=Community Health Nursing: Caring for the Public's Health|year=2009|accessdate=2011-05-20|isbn=978-0-7637-1786-5|publisher=Jones & Bartlett Learning}}</ref> Some estimates claimed that 80% of the 1.3&nbsp;million residents of the greater New Orleans metropolitan area evacuated, leaving behind substantially fewer people than remained in the city during the [[Hurricane Ivan]] evacuation.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0508/29/asb.01.html|title=Hurricane Katrina Pummels Three States|last=Brown|first=Aaron|date=August 29, 2005|publisher=CNN|accessdate=2011-05-20}}</ref>
-By Sunday, August 28, most infrastructure along the Gulf Coast had been shut down, including all freight and [[Amtrak]] rail traffic into the evacuation areas as well as the [[Waterford Nuclear Generating Station]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/am2Copy/Simple_Copy_Popup&c=am2Copy&cid=1093554014709|title=Service Alert: Hurricane Katrina Update - City of New Orleans, Crescent, Sunset Limited - Revised Service Information|date=September 1, 2005|publisher=[[Amtrak]]|accessdate=2011-05-20|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080922031250/http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/am2Copy/Simple_Copy_Popup&c=am2Copy&cid=1093554014709|archivedate=September 22, 2008}}</ref> The NHC maintained the coastal warnings until late on August 29, by which time Hurricane Katrina was over central Mississippi.<ref name="KatrinaTCR"/>
-===City of New Orleans===
-{{See also|Hurricane preparedness for New Orleans}}
-[[File:New Orleans Elevations.jpg|thumb|300px|Vertical cross-section of New Orleans, showing maximum levee height of 23&nbsp;feet (7&nbsp;m). Vertical scale exaggerated.]]
-By August 26, the possibility of unprecedented cataclysm was already being considered. Many of the computer models had shifted the potential path of Katrina {{convert|150|mi|km|-1}} westward from the Florida Panhandle, putting the city of New Orleans directly in the center of their track probabilities; the chances of a direct hit were forecast at 17%, with strike probability rising to 29% by August 28.<ref>"[http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2005/prb/al122005.prblty.015.shtml Hurricane Katrina Probabilities Report Number 15]," and "[http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2005/prb/al122005.prblty.021.shtml Hurricane Katrina Probabilities Report Number 21]." ''National Hurricane Center.'' August 26, 2005. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref> This scenario was considered a potential catastrophe because some parts of New Orleans and the metro area are below sea level. Since the storm surge produced by the hurricane's right-front quadrant (containing the strongest winds) was forecast to be 28&nbsp;feet (8.5&nbsp;m), emergency management officials in New Orleans feared that the storm surge could go over the tops of levees protecting the city, causing major flooding.<ref>Drye, Willie. "[http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/08/0829_050829_hurricane.html Hurricane Katrina Pulls Its Punches in New Orleans]." ''[[National Geographic (magazine)|National Geographic]].'' August 29, 2005. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref>
-At a news conference at 10&nbsp;am on August 28, shortly after Katrina was upgraded to a Category&nbsp;5 storm, New Orleans mayor [[Ray Nagin]] ordered the first-ever [[emergency evacuation|mandatory evacuation]] of the city, calling Katrina "a storm that most of us have long feared."<ref>Staff Writer. "[http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,167270,00.html Katrina Heads for New Orleans]{{dead link|date=June 2012}}." ''[[Fox News]]/[[Associated Press]].'' August 29, 2005. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref> The city government also established several "refuges of last resort" for citizens who could not leave the city, including the massive [[Louisiana Superdome]], which sheltered approximately 26,000&nbsp;people and provided them with food and water for several days as the storm came ashore.<ref>Staff Writer."[http://www.nola.com/newslogs/breakingtp/index.ssf?/mtlogs/nola_Times-Picayune/archives/2005_08_28.html#074657 26,000 shelter at Superdome]." ''Times-Picayune.'' August 28, 2005. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref><ref>''Diary From the Dome'' is a 2008 memoir written by a tourist who was stuck inside the Superdome during Katrina and the levee failures. It offers an overview of the conditions inside the stadium as well as a critique of the media's coverage of the disaster.</ref>
-===Florida===
-Many people living in the South Florida area were unaware when Katrina strengthened from a tropical storm to a hurricane in one day and struck southern Florida near the [[Miami-Dade County, Florida|Miami-Dade]]&nbsp;– [[Broward County, Florida|Broward]] county line. The hurricane struck between the cities of [[Aventura, Florida|Aventura]], in Miami-Dade County, and [[Hallandale, Florida|Hallandale]], in Broward County, on Thursday, August 25, 2005. However, National Hurricane Center (NHC) forecasts had correctly predicted that Katrina would intensify to hurricane strength before landfall, and [[tropical cyclone warnings and watches|hurricane watches and warnings]] were issued 31.5&nbsp;hours and 19.5&nbsp;hours before landfall, respectively&nbsp;— only slightly less than the target thresholds of 36 and 24&nbsp;hours.<ref name="KatrinaTCR"/>
-Florida Governor [[Jeb Bush]] declared a [[state of emergency]] on August 24 in advance of Hurricane Katrina's landfall in Florida. Shelters were opened and schools closed in several counties in the southern part of the state. A number of evacuation orders were also issued, mostly voluntary, although a mandatory evacuation was ordered for vulnerable housing in [[Martin County, Florida|Martin County]].<ref name="Florida-preps">Staff writer. "[http://floridadisaster.org/eoc/eoc_activations/katrina05/reports/Sitrep_Katrina_082605_3.pdf Hurricane Katrina Situation Report No. 3]." ''Florida State Emergency Response Team.'' August 26, 2005. Retrieved 2006-06-06.</ref>
-==Impact==
-{{Main|Hurricane Katrina effects by region}}
-[[File:Hurricane Katrina (short film by NASA).ogv|thumb|thumbtime=28|left|''In Katrina's Wake'' - short film by [[NASA]]]]
-{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; margin:0 1em 0.5em;"
-|+ Deaths by state
-|-
-| [[Alabama]] || 2
-|-
-| [[Florida]] || 14
-|-
-| [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]] || 2
-|-
-| [[Kentucky]] || 1
-|-
-| [[Louisiana]] || 1,577*
-|-
-| [[Mississippi]] || 238
-|-
-| [[Ohio]] || 2
-|-
-! Total !! 1,836
-|-
-| Missing || 135<ref name="louisiana1">"[http://www.dhh.louisiana.gov/offices/page.asp?ID=192&Detail=5248 Reports of Missing and Deceased]." ''Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals.'' August 2, 2006. Retrieved on 2010-04-14.</ref>
-|-
-|colspan=2 | <small>*Includes out-of-state evacuees <br />counted by Louisiana</small>
-|}
-On August 29, Katrina's [[storm surge]] caused 53 different levee breaches in greater New Orleans, submerging eighty percent of the city. A June 2007 report by the [[American Society of Civil Engineers]] indicated that two-thirds of the flooding were caused by the multiple failures of the city's floodwalls.<ref name="ASCE HKERP report">{{cite web|url=http://www.asce.org/files/pdf/ERPreport.pdf |title=The New Orleans Hurricane Protection System: What Went Wrong and Why|author=Andersen, Christine F. et al.|year=2007|publisher=[[American Society of Civil Engineers]] Hurricane Katrina External Review Panel|accessdate=2008-08-27|format=PDF |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20080624204644/http://www.asce.org/files/pdf/ERPreport.pdf |archivedate = 2008-06-24}}</ref> Not mentioned were the flood gates that were not closed.{{Citation needed|date=August 2012}} The storm surge also devastated the coasts of Mississippi and Alabama, making Katrina the most destructive and costliest [[natural disaster]] in the history of the United States, and the deadliest hurricane since the 1928 Okeechobee Hurricane. The total damage from Katrina is estimated at $81.2&nbsp;billion (2005 [[U.S. dollars]]), nearly double the cost of the previously most expensive storm, [[Hurricane Andrew]], when adjusted for inflation.<ref name="KatrinaTCR"/><ref name="katreport">{{cite web|author=[[United States Department of Commerce]] | title=Hurricane Katrina Service Assessment Report | month=June | year=2006 | accessdate=2006-07-14 | format = PDF | url=http://www.weather.gov/om/assessments/pdfs/Katrina.pdf}}</ref>
-The confirmed death toll (total of direct and indirect deaths) is 1,836, mainly from Louisiana (1,577) and Mississippi (238).<ref name="louisiana1"/><ref name="MWR 2005AHS">{{cite journal | author = Beven II, John L., Lixion A Avila, Eric S. Blake, Daniel P. Brown, James L. Franklin, Richard D. Knabb, Richard J. Pasch, Famie R. Rhome, and Stacy R. Stewart | month=March | year=2008 | title=Annual Summary: Atlantic Hurricane Season of 2005 | journal=[[Monthly Weather Review]] | publisher=[[American Meteorological Society]] | volume=136 | issue=3 | pages=1131–1141 | accessdate=2008-09-08 | url = http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/general/lib/lib1/nhclib/mwreviews/2005.pdf | format = PDF | doi = 10.1175/2007MWR2074.1 |bibcode = 2008MWRv..136.1109B }}</ref> However, 135&nbsp;people remain categorized as missing in Louisiana,<ref name="louisiana1"/> and many of the deaths are indirect, but it is almost impossible to determine the exact cause of some of the fatalities.
-[[Federal government of the United States|Federal]] disaster declarations covered 90,000&nbsp;square miles (233,000&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>) of the United States, an area almost as large as the [[Geography of the United Kingdom|United Kingdom]]. The hurricane left an estimated three million people without electricity. On September 3, 2005, [[Homeland Security]] Secretary [[Michael Chertoff]] described the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina as "probably the worst catastrophe, or set of catastrophes," in the country's history, referring to the hurricane itself plus the flooding of New Orleans.<ref>"[http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0509/03/cst.04.html The Aftermath of Katrina: Transcript of CNN Live Saturday]." ''CNN.'' September 3, 2005. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref>
-Even in 2010, debris remained in some coastal communities.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thesunnews.com/2010/06/27/1555968/spill-colors-fabric-of-gulf-coastal.html|title=Spill colors fabric of Gulf coastal life|last=Clark|first=Lesley|work=[[The Sun News]]|date=2010-06-27|accessdate=2010-07-01}}</ref>
-===South Florida and Cuba===
-[[File:Hurricane damage to mobile home in Davie Florida.jpg|thumb|Damage to a mobile home in [[Davie, Florida]] following Hurricane Katrina]]
-{{Main|Effects of Hurricane Katrina in Florida}}
-Hurricane Katrina first made landfall on August 25, 2005 in [[South Florida]] where it hit as a Category&nbsp;1 hurricane, with 80&nbsp;mph (130&nbsp;km/h) winds. Rainfall was heavy in places and exceeded 14&nbsp;inches (350&nbsp;mm) in [[Homestead, Florida]],<ref name="KatrinaTCR"/> and a storm surge of 3&nbsp;– {{convert|5|ft|m}} was measured in parts of [[Monroe County, Florida|Monroe County]].<ref name="katreport"/> More than 1&nbsp;million customers were left without [[electricity]], and damage in Florida was estimated from $1&nbsp;– $2&nbsp;billion, with most of the damage coming from flooding and overturned trees. There were 14 fatalities reported in Florida as a result of Hurricane Katrina.<ref name="KatrinaTCR"/>
-Most of the [[Florida Keys]] experienced tropical-storm force winds from Katrina as the storm's center passed to the north, with hurricane force winds reported in the [[Dry Tortugas]]. Rainfall was also high in the islands, with 10&nbsp;inches (250&nbsp;mm) falling on [[Key West, Florida|Key West]]. On August 26, a strong [[Fujita scale|F1]] [[tornado]] formed from an outer rain band of Katrina and struck [[Marathon, Florida|Marathon]]. The tornado damaged a hangar at the airport there and caused an estimated $5&nbsp;million in damage.<ref name="Marathon Tornado">Devenas, Andy "[http://web.archive.org/web/20060624012057/http://www.srh.noaa.gov/key/HTML/Marathon_Report.pdf Marathon Tornado Survey Report]." ''[[National Weather Service]] Forecast Office [[Key West, Florida]]'' Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref>
-Although Hurricane Katrina stayed well to the north of [[Cuba]], on August 29 it brought tropical-storm force winds and rainfall of over 8&nbsp;inches (200&nbsp;mm) to western regions of the island. Telephone and power lines were damaged and around 8,000&nbsp;people were evacuated in the [[Pinar del Río Province]]. According to Cuban television reports the coastal city of Surgidero de Batabano was 90% underwater.<ref name="Cuba damage">Staff Writer. "[http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/2005/08/29/batters.shtml Hurricane Katrina batters western Cuba]{{dead link|date=November 2011}}."</ref>
-===Louisiana===
-[[File:PostVeniceLG.jpg|thumb|Flooding in [[Venice, Louisiana]]]]
-On August 29, Hurricane Katrina made landfall near [[Buras-Triumph, Louisiana]] with 125&nbsp;mph (205&nbsp;km/h) winds, as a strong Category&nbsp;3 storm. However, as it had only just weakened from Category&nbsp;4 strength and the radius of maximum winds was large, it is possible that sustained winds of Category&nbsp;4 strength briefly impacted extreme southeastern Louisiana. Although the storm surge to the east of the path of the eye in Mississippi was higher, a very significant surge affected the Louisiana coast. The height of the surge is uncertain because of a lack of data, although a tide gauge in [[Plaquemines Parish]] indicated a storm tide in excess of 14&nbsp;feet (4.3&nbsp;m) and a 12-foot (3&nbsp;m) storm surge was recorded in [[Grand Isle, Louisiana|Grand Isle]]. Hurricane Katrina made final landfall near the mouth of the [[Pearl River (Mississippi–Louisiana)|Pearl River]], with the eye straddling [[St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana]] and Hancock County, Mississippi, on the morning of August 29 at about 9:45M CST.<ref name="KatrinaTCR"/>
-Hurricane Katrina also brought heavy rain to Louisiana, with 8&nbsp;– 10&nbsp;inches (200&nbsp;– 250&nbsp;mm) falling on a wide swath of the eastern part of the state. In the area around [[Slidell, Louisiana|Slidell]], the rainfall was even higher, and the highest rainfall recorded in the state was approximately 15&nbsp;inches (380&nbsp;mm). As a result of the rainfall and storm surge the level of [[Lake Pontchartrain]] rose and caused significant flooding along its northeastern shore, affecting communities from Slidell to [[Mandeville, Louisiana|Mandeville]]. Several bridges were destroyed, including the [[I-10 Twin Span Bridge]] connecting Slidell to New Orleans.<ref name="KatrinaTCR"/> Almost 900,000&nbsp;people in Louisiana lost power as a result of Hurricane Katrina.<ref name="Power failures">Staff Writer. "[http://www.oe.netl.doe.gov/docs/katrina/katrina_083005_1600.pdf Hurricane Katrina Situation Report#11]." ''Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability (OE) [[United States Department of Energy]].'' August 30, 2005. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref>
-Katrina’s storm surge inundated all parishes surrounding Lake Pontchartrain, including [[St. Tammany]], Tangipahoa, [[St. John the Baptist]] and [[St. Charles Parish, Louisiana|St. Charles]] Parishes. St. Tammany Parish received a two-part storm surge.  The first surge came as Lake Pontchartrain rose and the storm blew water from the Gulf of Mexico into the lake. The second came as the eye of Katrina passed, westerly winds pushed water into a bottleneck at the Rigolets Pass, forcing it farther inland. The range of surge levels in eastern St. Tammany Parish is estimated at 13 to {{convert|16|ft|m}}, not including wave action.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fema.gov/pdf/hazard/flood/recoverydata/katrina/katrina_la_overview-n.pdf |title=FEMA: Louisiana Katrina Surge Inundation Map, January 2006 |format=PDF |date= |accessdate=2011-11-03}}</ref>
-Hard-hit [[St. Bernard Parish]] was flooded due to breaching of the levees that contained a navigation channel called the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet (MR-GO) and the breach of the Levee Board designed and built 40 Arpent canal levee. The search for the missing was undertaken by the St. Bernard Fire Department due to the assets of the [[United States Coast Guard]] being diverted to New Orleans. Many of the missing in the months after the storm were tracked down by searching flooded homes, tracking credit card records, and visiting homes of family and relatives.<ref>Cannizaro, Steve. "[http://web.archive.org/web/20060827225149/http://www.sbpg.net/cannizaro121705a.html List of Missing Residents Down to 47, and More...]" ''St. Bernard Parish Government (press release).'' December 17, 2005. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref>
-[[File:Katrina 2nd landfall.jpg|thumb|upright|Hurricane Katrina making landfall in [[New Orleans|New Orleans, Louisiana]].]]
-According to the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development, in St. Bernard Parish, 81% (20,229) of the housing units were damaged. In St. Tammany Parish, 70% (48,792) were damaged and in Placquemines Parish 80% (7,212) were damaged.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/GulfCoast_HousingDamageEstimates_021206.pdf |title=Current Housing Unit Damage Estimates, Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma|publisher=U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development|format=PDF |date=February 12, 2006 |accessdate=2011-11-03}}{{dead link|date=June 2012}}</ref>
-In addition, the combined effect of Hurricanes Katrina and [[Hurricane Rita|Rita]] was the destruction of an estimated {{convert|562|km2|sqmi}} of coastal wetlands in Louisiana.<ref>Rosenzweig, C., G. Casassa, D.J. Karoly, A. Imeson, C. Liu, A. Menzel, S. Rawlins, T.L. Root, B. Seguin, P. Tryjanowski. (2007). "Assessment of observed changes and responses in natural and managed systems. Climate Change 2007: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability". Chapter 1 in ''Contribution of Working Group II to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change'', (M.L. Parry, O.F. Canziani, J.P. Palutikof, P.J. van der Linden and C.E. Hanson, Eds.), Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK. (url : http://www.ipcc.ch/pdf/assessment-report/ar4/wg2/ar4-wg2-chapter1.pdf). Pp 92. Accessed 19 December 2011.
-</ref>
-====New Orleans====
-{{Main|Effects of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans|2005 levee failures in Greater New Orleans}}
-[[File:KatrinaNewOrleansFlooded edit2.jpg|thumb|upright|Flooded I-10/I-610/West End Blvd [[interchange (road)|interchange]] and surrounding area of northwest New Orleans and Metairie, Louisiana]]
-As the eye of Hurricane Katrina swept to the northeast, it subjected the city to hurricane conditions for hours. Although power failures prevented accurate measurement of wind speeds in New Orleans, there were a few measurements of hurricane-force winds. From this the NHC concluded that it is likely that much of the city experienced sustained winds of Category&nbsp;1 or Category&nbsp;2 strength.
-Katrina's storm surge led to 53 levee breaches in the [[Flood Control Act of 1965|federally built levee system]] protecting metro New Orleans and the failure of the 40 Arpent Canal levee. Nearly every levee in metro New Orleans was breached as Hurricane Katrina passed just east of the city limits. Failures occurred in New Orleans and surrounding communities, especially St. Bernard Parish. The [[Mississippi River Gulf Outlet]] (MR-GO) breached its levees in approximately 20 places, flooding much of east New Orleans, most of [[Saint Bernard Parish, Louisiana|Saint Bernard Parish]] and the East Bank of [[Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana|Plaquemines Parish]]. The major levee breaches in the city included breaches at the [[17th Street Canal]] levee, the [[London Avenue Canal]], and the wide, navigable [[Industrial Canal]], which left approximately 80% of the city flooded.<ref>Murphy, Verity. "[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4307972.stm Fixing New Orleans' thin grey line]." ''[[BBC News]].'' October 4, 2005. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref>
-Most of the major roads traveling into and out of the city were damaged. The only routes out of the city were the westbound [[Crescent City Connection]] and the Huey P. Long Bridge, as large portions of the I-10 Twin Span Bridge traveling eastbound towards Slidell, Louisiana had collapsed. Both the [[Lake Pontchartrain Causeway]] and the Crescent City Connection only carried emergency traffic.<ref>Gordon, Meghan. "[http://www.nola.com/newslogs/breakingtp/index.ssf?/mtlogs/nola_Times-Picayune/archives/2005_08_31.html#075566 Causeway closed but hardly damaged]." ''Times Picayune.'' August 31, 2005. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref>
-On August 29, at 7:40&nbsp;am CDT, it was reported that most of the windows on the north side of the [[Hyatt Regency New Orleans]] had been blown out, and many other high rise buildings had extensive window damage.<ref>Transcript from, ''[[The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer]].'' "[http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/weather/july-dec05/katrina_8-29.html Hurricane Damages Gulf Coast]." ''[[Public Broadcasting Service|PBS]].'' August 29, 2005. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref> The [[Hyatt]] was the most severely damaged hotel in the city, with beds reported to be flying out of the windows. Insulation tubes were exposed as the hotel's glass exterior was completely sheared off.<ref>Mowbray, Rebecca. "[http://www.nola.com/hurricane/t-p/katrina.ssf?/hurricane/katrina/stories/083005_a15_hotels.html Evacuations to hotels come with own set of hazards]." ''Times-Picayune.'' August 30, 2005. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref>
-[[File:New Orleans Survivor Flyover.jpg|thumb|A U.S. Coast Guardsman searches for survivors in New Orleans in the aftermath of Katrina]]
-The Superdome, which was sheltering many people who had not evacuated, sustained significant damage.<ref name="Gibson">[http://www.americanheritage.com/articles/magazine/ah/2006/4/2006_4_26.shtml Christine Gibson]{{dead link|date=November 2011}} "Our 10 Greatest Natural Disasters," ''American Heritage'', Aug./Sept. 2006.</ref> Two sections of the Superdome's roof were compromised and the dome's waterproof membrane had essentially been peeled off. [[Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport]] was closed before the storm but did not flood. On August 30, it was reopened to humanitarian and rescue operations. Limited commercial passenger service resumed at the airport on September 13 and regular carrier operations resumed in early October.<ref name="New Orleans Airport">{{cite web|author=Staff Writer|url=http://www.flymsy.com/Katrinastory.htm |title=[[Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport]]|date=2006-05-28|accessdate=2006-06-05 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20060312180732/http://www.flymsy.com/Katrinastory.htm |archivedate = 2006-03-12}}</ref>
-Levee breaches in New Orleans also caused a significant amount of deaths, with over 700 bodies recovered in New Orleans by October 23, 2005.<ref>Warner, Coleman; Travis, Robert. "[http://web.archive.org/web/20051027003351/http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/frontpage/index.ssf?/base/news-4/113005097377980.xml Where They Died]." ''Times-Picayune.'' October 23, 2005. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref> Some survivors and evacuees reported seeing dead bodies lying in city streets and floating in still-flooded sections, especially in the east of the city. The advanced state of decomposition of many corpses, some of which were left in the water or sun for days before being collected, hindered efforts by coroners to identify many of the dead.<ref>O'Neill, Ann. "[http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/09/09/katrina.morgue/index.html Identifying victims a grueling task]." ''CNN.'' September 9, 2005. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref>
-The first deaths reported from the city were reported shortly before midnight on August 28, as three [[nursing home]] patients died during an evacuation to [[Baton Rouge, Louisiana|Baton Rouge]], most likely from dehydration. While there were also early reports of fatalities amid mayhem at the Superdome, only six deaths were confirmed there, with four of these originating from [[natural causes]], one from a [[drug overdose]], and one a [[suicide]]. At the Convention Center, four bodies were recovered. One of the four is believed to be the result of a homicide.<ref name="thevenot">Thevenot, Brian; Russell, Gordon. "[http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2002520986_katmyth26.html Reports of anarchy at Superdome overstated]." ''Seattle Times.'' September 26, 2005. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref>
-There is evidence that many prisoners were abandoned in their cells during the storm, while the guards sought shelter. Hundreds of prisoners were later registered as "unaccounted for".<ref>[http://www.alternet.org/story/26073/left_to_die_in_a_new_orleans_prison Left to Die in a New Orleans Prison], ''Democracy Now/AlterNet'', 27 Sept 2005. Retrieved 28 Nov 2012.</ref><ref>[http://thesocietypages.org/socimages/2011/08/27/imprisoned-disaster-political-will-and-hurricane-katrina/ The Fate of Prisoners during Hurricane Katrina], ''The Society Pages'', 27 Aug 2011. Retrieved 28 Nov 2012.</ref><ref>[http://revcom.us/a/064/nolaprison-en.html Doing “Katrina Time”—Torture in New Orleans Prisons], ''Revolution Newspaper'', 8 Oct 2006. Retrieved 28 Nov 2012.</ref><ref>[http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/oct2005/katr-o01.shtml New Orleans prisoners left to drown after Katrina struck], ''World Socialist Web Site'', 1 Oct 2005. Retrieved 28 Nov 2012.</ref><ref>[http://www.aclu.org/files/pdfs/prison/oppreport20060809.pdf Abandoned & Abused: Report on the effects of Hurricane Katrina on New Orleans Prisons (PDF)] ([http://www.aclu.org/prisoners-rights/abandoned-and-abused]), ''American Civil Liberties Union'', 9 Aug 2006. Retrieved 28 Nov 2012.</ref>
-===Mississippi===
-{{Main|Effects of Hurricane Katrina in Mississippi}}
-[[File:Structural Bridge Damage.jpg|thumb|[[U.S. Route 90|U.S. Route 90's]] Bay St. Louis Bridge on Pass Christian was destroyed as a result of Katrina.]]
-The Gulf coast of Mississippi suffered massive damage from the impact of Hurricane Katrina on August 29, leaving 238&nbsp;people dead, 67&nbsp;missing, and billions of dollars in damage: bridges, barges, boats, piers, houses and cars were washed inland.<ref name=HBrecov>{{cite web | title =Information Relating to the Federal Appropriations for Katrina Recovery|date = January 6, 2006 | accessdate = 2006-09-27 | author = Haley Babour | publisher = Office of the Governor, Mississippi | url = http://www.governorbarbour.com/Recovery/news/2006/jan/information.html}}</ref>
-Katrina traveled up the entire state, and afterwards, all 82 counties in Mississippi were declared disaster areas for federal assistance, 47 for full assistance.<ref name=HBrecov/>
-After making a brief initial landfall in Louisiana, Katrina had made its final landfall near the state line, and the eyewall passed over the cities of Bay St. Louis and Waveland as a Category&nbsp;3 hurricane with sustained winds of 120&nbsp;mph (195&nbsp;km/h).<ref name="KatrinaTCR"/> Katrina's powerful right-front quadrant passed over the west and central Mississippi coast, causing a powerful 27-foot (8.2&nbsp;m) storm surge, which penetrated 6&nbsp;miles (10&nbsp;km) inland in many areas and up to 12&nbsp;miles (20&nbsp;km) inland along bays and rivers; in some areas, the surge crossed [[Interstate 10]] for several miles.<ref name="KatrinaTCR"/> Hurricane Katrina brought strong winds to Mississippi, which caused significant tree damage throughout the state. The highest unofficial reported wind gust recorded from Katrina was one of 135&nbsp;mph (217&nbsp;km/h) in [[Poplarville, Mississippi|Poplarville]], in [[Pearl River County, Mississippi|Pearl River County]].<ref name="KatrinaTCR"/>
-[[File:Hurricane katrina damage gulfport mississippi.jpg|thumb|left|Damage to [[Long Beach, Mississippi]] following Hurricane Katrina]]
-The storm also brought heavy rains with 8&nbsp;– 10&nbsp;inches (200&nbsp;– 250&nbsp;mm) falling in southwestern Mississippi and rain in excess of 4&nbsp;inches (100&nbsp;mm) falling throughout the majority of the state. Katrina caused eleven tornadoes in Mississippi on August 29, some of which damaged trees and power lines.<ref name="KatrinaTCR"/>
-Battered by wind, rain and storm surge, some beachfront neighborhoods were completely leveled. Preliminary estimates by Mississippi officials calculated that 90% of the structures within half a mile of the coastline were completely destroyed,<ref name="CBS Miss">Staff Writer. "[http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/09/01/katrina/main810916.shtml Mississippi Coast Areas Wiped Out]." ''[[CBS News]].'' September 1, 2005. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref> and that storm surges traveled as much as six&nbsp;miles (10&nbsp;km) inland in portions of the state's coast.<ref name="katreport"/> One apartment complex with approximately thirty residents seeking shelter inside collapsed. More than half of the 13 casinos in the state, which were floated on barges to comply with Mississippi land-based gambling laws, were washed hundreds of yards inland by waves.<ref name="CBS Miss"/> [[File:Katrina Mississippi Ronald McDonaldSurgeScape.png|thumb|left|Storm surge damage along Highway 90 on the [[Mississippi]] Gulf Coast (early September 2005).]]
-A number of streets and bridges were washed away. On [[U.S. Highway 90]] along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, two major bridges were completely destroyed: the Bay St. Louis&nbsp;— Pass Christian<ref name="KatrinaTCR"/> bridge, and the Biloxi - [[Ocean Springs, Mississippi|Ocean Springs]] bridge. In addition, the eastbound span of the I-10 bridge over the [[Pascagoula River]] estuary was damaged. In the weeks after the storm, with the connectivity of the coastal U.S. Highway 90 shattered, traffic traveling parallel to the coast was reduced first to State Road 11 (parallel to I-10) then to two lanes on the remaining I-10 span when it was opened.
-[[File:Pascagoula destroyed condos from Katrina.jpg|thumb|Surge damage in [[Pascagoula, Mississippi]]]]
-All three coastal counties of the state were severely affected by the storm. Katrina's surge was the most extensive, as well as the highest, in the documented history of the United States; large portions of both [[Hancock County, Mississippi|Hancock]], [[Harrison County, Mississippi|Harrison]], and [[Jackson County, Mississippi|Jackson]] Counties were inundated by the storm surge, in all three cases affecting most of the populated areas.<ref>{{cite web|author=[[Federal Emergency Management Agency]] | title = Mississippi Hurricane Katrina Surge Inundation and Advisory Base Flood Elevation Map Panel Overview | month= November | year= 2005 | accessdate = 2006-07-16 | format = PDF | publisher = FEMA|url = http://www.fema.gov/pdf/hazard/flood/recoverydata/katrina/ms_overview.pdf}}</ref> Surge covered almost the entire lower half of Hancock County, destroying the coastal communities of [[Clermont Harbor, Mississippi|Clermont Harbor]] and Waveland, much of Bay St. Louis, and flowed up the Jourdan River, flooding Diamondhead and [[Kiln, Mississippi|Kiln]]. In Harrison County, [[Pass Christian]] was completely inundated, along with a narrow strip of land to the east along the coast, which includes the cities of Long Beach and Gulfport; the flooding was more extensive in communities such as D'Iberville, which borders Back Bay. [[Biloxi]], on a peninsula between the Back Bay and the coast, was particularly hard hit, especially the low-lying Point Cadet area. In Jackson County, storm surge flowed up the wide river [[estuary]], with the combined surge and freshwater flooding cutting the county in half. Remarkably, over 90% of Pascagoula, the easternmost coastal city in Mississippi, and about {{convert|75|mi|km|0}} east of Katrina's landfall near the Louisiana-Mississippi border, was flooded from surge at the height of the storm. Other large Jackson County neighborhoods such as Porteaux Bay and Gulf Hills were severely damaged with large portions being completely destroyed, and [[St. Martin, Mississippi|St. Martin]] was hard hit; Ocean Springs, [[Moss Point, Mississippi|Moss Point]], Gautier, and [[Escatawpa]] also suffered major surge damage.
-Mississippi Emergency Management Agency officials also recorded deaths in [[Forrest County, Mississippi|Forrest]], [[Hinds County, Mississippi|Hinds]], [[Warren County, Mississippi|Warren]], and [[Leake County, Mississippi|Leake]] counties. Over 900,000&nbsp;people throughout the state experienced power outages.<ref name="Power failures"/>
-===Southeast United States===
-[[File:KatrinaMobileCourthouseSteps.jpg|thumb|Flood waters come up the steps of [[Mobile, Alabama|Mobile's]] federal courthouse.]]
-Although Hurricane Katrina made landfall well to the west, Alabama and the Florida Panhandle were both affected by tropical-storm force winds and a storm surge varying from 12 to 16&nbsp;feet (3–5&nbsp;m) around [[Mobile Bay]],<ref name=KatrinaTCR/> with higher waves on top. Sustained winds of 67&nbsp;mph (107&nbsp;km/h) were recorded in [[Mobile, Alabama]], and the storm surge there was approximately 12&nbsp;feet (3.7&nbsp;m).<ref name="KatrinaTCR"/> The surge caused significant flooding several miles inland along Mobile Bay. Four tornadoes were also reported in Alabama.<ref name=KatrinaTCR/> Ships, oil rigs, boats and fishing [[pier]]s were washed ashore along Mobile Bay: the cargo ship M/V ''Caribbean Clipper'' and many fishing boats were grounded at [[Bayou La Batre]].
-An [[Oil platform|oil rig]] under construction along the [[Mobile River]] broke its moorings and floated 1.5&nbsp;miles (2&nbsp;km) northwards before striking the Cochrane Bridge just outside Mobile. No significant damage resulted to the bridge and it was soon reopened. The damage on [[Dauphin Island]] was severe, with the surge destroying many houses and cutting a new canal through the western portion of the island. An offshore oil rig also became grounded on the island. As in Mississippi, the storm surge caused significant beach erosion along the Alabama coastline.<ref name="KatrinaTCR"/> More than 600,000&nbsp;people lost power in Alabama as a result of Hurricane Katrina and two people died in a traffic accident in the state. Residents in some areas, such as Selma, were without power for several days.<ref name="Power failures"/>
-[[File:Katrina Bayou La Batre 2005 boats ashore.jpg|thumb|[[Bayou La Batre]]: cargo ship and fishing boats were grounded]]
-Along the Florida Panhandle the storm surge was typically about five&nbsp;feet (1.5&nbsp;m) and along the west-central Florida coast there was a minor surge of 1&nbsp;– 2&nbsp;feet (0.3&nbsp;– 0.6&nbsp;m). In [[Pensacola, Florida]] 56&nbsp;mph (90&nbsp;km/h) winds were recorded on August 29. The winds caused damage to some trees and structures and there was some minor flooding in the Panhandle. There were two indirect fatalities from Katrina in [[Walton County, Florida|Walton County]] as a result of a traffic accident.<ref name="KatrinaTCR"/> In the Florida Panhandle, 77,000 customers lost power.<ref>Associated Press, "Katrina at a Glance" (August 31, 2005), page 4A, ''Mobile Register'', web: [http://www.al.com/mobileregister/pdf/register083105a.pdf MobileRegister-083105-PDF].</ref>
-Northern and central [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]] were affected by heavy rains and strong winds from Hurricane Katrina as the storm moved inland, with more than 3&nbsp;inches (75&nbsp;mm) of rain falling in several areas. At least 18 tornadoes formed in Georgia on August 29, the most on record in that state for one day in August. The most serious of these tornadoes was an F2 tornado which affected [[Heard County, Georgia|Heard County]] and [[Carroll County, Georgia|Carroll County]]. This tornado caused 3 injuries and one fatality and damaged several houses. In addition this tornado destroyed several poultry barns, killing over 140,000 chicks. The other tornadoes caused significant damages to buildings and agricultural facilities. In addition to the fatality caused by the F2 tornado, there was another fatality in a traffic accident.<ref>Westbrook, Robby; WFO Peachtree City Staff. "[http://web.archive.org/web/20080605060853/http://www.srh.noaa.gov/ffc/html/katrina05.shtml Katrina Spawns Tornadoes in Georgia - August 29, 2005]." ''[[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]].'' December 1, 2005. Retrieved on 2010-04-14.</ref>
-===Other U.S. States and Canada===
-[[File:Katrina2005filledrainblk.GIF|thumb|right|Total rainfall from Katrina in the United States. Data for the [[New Orleans]] area is not available.]]
-Hurricane Katrina weakened as it moved inland, but tropical-storm force gusts were recorded as far north as [[Fort Campbell, Kentucky]] on August 30, and the winds damaged trees in [[New York]]. The remnants of the storm brought high levels of rainfall to a wide swath of the [[eastern United States]], and rain in excess of 2&nbsp;inches (50&nbsp;mm) fell in parts of 20 states.<ref name="HPCrainfall">Staff Writer. "[http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/discussions/tcpat2.html Tropical Summary Message]." ''The Hydrometeorological Prediction Center.'' August 31, 2005. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref> A number of tornadoes associated with Katrina formed on August 30 and August 31, which caused minor damages in several regions. In total, 62&nbsp;tornadoes formed in eight&nbsp;states as a result of Katrina.<ref name="katreport"/>
-Eastern [[Arkansas]] received light rain from the passage of Katrina.<ref name="rain">{{cite web|author=|year=2005|title=Hurricane Katrina Rainfall Summary|publisher=[[Hydrometeorological Prediction Center]]|accessdate=2006-11-04|url=http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/katrina2005.html}}</ref> Gusty winds downed some trees and power lines, though damage was minimal.<ref name="ncdcark">{{cite web|author=NCDC|year=2005|title=Event Report for Arkansas|accessdate=2006-11-04|url=http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~571417}}{{dead link|date=June 2012}}</ref> In [[Kentucky]], a storm that had moved through the weekend before had already produced flooding and the rainfall from Katrina added to this. As a result of the flooding, [[Governor of Kentucky|Kentucky Governor]] [[Ernie Fletcher]] declared three counties disaster areas and a statewide state of emergency.<ref>Staff Writer. "[http://web.archive.org/web/20060523081840/www.wkyt.com/Global/story.asp?S=3782559 Gov. Fletcher Declares Three Kentucky Counties Disaster Areas]." ''[[WKYT]].'' Accessed on April 18, 2006. Retrieved on 2010-04-14.</ref><ref>Blanton, Carla; Goins, Michael; Whitaker, Jodi. "[http://web.archive.org/web/20070903093942/http://kentucky.gov/Newsroom/governor/050830stateofemerg.htm Governor Fletcher declares state of emergency in Kentucky]." ''Commonwealth of Kentucky'' (Press Release). August 30, 2005. Retrieved on 2010-04-14.</ref> One person was killed in [[Hopkinsville, Kentucky]] and part of a high school collapsed.<ref>Staff Writer. "[http://www.wave3.com/Global/story.asp?S=3782760 Hopkinsville Swamped By Floodwaters; 10-Year-Old Drowns]." ''[[WAVE (TV)]].'' September 6, 2005. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref> Flooding also prompted a number of evacuations in [[West Virginia]] and [[Ohio]], the rainfall in Ohio leading to two indirect deaths. Katrina also caused a number of power outages in many areas, with over 100,000 customers affected in [[Tennessee]], primarily in the [[Memphis, Tennessee|Memphis]] and [[Nashville, Tennessee|Nashville]] areas.<ref>"[http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~600800 Hurricane Katrina: Event Record Details]{{dead link|date=June 2012}}." ''Satellite and Information Service; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.'' Accessed May 30, 2006. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref>
-The remnants of Katrina were absorbed by a new cyclone to its east across [[Pennsylvania]]. This second cyclone continued north and affected [[Canada]] on August 31. In [[Ontario]] there were a few isolated reports of rain in excess of 100&nbsp;mm (4&nbsp;inches) and there were a few reports of damage from fallen trees.<ref>Perreault, Bob. "[http://web.archive.org/web/20050907131339/http://www.cfra.com/headlines/index.asp?cat=1&nid=31504 Brockville May Have Set Rain Record]." ''[[CFRA (AM)]].'' September 1, 2005. Retrieved on 2010-04-14.</ref> Flooding also occurred in both Ontario and [[Quebec]], cutting off a number of isolated villages in Quebec, particularly in the [[Côte-Nord]] region.<ref>Staff Writer. "[http://web.archive.org/web/20070527140750/http://www.recorder.ca/cp/National/050901/n0901137A.html Remnants of Hurricane Katrina washes out roads in Quebec's north shore]." ''[[Canadian Press]].'' September 1, 2005. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref>
-==Aftermath==
-{{See also|Social effects of Hurricane Katrina|Political effects of Hurricane Katrina|Hurricane Katrina disaster relief|IDPs in the United States}}
-===Economic effects===
-{| style="float: right; margin:10px"
-|-
-| {{Costliest U.S. Atlantic hurricanes}}
-|}
-{{Main|Economic effects of Hurricane Katrina}}
-The economic effects of the storm were far-reaching. The Bush Administration sought $105&nbsp;billion for repairs and reconstruction in the region,<ref>St. Onge, Jeff; Epstein, Victor. "[http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2006/04/01/ex_chief_says_fema_readiness_even_worse/ Ex-chief says FEMA readiness even worse]." ''Boston.com.'' April 1, 2006. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref> which did not account for damage to the economy caused by potential interruption of the [[petroleum|oil]] supply, destruction of the Gulf Coast's highway infrastructure, and exports of commodities such as grain. Katrina damaged or destroyed 30&nbsp;[[oil platform]]s and caused the closure of nine [[oil refinery|refineries]];<ref name="katreport"/> the total shut-in oil production from the Gulf of Mexico in the six-month period following Katrina was approximately 24% of the annual production and the shut-in gas production for the same period was about 18%.<ref>Fagot, Caryl; Winbush, Debra. "[http://www.mms.gov/ooc/press/2006/press0222.htm Hurricane Katrina/Hurricane Rita Evacuation and Production Shut-in Statistics Report as of Wednesday, February 22, 2006]." ''[http://www.mms.gov/ U.S. Government Minerals Management Service].'' February 22, 2006. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref> The forestry industry in Mississippi was also affected, as 1.3&nbsp;million acres (5,300&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>) of forest lands were destroyed.<ref name="CRS environment">{{cite web | last = Sheikh
-| first = Pervaze A. | date = October 18, 2005 | url = http://assets.opencrs.com/rpts/RL33117_20051018.pdf | title = The Impact of Hurricane Katrina on Biological Resources|format = PDF | publisher = [[Congressional Research Service]]| accessdate = 2010-04-14 |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080624185025/assets.opencrs.com/rpts/RL33117_20051018.pdf |archivedate=June 24, 2008}}</ref> The total loss to the forestry industry from Katrina is calculated to rise to about $5&nbsp;billion.<ref name="CRS environment"/> Furthermore, hundreds of thousands of local residents were left unemployed, which will have a [[trickle-down effect]] as fewer taxes are paid to local governments. Before the hurricane, the region supported approximately one million non-farm jobs, with 600,000 of them in New Orleans. It is estimated that the total economic impact in Louisiana and Mississippi may exceed $150&nbsp;billion.<ref>Burton, Mark L.; Hicks, Michael J. "[http://www.marshall.edu/cber/research/katrina/Katrina-Estimates.pdf Hurricane Katrina: Preliminary Estimates of Commercial and Public Sector Damages]." ''[[Marshall University]]: Center for Business and Economic Research.'' September 2005. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref>
-Katrina redistributed over one million people from the central Gulf coast elsewhere across the United States, which became the largest [[diaspora]] in the history of the United States.<ref>Anthony E. Ladd, John Marszalek, and Duane A. Gill. [http://web.archive.org/web/20080624185024/http://www.ssrc.msstate.edu/katrina/publications/katrinastudentsummary.pdf The Other Dispora: New Orleans Student Evacuation Impacts and Responses Surrounding Hurricane Katrina.] Retrieved on 2010-04-14.</ref> [[Houston, Texas]], had an increase of 35,000&nbsp;people; [[Mobile, Alabama]], gained over 24,000; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, over 15,000; and [[Hammond, Louisiana]] received over 10,000, nearly doubling its size. [[Chicago]] received over 6,000&nbsp;people, the most of any non-southern city.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://chicagodefender.com/page/local.cfm?ArticleID=6776 | title = Katrina evacuees at home in Chicago | author = Mema Ayi | publisher = [[Chicago Defender]] | date = August 30, 2006 | accessdate = 2010-04-14 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20071212040739/http://chicagodefender.com/page/local.cfm?ArticleID=6776 |archivedate = 2007-12-12}}</ref> By late January 2006, about 200,000&nbsp;people were once again living in New Orleans, less than half of the pre-storm population.<ref name="popestimate">{{cite web | author=Greg Stone, Tim Grant, and Nathaniel Weaver | year = 2006 | title = Rapid Population Estimate Project: January&nbsp;28&nbsp;– 29, 2006 Survey Report | publisher = Emergency Operations Center, City of New Orleans | format = PDF|accessdate = 2010-04-14 |url=http://katrina.lsu.edu/downloads/research/NOLAPopEstimate.pdf}}</ref> By July 1, 2006, when new population estimates were calculated by the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the state of Louisiana showed a population decline of 219,563, or 4.87%.<ref name="popdecline">Christie, Les. "[http://money.cnn.com/2006/12/22/real_estate/fastest_growing_states/index.htm?postversion=2006122209 Growth states: Arizona overtakes Nevada: Texas adds most people overall; Louisiana population declines nearly 5%]." ''CNN.'' December 22, 2006. Retrieved on December 22, 2006.</ref> Additionally, some [[Insurance|insurance companies]] have stopped insuring homeowners in the area because of the high costs from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, or have raised homeowners' insurance premiums to cover their risk.<ref>Staff Writer. "[http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/05/28/eveningnews/main1663142.shtml More Bad News Blows In From Katrina]." ''CBS News.'' May 28, 2006. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref>
-===Environmental effects===
-{{See also|Murphy Oil USA refinery spill}}
-[[File:Chandeleur L5 Oct2004Sep2005.jpg|thumb|The [[Chandeleur Islands]], before Katrina (left) and after (right), showing the impact of the storm along coastal areas.]]
-Katrina also had a profound impact on the environment. The storm surge caused substantial [[Coastal erosion|beach erosion]], in some cases completely devastating coastal areas. In Dauphin Island, approximately 90&nbsp;miles (150&nbsp;km) to the east of the point where the hurricane made landfall, the sand that comprised the [[barrier island]] was transported across the island into the [[Mississippi Sound]], pushing the island towards land.<ref>{{cite web | author = [[United States Geological Survey]] | date = September 14, 2005 | url = http://coastal.er.usgs.gov/hurricanes/katrina/lidar/dauphin-island.html | title = Daupin Island&nbsp;— Pre- and Post-Storm 3D Topography | work = Hurricane Katrina Impact Studies | publisher = [[USGS]] | accessdate = 2006-06-05}}</ref> The storm surge and waves from Katrina also obliterated the [[Chandeleur Islands]], which had been affected by Hurricane Ivan the previous year.<ref>{{cite web |author=United States Geological Survey |date=September 14, 2005 |url=http://coastal.er.usgs.gov/hurricanes/katrina/photo-comparisons/chandeleur.html | title = Before and After Photo Comparisons: Chandeleur Islands | work = Hurricane Katrina Impact Studies|publisher = USGS | accessdate = 2006-06-05}}</ref> The US Geological Survey has estimated {{convert|217|sqmi|km2}} of land was transformed to water by the hurricanes Katrina and Rita.<ref>[http://www.nwrc.usgs.gov/releases/pr06_002.htm "USGS Reports Latest Land Change Estimates for Louisiana Coast", USGS National Wetlands Research Center, Oct 3, 2006], accessed May 7, 2008</ref>
-The lands that were lost were breeding grounds for marine mammals, brown [[pelican]]s, [[turtle]]s, and [[fish]], as well as migratory species such as [[redhead duck]]s.<ref name="CRS environment"/> Overall, about 20% of the local [[marsh]]es were permanently overrun by water as a result of the storm.<ref name="CRS environment"/>
-The damage from Katrina forced the closure of 16 [[National Wildlife Refuge]]s. Breton National Wildlife Refuge lost half its area in the storm.<ref name="FWS impact">{{cite web | author = [[United States Fish and Wildlife Service]] | date = September 9, 2005 | url = http://www.fws.gov/southeast/news/2005/r05-088.html | title = U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Conducting Initial Damage Assessments to Wildlife and National Wildlife Refuges | publisher = [[U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service|USFWS]]|accessdate = 2006-06-05}}</ref> As a result, the hurricane affected the habitats of [[sea turtle]]s, Mississippi [[sandhill crane]]s, [[Red-cockaded woodpecker]]s and [[Alabama Beach Mouse|Alabama Beach mice]].<ref name="FWS impact"/>
-{{clear right}}
-{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:92%; float:right; margin-top:0; margin-left:10px; margin-right:0;"
-|-
-! colspan=3 style="background:#ccf;" | '''Large oil spills caused by Hurricane Katrina'''<br><small>Spills exceeding {{convert|10000|USgal|L|lk=on}}</small><ref name="msnbcspills"/>
-|-
-! rowspan = 2 | Spill Location
-! colspan = 2 | Quantity
-|-
-! <small>(US gal)</small> !! <small>(L)</small>
-|-
-| Bass Enterprises (Cox Bay) || style="text-align:right;"| 3,780,000 || style="text-align:right;"| {{convert|3780000|USgal|L|disp=output number only}}
-|-
-| Shell ([[Pilottown, Louisiana|Pilot Town]])|| style="text-align:right;"| 1,050,000 || style="text-align:right;"| {{convert|1050000|USgal|L|disp=output number only}}
-|-
-| Chevron ([[Empire, Louisiana|Empire]])|| style="text-align:right;"| 991,000 || style="text-align:right;"| {{convert|991000|USgal|L|disp=output number only}}
-|-
-| Murphy Oil ([[Meraux, Louisiana|Meraux]] and [[Chalmette, Louisiana|Chalmette]])|| style="text-align:right;"| 819,000 || style="text-align:right;"| {{convert|819000|USgal|L|disp=output number only}}
-|-
-| Bass Enterprises ([[Pointe à la Hache, Louisiana|Pointe à la Hache]])|| style="text-align:right;"| 461,000 || style="text-align:right;"| {{convert|461000|USgal|L|disp=output number only}}
-|-
-| Chevron ([[Port Fourchon, Louisiana|Port Fourchon]])|| style="text-align:right;"| 53,000 || style="text-align:right;"| {{convert|53000|USgal|L|disp=output number only}}
-|-
-| Venice Energy Services ([[Venice, Louisiana|Venice]])|| style="text-align:right;"| 25,000 || style="text-align:right;"|{{convert|25000|USgal|L|disp=output number only}}
-|-
-| Shell Pipeline Oil (Nairn)|| style="text-align:right;"| 13,440 || style="text-align:right;"| {{convert|13440|USgal|L|disp=output number only}}
-|-
-| Sundown Energy (West Potash)|| style="text-align:right;"| 13,000 || style="text-align:right;"| {{convert|13000|USgal|L|disp=output number only}}
-|}
-The storm caused [[oil spill]]s from 44 facilities throughout southeastern Louisiana, which resulted in over 7&nbsp;million U.S. gallons (26&nbsp;million L) of [[oil]] being leaked. Some spills were as small as a few hundred gallons; the largest are tabulated to the right. While most of the spills were contained on-site, some oil entered the ecosystem, and the town of [[Meraux, Louisiana|Meraux]] was flooded with a blend of water and oil.<ref name="msnbcspills">{{cite news | author=Miguel Llanos | title=44 oil spills found in southeast Louisiana | work=MSNBC | url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9365607/ | publisher = MSNBC | date=September 19, 2005 | accessdate = 2006-06-15}}</ref> Unlike [[Hurricane Ivan]] no offshore oil spills were officially reported after Hurricane Katrina. However, Skytruth reported some signs of surface oil in the Gulf of Mexico.<ref name="msnbcspills"/>
-Finally, as part of the cleanup effort, the flood waters that covered New Orleans were pumped into Lake Pontchartrain, a process that took 43&nbsp;days to complete.<ref name="katreport"/> These residual waters contained a mix of raw [[sewage]], [[bacteria]], [[heavy metals]], [[pesticide]]s, toxic chemicals, and [[oil]], which sparked fears in the scientific community of massive numbers of fish dying.<ref name="CRS environment"/>
-Prior to the storm, [[subsidence]] and [[erosion]] caused erosion in the Louisiana wetlands and [[bayou]]s. This, along with the canals built in the area, allowed for Katrina to maintain more of its intensity when it struck.<ref>{{cite book|page=22|author=Mike Tidwell|title=The Ravaging Tide: Strange Weather, Future Katrinas, and the Coming Death of America's Coastal Cities|publisher=Free Press|year=2006|isbn=0-7432-9470-X|accessdate=2010-04-14|url=http://books.google.com/?id=NqfVpDFUDk4C&printsec=frontcover&dq=The+Ravaging+Tide:+Strange+Weather,+Future+Katrinas,+and+the+Coming+Death+of+America%27s+Coastal+Cities+book&q=The%20Ravaging%20Tide%3A%20Strange%20Weather%2C%20Future%20Katrinas%2C%20and%20the%20Coming%20Death%20of%20America%27s%20Coastal%20Cities%20book}}</ref>
-===Looting and violence===
-{{further2|[[Effects of Hurricane Katrina on New Orleans#Civil disturbances|Effects of Hurricane Katrina on New Orleans]]}}
-[[File:USBP-SRT-New Orleans.jpg|thumb|A [[United States Border Patrol|Border Patrol]] Special Response Team searches a hotel room-by-room in New Orleans in response to Hurricane Katrina.]]
-Shortly after the hurricane moved away on August 30, 2005, some residents of New Orleans who remained in the city began [[looting]] stores. Many were in search of food and water that were not available to them through any other means, as well as non-essential items.<ref>[[KLRT-TV|KLRT]] FOX 16, "[http://community.fox16.com/photos/story_in_pictures--_hurricane_katrina/picture807981.aspx Photos : Story in Pictures-- Hurricane Katrina : Aug 31: Looting in Mississippi]." ''[[FOX16 Nowcaster Community]]'' ([[Little Rock, Arkansas]]). August 31, 2005. Retrieved on 2006-09-11.</ref>
-Reports of [[carjacking]], [[murder]]s, [[theft]]s, and [[rape]]s in New Orleans flooded the news. Some sources later determined that many of the reports were inaccurate, because of the confusion.<ref>{{cite news
-| last = Rosenblatt
-| first = Sarah
-| coauthors = James Rainey
-| title = Rita's Aftermath; Katrina Takes a Toll on Truth, News Accuracy
-| work = Main News; Part A; National Desk
-| page = A16
-| publisher = [[Los Angeles Times]]
-| date = 2005-09-27
-| url = http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-na-rumors27sep27,0,5536446.story?track=hpmostemailedlink
-| archiveurl = http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/902682211.html?dids=902682211:902682211&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Sep+27%2C+2005&author=Susannah+Rosenblatt+and+James+Rainey&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&edition=&startpage=A.16&desc=RITA%27S+AFTERMATH%3B+Katrina+Takes+a+Toll+on+Truth%2C+News+Accuracy%3B+Rumors+supplanted+accurate+information+and+media+magnified+the+problem.+Rapes%2C+violence+and+estimates+of+the+dead+were+wrong.
-| archivedate = 2005-10-04
-}}</ref> Thousands of National Guard and federal troops were mobilized (the total went from 7,841 in the area the day Katrina hit to a maximum of 46,838 on September 10) and sent to Louisiana along with numbers of local law enforcement agents from across the country who were temporarily deputized by the state. "They have [[M16 rifle|M16s]] and are locked and loaded. These troops know how to shoot and kill and I expect they will," Louisiana Governor [[Kathleen Blanco]] said. Congressman [[Bill Jefferson]] (D-LA) told [[ABC News]]: "There was shooting going on. There was sniping going on. Over the first week of September, law and order were gradually restored to the city."<ref>Tapper, Jake. "[http://www.abcnews.go.com/US/HurricaneKatrina/story?id=1123495&page=1 Amid Katrina Chaos, Congressman Used National Guard to Visit Home]." ''[[ABC News]].'' September 13, 2005. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref> Several shootings occurred between police and New Orleans residents, some involving [[police misconduct]]; including [[Danziger Bridge shootings|a fatal incident]] at [[Danziger Bridge]].<ref>Staff Writer. "[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9208195/ Police kill at least 5 in New Orleans]." ''[[MSNBC]].'' September 4, 2005. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref>
-A number of [[arrests]] were made throughout the affected area, including some near the New Orleans Convention Center. A temporary jail was constructed of chain link cages in the city train station.<ref>Staff Writer. "[http://www.komonews.com/news/archive/4163081.html At the Train Station, New Orleans' Newest Jail is Open For Business]." ''[[KOMO-TV]].'' September 6, 2005. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref>
-In Texas, where more than 300,000 refugees were located, local officials ran 20,000 criminal background checks on the refugees, as well as on the relief workers helping them and people who opened up their homes. The background checks found that 45% of the refugees had a criminal record of some nature, and that 22% had a violent criminal record.<ref name="WBOY WV records">Schubert, Elizabeth. "[http://www.wboy.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=5266 Some Katrina Evacuees at Camp Dawson Have Criminal Records]{{dead link|date=June 2012}}." ''Associated Press.'' September 18, 2005. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref> The number of homicides in [[Houston]] from September 2005 through February 22, 2006 went up by 23% relative to the same period a year before; 29 of the 170 murders involved displaced Louisianans as victims or suspects.<ref>"[http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000103&sid=az6n8C6gsqf0 Louisiana Gangs That Fled Katrina Heighten Houston Murder Rate]." ''[[Bloomberg Television|Bloomberg.com]].'' March 3, 2006. Retrieved on 2006-07-15.</ref>
-===Government response===
-[[File:Katrina x large.png|right|thumb|300px|Chart showing some common uses of the FEMA marking system in [[New Orleans]] after Hurricane Katrina]]
-[[File:BUSHKATRINA.jpg|thumb|President Bush stands with [[Secretary of Defense]] [[Donald Rumsfeld]], [[Secretary of Labor]] [[Elaine Chao]] and [[Secretary of Health and Human Services]] [[Mike Leavitt]] during a press conference from the [[White House Rose Garden|Rose Garden]], regarding the devastation along the Gulf Coast caused by Katrina.]]
-[[File:BUSHJACKET.jpg|thumb|President Bush examines the flooded areas from Air Force One.]]
-Within the United States and as delineated in the [[National Response Plan]], disaster response and planning is first and foremost a local government responsibility. When local government exhausts its resources, it then requests specific additional resources from the county level. The request process proceeds similarly from the county to the state to the federal government as additional resource needs are identified. Many of the problems that arose developed from inadequate planning and back-up communications systems at various levels.<ref name="usgovwh"/>
-Some [[disaster recovery]] response to Katrina began before the storm, with [[Federal Emergency Management Agency of the United States|Federal Emergency Management Agency]] (FEMA) preparations that ranged from logistical supply deployments to a [[mortuary]] team with refrigerated trucks. A network of volunteers began rendering assistance to local residents and residents emerging from New Orleans and surrounding parishes as soon as the storm made landfall (even though many were directed to not enter the area), and continued for more than six months after the storm.<ref name="usgovwh">{{cite web|author=U.S. Government|title=The FEDERAL RESPONSE TO HURRICANE KATRINA: LESSONS LEARNED|year=2006|publisher=|accessdate=2008-06-06|url=http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/reports/katrina-lessons-learned.pdf|format=PDF}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>
-Of the 60,000&nbsp;people stranded in New Orleans, the Coast Guard rescued more than 33,500.<ref name="GAO-06-903">{{cite book | author = United States Government Accountability Office | authorlink = Government Accountability Office | url = http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d06903.pdf | title = Coast Guard: Observations on the Preparation, Response, and Recovery Missions Related to Hurricane Katrina | accessdate = 2006-08-27 | month= July | year= 2006 | format = PDF}}</ref> Congress recognized the Coast Guard's response with an official entry in the Congressional Record,<ref name="S. 246">{{cite book | author = United States Congress | title = Senate Resolution 246: To express the sense of the Senate regarding the missions and performance of the United States Coast Guard in responding to Hurricane Katrina. | format = PDF | date = September 21, 2005 | accessdate = 2006-08-27 | publisher = Government Printing Office | url = http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=109_cong_bills&docid=f:sr246ats.txt.pdf}}</ref> and the [[Military of the United States|Armed Service]] was awarded the [[Presidential Unit Citation (US)|Presidential Unit Citation]].<ref>{{cite web | title = USCG Message Traffic: Award of the Presidential Unit Citation to the Coast Guard|date = May 25, 2006 | accessdate = 2008-11-15 | url = http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg3/cg3pcx/publications/alcoast/alcoast-317-06.asp | publisher = United States Coast Guard}}</ref>
-The [[United States Northern Command]] established [[Joint Task Force Katrina|Joint Task Force (JTF) Katrina]] based out of [[Camp Shelby]], Mississippi, to act as the military's on-scene response on Sunday, August 28, with [[US Army]] [[Lieutenant general (United States)|Lieutenant General]] [[Russel L. Honoré]] as commander.<ref>"[http://web.archive.org/web/20070817085847/www.defenselink.mil/transcripts/transcript.aspx?transcriptid=1955 Special Defense Department Briefing with Commander of Joint Task Force Katrina]". ''[[United States Department of Defense]],'' News Transcript. September 1, 2005. Retrieved on 2010-04-14.</ref> Approximately 58,000 National Guard personnel were activated to deal with the storm's aftermath, with troops coming from all 50 states.<ref>Phillips, Kyra. "[http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0509/06/se.01.html Bush Discusses Displaced Students; Department of Defense Briefs Press on Katrina Response (CNN Live Transcript)]." ''CNN.'' September 6, 2005. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref> The [[United States Department of Defense|Department of Defense]] also activated volunteer members of the [[Civil Air Patrol]].
-Michael Chertoff, [[United States Secretary of Homeland Security|Secretary]] of the [[United States Department of Homeland Security|Department of Homeland Security]], decided to take over the federal, state, and local operations officially on August 30, 2005, citing the National Response Plan.<ref>California Political Desk. "[http://www.californiachronicle.com/articles/viewArticle.asp?articleID=5916 Pelosi: Davis Report on Katrina Leaves Unfinished Business]." ''[http://www.californiachronicle.com/ California Chronicle].'' February 15, 2006. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref> This was refused by Governor Blanco who indicated that her National Guard could manage. Early in September, Congress authorized a total of $62.3&nbsp;billion in aid for victims.<ref>Baker, Peter; Goldstein, Amy. "[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/08/AR2005090801081.html Congress Approves $51.8&nbsp;Billion For Victims]." ''[[Washington Post]].'' September 9, 2005. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref> Additionally, President Bush enlisted the help of former presidents [[Bill Clinton]] and [[George H.W. Bush]] to raise additional voluntary contributions, much as they did after the [[2004 Indian Ocean earthquake]] and [[tsunami]].<ref>Bush, George W. "[http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2005/09/20050901-3.html President Asks Bush and Clinton to Assist in Hurricane Relief]." ''White House,'' Press Release. September 1, 2005. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref> [[Flag of the United States|American flags]] were also ordered to be [[half-staff]] from September 2, 2005 to September 20, 2005 in honor of the victims.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2005/09/20050904-2.html |title=Proclamation by the President: Honoring the Memory of the Victims of Hurricane Katrina |publisher=Whitehouse.gov |date= |accessdate=2008-10-27}}</ref>
-FEMA provided housing assistance (rental assistance, [[FEMA Trailer|trailers]], etc.) to more than 700,000 applicants—families and individuals. However, only one-fifth of the trailers requested in Orleans Parish were supplied, resulting in an enormous housing shortage in the city of New Orleans.<ref>''Times-Picayune,'' September 26, 2005, page A-12. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref> Many local areas voted to not allow the trailers, and many areas had no utilities, a requirement prior to placing the trailers. To provide for additional housing, FEMA has also paid for the hotel costs of 12,000 individuals and families displaced by Katrina through February 7, 2006, when a final deadline was set for the end of hotel cost coverage. After this deadline, evacuees were still eligible to receive federal assistance, which could be used towards either apartment rent, additional hotel stays, or fixing their ruined homes, although FEMA no longer paid for hotels directly.<ref>Foster, Mary. "[http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/02/13/katrina/main1311616.shtml Judge: FEMA Off Hook For Hotel Costs]." ''[[CBC News]].'' February 13, 2006. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref> As of March 30, 2010, there were still 260 families living in FEMA-provided trailers in Louisiana and Mississippi.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wlox.com/Global/story.asp?S=12230906|title=Hancock Co. woman struggles to get out of FEMA trailer|author=Al Showers|publisher=WLOX Channel 13|date=2010-03-30|accessdate=2010-04-14}}</ref>
-Law enforcement and public safety agencies, from across the United States, provided a "[[Mutual aid (emergency services)|mutual aid]]" response to Louisiana and New Orleans in the weeks following the disaster. Many agencies responded with manpower and equipment from as far away as [[California]], [[Michigan]], [[Nevada]], New York, and [[Texas]]. This response was welcomed by local Louisiana authorities as their staff were either becoming fatigued, stretched too thin, or even quitting from the job.<ref>{{cite news | last = Treaster | first = Joseph B. | title = Law Officers, Overwhelmed, Are Quitting the Force | url = http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/04/national/nationalspecial/04police.html?ei=5090&en=8bf8550c348bbc33&ex=1283486400&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss&pagewanted=print | publisher = New York Times|date = September 4, 2005 | accessdate=2006-06-24}}</ref>
-Two weeks after the storm, more than half of the states were involved in providing shelter for evacuees. By four weeks after the storm, evacuees had been registered in all 50&nbsp;states and in 18,700&nbsp;zip codes—half of the nation's residential postal zones. Most evacuees had stayed within 250&nbsp;miles (400&nbsp;km), but 240,000&nbsp;households went to Houston and other cities over {{convert|250|mi|km}} away and another 60,000&nbsp;households went over 750&nbsp;miles (1,200&nbsp;km) away.<ref>{{cite web | last = Quigley | first = Bill | title = Six Months After Katrina: Who Was Left Behind Then and Who is Being Left Behind Now? | url = http://www.cwsworkshop.org/katrinareader/node/162 | date = 2006-02-21 | accessdate = 2008-11-15 }}</ref>
-===Criticism of government response===
-{{Main|Criticism of government response to Hurricane Katrina}}
-[[File:USNS Comfort.jpg|thumb|upright|[[USNS Comfort|USNS ''Comfort'']] takes on supplies at [[Mayport, Florida]] en route to the Gulf Coast.]]
-The criticisms of the government's response to Hurricane Katrina primarily consisted of criticism of [[Administrative incompetence|mismanagement]] and lack of [[leadership]] in the relief efforts in response to the storm and its aftermath. More specifically, the criticism focused on the delayed response to the flooding of New Orleans, and the subsequent state of chaos in the Crescent City.<ref name="thevenot" /> The [[neologism]] ''Katrina[[-gate|gate]]'' was coined to refer to this controversy, and was a runner-up for "2005 word of the year."<ref>Clark, Heather. "[http://web.archive.org/web/20060325135124/http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=1480616 Linguists Vote 'Truthiness' Word of 2005]." ''ABC News.'' January 6, 2006. Retrieved on 2010-04-14.</ref>
-Within days of Katrina's August 29, 2005 landfall, public debate arose about the local, state and federal governments' role in the [[Preparations for Hurricane Katrina|preparations]] for and response to the hurricane. [[Criticism]] was initially prompted by televised images of visibly shaken and frustrated political leaders, and of residents who remained stranded by flood waters without [[drinking water|water]], [[food]] or shelter. Deaths from [[thirst]], [[Fatigue (medical)|exhaustion]], and [[violence]], days after the storm had passed, fueled the criticism, as did the dilemma of the evacuees at facilities such as the Louisiana Superdome (designed to handle 800, yet 30,000 arrived) and the New Orleans Civic Center (not designed as an evacuation center, yet 25,000 arrived). Some alleged that [[Race (classification of human beings)|race]], [[social class|class]], and other factors could have contributed to delays in government response.
-In accordance with federal law, President George W. Bush directed the [[Secretary of Homeland Security|Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security]], Michael Chertoff, to coordinate the Federal response. Chertoff designated [[Michael D. Brown]], head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, as the Principal Federal Official to lead the deployment and coordination of all federal response resources and forces in the Gulf Coast region. However, the President and Secretary Chertoff initially came under harsh criticism for what some perceived as a lack of planning and coordination. Brown claimed that Governor Blanco resisted their efforts and was unhelpful. Governor Blanco and her staff disputed this.<ref>{{cite news | author = David Kirkpatrick and Scott Shane | title = Ex-FEMA Chief Tells of Frustration and Chaos | date = September 15, 2005 | accessdate = 2010-05-13|publisher = The New York Times | url = http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/15/national/nationalspecial/15brown.html?pagewanted=all}}</ref> Eight days later, Brown was recalled to Washington and Coast Guard Vice Admiral [[Thad W. Allen]] replaced him as chief of hurricane relief operations.<ref>Meserve, Jeanne; Barrett, Ted. "[http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/09/09/katrina.washington/index.html Admiral takes over Katrina relief]." ''CNN.'' September 9, 2005. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref> Three days after the recall, Michael D. Brown resigned as director of FEMA in spite of having received recent praise from President Bush.<ref>{{cite web | author = Office of the Press Secretary | title = President Arrives in Alabama, Briefed on Hurricane Katrina | date = September 2, 2005 | accessdate = 2006-07-19|publisher = The White House | url = http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2005/09/20050902-2.html}}</ref>
-During ''[[A Concert for Hurricane Relief]]'', a benefit concert for victims of the hurricane, rapper [[Kanye West]] veered off script and harshly criticized the government's response to the crisis, stating that "George Bush doesn't care about [[black people]]." Although the camera quickly cut away, and the scene was deleted from delayed broadcasts, West's comments still reached the East Coast broadcasts, and were replayed and discussed afterwards.<ref>{{cite news|last=de Moraes|first=Lisa|title=Kanye West's Torrent of Criticism, Live on NBC|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/03/AR2005090300165.html|work=The Washington Post|date=2005-09-03|accessdate=2008-09-01}}</ref> Bush later called West's remarks 'the worst moment in his presidency', feeling he was unjustly accused of racism.<ref>{{cite news|last=CHAPPELL|first=BILL |title=Bush Says Kanye West's Attack Was Low Point Of His Presidency; West Agrees|url=http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2010/11/03/131052717/bush-says-kanye-west-s-attack-was-low-point-of-his-presidency|work=NPR|date=2010-11-03|accessdate=2011-08-28}}</ref>
-<!-- Kanye West and Mike Myers met again on a brief sketch on ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'', in which Myers joked that since the telethon, the government has stripped him of his American citizenship ("still got my Canadian citizenship to fall back on," Myers joked), and placed him under heavy government surveillance.{{Citation needed|date=March 2008}} -->
-Criticism from politicians, activists, pundits and journalists of all stripes was directed at the local and state governments headed by Mayor Ray Nagin of New Orleans and Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco. Nagin and Blanco were criticized for failing to implement New Orleans' evacuation plan and for ordering residents to a shelter of last resort without any provisions for food, water, security, or sanitary conditions. Perhaps the most important criticism of Nagin was that he delayed his emergency evacuation order until 19 hours before landfall, which led to hundreds of deaths of people who (by that time) could not find any way out of the city.<ref name="CongressInvestigation"/>
-The destruction wrought by Hurricane Katrina raised other, more general public policy issues about [[emergency management]], [[environmental policy]], [[poverty]], and [[unemployment]]. The discussion of both the immediate response and of the broader public policy issues may have affected [[elections]] and [[legislation]] enacted at various [[Executive (government)|levels of government]]. The storm's devastation also prompted a Congressional investigation, which found that FEMA and the Red Cross "did not have a logistics capacity sophisticated enough to fully support the massive number of Gulf coast victims." Additionally, it placed responsibility for the disaster on all three levels of government.<ref name="CongressInvestigation"/>
-An ABC News [[Opinion poll|poll]] conducted on September 2, 2005, showed more blame was being directed at state and local governments (75%) than at the Federal government (67%), with 44% blaming Bush's leadership directly.<ref name="abcnewspoll">Langer, Gary. "[http://abcnews.go.com/US/HurricaneKatrina/story?id=1094262&page=1 Poll: Bush Not Taking Brunt of Katrina Criticism]." ''ABC News.'' September 12, 2005. Retrieved on July 15, 2006.</ref> A later [[CNN]]/[[USAToday]]/[[Gallup poll]] showed that respondents disagreed widely on who was to blame for the problems in the city following the hurricane — 13% said Bush, 18% said federal agencies, 25% blamed state or local officials and 38% said no one was to blame.<ref name="cnnpoll">Staff Writer. "[http://edition.cnn.com/2005/US/09/07/katrina.poll/ Poll: Most Americans believe New Orleans will never recover]." ''CNN.'' September 8, 2005. Retrieved on July 15, 2006.</ref>
-Five former police officers have pleaded guilty to charges connected to the [[Danziger Bridge shootings]] in the aftermath of the hurricane. Six other former or current officers appeared in court in June 2011. Two unarmed civilians were killed and four others seriously wounded when police opened fire on people attempting to cross the bridge.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://edition.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/12/01/louisiana.katrina.shootings/| title=Ex-cop gets 8 years for role in post-Katrina shootings| publisher=CNN| date=December 2, 2010}}</ref>
-===International response===
-{{Main|International response to Hurricane Katrina}}
-[[File:Canadian relief transport.jpg|thumb|[[United States Navy]] personnel unload [[Canada|Canadian]] relief supplies from a [[Canadian Forces Air Command|Canadian Air Force]] transport aircraft in [[Pensacola, Florida]].]]
-Over seventy countries pledged monetary donations or other assistance. Notably, Cuba and [[Venezuela]] (both considered as hostile to US government interest) were the first countries to offer assistance, pledging over $1&nbsp;million, several mobile hospitals, water treatment plants, canned food, bottled water, heating oil, 1,100 doctors and 26.4 metric tons of medicine, though this aid was rejected by the U.S. government.<ref>"[http://web.archive.org/web/20080614224742/http://english.aljazeera.net/English/archive/archive?ArchiveId=14771 Venezuela and Cuba offer US aid ]." [[Al Jazeera]], September 7, 2005. Retrieved on 2010-04-14.</ref><ref>"[http://web.archive.org/web/20071105025006/http://www.freepeoplesmovement.org/fpm/page.php?56 Venezuela and Cuba offer aid to Katrina victims]." [[Free Press (publisher)|The Free Press]], Volume 1, Issue 4. Retrieved on 2010-04-14.</ref><ref>"[http://web.archive.org/web/20080616014353/http://www.pww.org/article/view/7693/1/285/ From abroad, offers of aid for Katrina victims]." [[People's Weekly World]], September 10, 2005. Retrieved on 2010-04-14.</ref><ref>"[http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2005-09-02-katrinaworldhelps_x.htm France, Cuba, Venezuela among those offering aid]." [[USA Today]], Sept 2, 2005. Retrieved on 2007-08-05.</ref> [[Kuwait]] made the largest single pledge, $500&nbsp;million; other large donations were made by [[Qatar]] and [[United Arab Emirates]] (each $100&nbsp;million), [[South Korea]] ($30&nbsp;million), [[Australia]] ($10&nbsp;million), [[India]], [[People's Republic of China|China]] (both $5&nbsp;million), [[New Zealand]] ($2&nbsp;million),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0509/S00159.htm |title=Scoop: Further NZ assistance in wake of Hurricane Katrina |publisher=Scoop.co.nz |author=Tuesday, September 6, 2005, 3:47&nbsp;pm Press Release: New Zealand Government |date= |accessdate=2008-10-27}}</ref> [[Pakistan]] ($1.5&nbsp;million),<ref>Staff Writer. "[http://web.archive.org/web/20071222192047/http://usembassy.state.gov/pakistan/h05090802.html U.S. Grateful for Pakistan's Assistance for Hurricane Katrina Victims]."''Embassy of the United States. September 8, 2005. Retrieved on 2010-04-14.</ref> and [[Bangladesh]] ($1&nbsp;million).<ref>Staff Writer. "[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4215820.stm Asian nations offer U.S. assistance]." ''BBC News.'' September 5, 2005. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref>
-India sent tarps, blankets and hygiene kits. An [[Indian Air Force]] IL-76 aircraft delivered 25 tonnes of relief supplies for the Hurricane Katrina victims at the Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas on September 13, 2005.
-[[Israel]] sent an [[Israel Defense Forces|IDF]] delegation to New Orleans to transport aid equipment including 80&nbsp;tons of food, disposable diapers, beds, blankets, generators and additional equipment which were donated from different governmental institutions, civilian institutions and the IDF.<ref>Ministry of Foreign Affairs. "[http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/About+the+Ministry/MFA+Spokesman/2005/Israeli+aid+to+Hurricane+Katrina+victims+5-Sep-2005.htm Israel Aids Hurricane Katrina Victims]." ''[[Ministry of Foreign Affairs|MFA]].'' September 5, 2005. Retrieved on 2006-12-17.</ref> The Bush Administration announced in mid-September that it did not need Israeli divers and physicians to come to the United States for search and rescue missions, but a small team landed in New Orleans on September 10 to give assistance to operations already under way. The team administered first aid to survivors, rescued [[abandoned pets]] and discovered hurricane victims.<ref>Jewish Virtual Library. "[http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Politics/Katrianaid.html Israel's Aid to Hurricane Katrina Victims]." ''[[Jewish Virtual Library]].''</ref>
-Countries like [[Sri Lanka]], which was still recovering from the [[2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami|Indian Ocean Tsunami]], also offered to help. Countries including [[Canadian response to Hurricane Katrina|Canada]], [[Mexican response to Hurricane Katrina|Mexico]], [[Singaporean response to Hurricane Katrina|Singapore]], and [[Germany]] sent supplies, relief personnel (like [[Technisches Hilfswerk]]), troops, ships and water pumps to aid in the disaster recovery. [[Belgium]] sent in a team of relief personnel. [[UK|Britain's]] donation of 350,000 emergency meals did not reach victims because of laws regarding mad cow disease.<ref>Staff Writer. "[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4344168.stm U.S. rejects British Katrina beef]." ''BBC News.'' October 15, 2005.</ref> [[Russia]]'s [[Russian response to Hurricane Katrina|initial offer]] of two jets was declined by the U.S. State Department but accepted later. The [[France|French]] [[French response to Hurricane Katrina|offer]] was also declined and requested later.<ref>Staff Writer. "[http://edition.cnn.com/2005/US/09/04/katrina.world.aid U.S. receives aid offers from around the world]." ''CNN.'' September 4, 2005. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref>
-In addition to receiving aid from around the world, there was criticism to go along with it, including accusations of racism. Quoted from the UK Mirror, "Many things about the United States are wonderful, but it has a vile underbelly which is usually kept well out of sight. Now in New Orleans it has been exposed to the world."<ref>"[http://www.tolerance.org/news/article_tol.jsp?id=1291 KATRINA AND RACISM: The World View]." ''Tolerance.org.'' September 19, 2006. Retrieved on 2006-08-28.</ref>
-===Non-governmental organization response===
-[[File:FEMA - 15322 - Photograph by Andrea Booher taken on 09-05-2005 in Texas.jpg|thumb|Residents of Louisiana, who had to flee their homes because of Hurricane Katrina, are inside the [[Houston Astrodome]] and being helped by the Red Cross and other agencies and associations.]]
-The [[American Red Cross]], America's Second Harvest (now known as [[Feeding America]]), [[Southern Baptist Convention]], [[Salvation Army]], [[Oxfam]], [[Common Ground Collective]], [[Burners Without Borders]],<ref name="sfbg">{{cite news | first=Steven T. | last=Jones | url=http://www.sfbg.com/40/21/cover_katrina.html | title=From here to Katrina | work=San Francisco Bay Guardian | date=2006-02-22 | accessdate=2006-05-18}}</ref> [[Emergency Communities]], [[Habitat for Humanity]], [[Catholic Charities]], Service International, "A River of Hope", [[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]],<ref>{{cite web|publisher=[[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints]]|title=Church Providing Relief to Hurricane Katrina Victims|url=http://newsroom.lds.org/article/church-providing-relief-to-hurricane-katrina-victims|date=2005-09-01|accessdate=2010-01-15}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Latter-day Saints to Mobilize Another 4,000 Volunteers in Chainsaw Brigade’s Second Wave|publisher=[[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]]|url=http://newsroom.lds.org/article/latter-day-saints-to-mobilize-another-4,000-volunteers-in-chainsaw-brigade-s-second-wave|date=2005-09-16|accessdate=2010-01-18}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Mormon Helping Hands Make a Difference|publisher=[[Meridian Magazine]]|url=http://www.meridianmagazine.com/articles/051020helpinghands.html|year=2005|accessdate=2010-01-18}}{{dead link|date=November 2011}}</ref> and many other charitable organizations provided help to the victims of the storm. They were not allowed into New Orleans proper by the National Guard for several days after the storm because of safety concerns. These organizations raised US$4.25&nbsp;billion in donations by the public, with the Red Cross receiving over half of the donations.<ref name = "Charity Navigator report">{{cite web | author = Staff writer|publisher= [[Charity Navigator]] | title = Where Did The Money Go? | year= 2006 | accessdate = 2006-08-05 | work = Hurricane Katrina: One Year Later | url = http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm/bay/katrina.main.htm}}</ref>  Some smaller organizations and individuals ignored the access restrictions and provided early relief. For example, two privately chartered planes from [[FasterCures]] evacuated 200 patents from Charity Hospital in New Orleans.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:XkcI43WOMN0J:www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,168978,00.html+&cd=5&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us |title=Al Gore Airlifts Evacuees&nbsp;— Politics &#124; Republican Party &#124; Democratic Party &#124; Political Spectrum&nbsp;— FOXNews.com |publisher=Webcache.googleusercontent.com |date=2005-09-09 |accessdate=2012-02-19}}{{dead link|date=June 2012}}</ref>
-Volunteers from [[amateur radio]]'s emergency service wing, the [[Amateur Radio Emergency Service]], provided communications in areas where the communications infrastructure had been damaged or totally destroyed, relaying everything from 911 traffic to messages home.<ref>{{cite journal|author=Staff Writer|url=http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter?issue=2005-09-16|title=ARRL President Submits Congressional Testimony on Hams' Katrina Response|publisher=American Radio Relay League|accessdate=2010-04-14|date=2005-09-16|volume=24|issue=36}}</ref> In Hancock County, Mississippi, ham radio operators provided the only communications into or out of the area, and even served as 911 dispatchers.<ref>Rick Palm. "[http://www.arrl.org/ares-el?issue=2005-09-22 ARES E-Letter for September 22, 2005]." ''The American Radio Relay League.'' September 22, 2005. Retrieved on 2010-04-14.</ref>
-Many corporations also contributed to relief efforts. On September 13, 2005, it was reported that corporate donations to the relief effort were $409&nbsp;million, and were expected to exceed $1&nbsp;billion.<ref>"[http://money.cnn.com/2005/09/13/news/fortune500/katrina_donations/ Corporate Katrina gifts could top $1B]." ''CNN.'' September 13, 2005. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref>
-During and after the Hurricanes Katrina, Wilma and Rita, the American Red Cross had opened 1,470 different shelters across and registered 3.8&nbsp;million overnight stays. None were allowed in New Orleans however. A total of 244,000 Red Cross workers (95% of which were non-paid volunteers) were utilized throughout these three hurricanes. In addition, 346,980 comfort kits (such as toothpaste, soap, washcloths and toys for children) and 205,360 cleanup kits (containing brooms, mops and bleach) were distributed. For mass care, the organization served 68&nbsp;million snacks and meals to victims of the disasters and to rescue workers. The Red Cross also had its Disaster Health services meet 596,810 contacts, and Disaster Mental Health services met 826,590 contacts. Red Cross emergency financial assistance was provided to 1.4&nbsp;million families. Hurricane Katrina was the first natural disaster in the United States in which the American Red Cross utilized its "Safe and Well" family location website.<ref name="ARC 1 yr">{{cite web | publisher = [[American Red Cross]] | title = A Year of Healing |month=August | date = 2006-09-29 | url = http://www.redcross.org/images/pdfs/Katrina_OneYearReport.pdf|format=PDF}}</ref><ref name = "ARC 2005AHS facts">{{cite web | publisher = American Red Cross | title = Hurricane Season 2005: Facts and Figures|date = 2006-09-29 | url = http://www.redcross.org/news/ds/hurricanes/2005/facts.html}}{{dead link|date=June 2012}}</ref>
-In the year following Katrina's strike on the Gulf Coast, The Salvation Army allocated donations of more than $365&nbsp;million to serve more than 1.7&nbsp;million people in nearly every state. The organization's immediate response to Hurricane Katrina included more than 5.7&nbsp;million hot meals served in and around New Orleans, 8.3&nbsp;million sandwiches, snacks & drinks. Its SATERN network of amateur radio operators picked up where modern communications left off to help locate more than 25,000&nbsp;survivors. Salvation Army pastoral care counselors were on hand to comfort the emotional and spiritual needs of 277,000 individuals. As part of the overall effort, Salvation Army officers, employees and volunteers contributed more than 900,000&nbsp;hours of service.<ref name="Salvation Army">{{cite web | url = http://www.salvationist.org/intnews.nsf/vw_web_articles/80D873B8CDAC8607802571D9003FDDEF?opendocument | title = Salvation Army Reflects on Largest Disaster Response Ever at One-Year Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina | accessdate = 2010-04-14|date = August 28, 2006 | publisher = [[Salvation Army|The Salvation Army]]}}</ref>
-===Analysis of New Orleans levee failures===
-{{Main|2005 levee failures in Greater New Orleans}}
-[[File:Hurricane Katrina Eye viewed from Hurricane Hunter.jpg|thumb|upright|View of the eyewall of Hurricane Katrina taken on August 28, 2005, as seen from a [[NOAA]] [[WP-3D Orion|WP-3D]] [[hurricane hunter]] aircraft before the storm made landfall on the United States [[Gulf Coast]].]]
-A June 2007 report released by the [[American Society of Civil Engineers]] states that the failures of the locally built and federally funded levees in New Orleans were found to be primarily the result of system design flaws.<ref name="ASCE HKERP report"/> The [[US Army Corps of Engineers]] who by federal mandate is responsible for the conception, design and construction of the region's flood-control system failed to pay sufficient attention to public safety.
-According to modeling and field observations by a team from [[Louisiana State University]], the [[Mississippi River – Gulf Outlet Canal|Mississippi River Gulf Outlet (MRGO)]], a 200-meter-wide (660-foot-wide) canal designed to provide a shortcut from New Orleans to the Gulf of Mexico, helped provide a funnel for the storm surge, making it 20% higher and 100%-200% faster as it crashed into the city. St. Bernard Parish, one of the more devastated areas, lies just south of the MRGO. The Corps of Engineers disputes this causality and maintains Katrina would have overwhelmed the levees with or without the contributing effect of the MRGO.<ref>Warrick, Joby; Grunwald, Michael. "[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/23/AR2005102301200_pf.html Investigators Link Levee Failures to Design Flaws]." ''Washington Post.'' October 24, 2005. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref> The water flowing west from the storm surge was perpendicular to MRGO, and thus the canal had a negligible effect.
-There was unfounded speculation made by residents concerning a possible planned levee breach. Many references are made to the 1927 flood in which a levee was breached south of New Orleans in order to divert floodwater to the Gulf of Mexico.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mvn.usace.army.mil/pao/RELEASES/02-06_1927_Flood_Anniversary2.htm |title=75th Anniversary of the Great Flood of 1927|publisher=Mvn.usace.army.mil |date= |accessdate=2011-11-03}}</ref> Recently,{{when|date=February 2012}} the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Nature Conservancy have developed a floodplain reconnection project in which the Ouachita River would be connected to its floodplain and the Gulf of Mexico.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/louisiana/press/press4039.html |title=Louisiana Nature Conservation, Environment Issues &#124; The Nature Conservancy |publisher=Nature.org |date=2011-03-07 |accessdate=2011-11-03}}</ref> A breach in the levee{{vague|date=February 2012}} caused the water level downstream to drop six inches (152&nbsp;mm) in a previous event in the early 1990s. Both cases show the many benefits of allowing the river to run its course.{{synthesis-inline|date=February 2012}}
-On April 5, 2006, months after independent investigators had demonstrated that levee failures were not caused by natural forces beyond intended design strength, Lieutenant General [[Carl Strock]], [[Chief of Engineers]] and Commander of the Corps of Engineers, testified before the United States Senate Subcommittee on Energy and Water that "We have now concluded we had problems with the design of the structure."<ref>Staff Writers "[http://web.archive.org/web/20080527010320/http://www.unregisterednews.com/content/view/184/53/ Problems with the design of levees]." ''[[Unregistered News]].'' September 29, 2005. Retrieved on 2010-04-14.</ref> He also testified that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers did not know of this mechanism of failure prior to August 29, 2005. The claim of ignorance is refuted, however, by the National Science Foundation investigators hired by the Corps of Engineers, who point to a 1986 study by the Corps itself that such separations were possible in the I-wall design.<ref>{{cite news| title = Corps chief admits to 'design failure' | author = Walsh, Bill | publisher = Times Picayune|date = April 6, 2006 | accessdate=2006-04-09 | url = http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/frontpage/index.ssf?/base/news-5/1144306231230500.xml}}</ref>
-Many of the levees have been reconstructed since the time of Katrina. In reconstructing them, precautions were taken to bring the levees up to modern building code standards and to ensure their safety. For example, in every situation possible, the Corps of Engineers replaced I-walls with T-walls. T-walls have a horizontal concrete base that protects against soil erosion underneath the floodwalls.<ref name=Walls>{{cite news | first=Matt | last=Crenson | agency=Associated Press | url=http://www.constructionequipmentguide.com/story.asp?story=6589 | title=Levee Repairs to Be Finished By First Day of Hurricane Season | date=2006-02-02 | accessdate=2008-05-12}}</ref>
-However, there are funding battles over the remaining levee improvements. In February 2008, the Bush administration requested that the state of Louisiana pay about $1.5&nbsp;billion of an estimated $7.2&nbsp;billion for Corps of Engineers levee work (in accordance with the principles of local cost sharing required by Congress as early as the [[Flood Control Act of 1928]]), a proposal which angered many Louisiana leaders.<ref name=funding>{{cite news | title=White House Budget for Levee Work Riles Many Louisiana Elected Officials | agency=Associated Press | first=Cain | last=Burdeau | url=http://www.cegltd.com/story.asp?story=10045 | date=2008-02-12 | accessdate=2008-05-12}}</ref>
-On May 2, 2008, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal used a speech to The National Press Club to request that President Bush free up money to complete work on Louisiana's levees. Bush promised to include the levee funding in his 2009 budget, but rejected the idea of including the funding in a war bill, which would pass sooner.<ref name=BushJindal>{{cite web | url=http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/18539869.html | title =Jindal asks Bush for levee cash | publisher=2theadvocate.com | first=Gerard | last=Shields | date=2008-05-03 | accessdate=2008-05-12}}</ref>
-===Media involvement===
-{{Main|Media coverage of Hurricane Katrina}}
-Many representatives of the [[news media]] reporting on the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina became directly involved in the unfolding events, instead of simply reporting. Because of the loss of most means of communication, such as land-based and cellular telephone systems, field reporters in many cases became conduits for information between victims and authorities.
-The authorities, who monitored local and network news broadcasts, as well as internet sites, would then attempt to coordinate rescue efforts based on the reports. One illustration was when [[Geraldo Rivera]] of [[Fox News]] tearfully pleaded for authorities to either send help or evacuate the thousands of evacuees stranded at the [[Ernest N. Morial Convention Center]].<ref>"[http://www.ifilm.com/ifilmdetail/2678976 Geraldo Rivera & Shepard Smith Unleashed]{{dead link|date=November 2011}}."&nbsp;— ''Video.'' 2005. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref>
-The storm also brought a dramatic rise in the role of [[Website|Internet sites]]—especially [[blogging]] and [[community journalism]]. One example was the effort of ''NOLA.com'', the web affiliate of New Orleans' ''[[The Times-Picayune|Times-Picayune]]''. A group of reporters from the paper including Doug MacCash, Manuel Torres, [[Trymaine Lee]], and Mark Schleifstein were awarded the Breaking News [[Pulitzer Prize]],<ref name="Pulitzer BN">{{cite web | author = The Pulitzer Board | title = 2006 Pulitzer Prize Winners&nbsp;— Breaking News Reporting | year= 2006 | accessdate = 2008-11-15 | url = http://www.pulitzer.org/citation/2006,Breaking+News+Reporting}}</ref> and the Times-Picayune shared the Public Service Pulitzer with the Biloxi-based ''[[The Sun Herald|Sun Herald]]''.<ref name="Pulitzer PS">{{cite web | author = The Pulitzer Board | title = 2006 Pulitzer Prize Winners&nbsp;— Public Service | year= 2006 | accessdate = 2008-11-15 | url = http://www.pulitzer.org/citation/2006,Public+Service}}</ref> The newspaper's coverage was carried for days only on NOLA's blogs, as the newspaper lost its presses and evacuated its building as water rose around it on August 30. The site became an international focal point for news by local media, and also became a vital link for rescue operations and later for reuniting scattered residents, as it accepted and posted thousands of individual pleas for rescue on its blogs and forums. NOLA was monitored constantly by an array of rescue teams—from individuals to the Coast Guard—which used information in rescue efforts. Much of this information was relayed from trapped victims via the SMS functions of their cell phones, to friends and relatives outside the area, who then relayed the information back to NOLA.com. The aggregation of community journalism, user photos and the use of the internet site as a collaborative response to the storm attracted international attention, and was called a watershed moment in journalism.<ref name="OJR NOLA">{{cite web | author = Mark Glaser | title = NOLA.com blogs and forums help save lives after Katrina | date = September 13, 2005 | publisher = Online Journalism Review | accessdate = 2006-08-02 | url = http://www.ojr.org/ojr/stories/050913glaser/}}</ref> In the wake of these online-only efforts, the Pulitzer Committee for the first time opened all its categories to online entries.<ref name="Pulitzer speech">{{cite web | author = [[Paul Steiger]] | title = Remarks at Pulitzer Prize luncheon|date = May 22, 2006 | accessdate = 2008-11-15 | publisher = The Pulitzer Board | url = http://www.pulitzer.org/2006_luncheon_steiger}}</ref>
-The role of AM radio was of importance to the hundreds of thousands of persons with no other ties to news. [[AM radio]] provided emergency information regarding access to assistance for hurricane victims. Immediately after Hurricane Katrina, radio station [[WWL-AM]] (New Orleans) was one of the few area radio stations in the area remaining on the air. The 870&nbsp;kHz frequency has a [[Clear-channel stations|clear channel]] high power designation and the on-going nighttime broadcasts continued to be available up to {{convert|500|mi|km}} away. Announcers continued to broadcast from improvised studio facilities after the storm damaged their main studios.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://radio.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ&zTi=1&sdn=radio&cdn=gadgets&tm=58&f=00&su=p504.1.336.ip_&tt=2&bt=0&bts=0&st=23&zu=http%3A//www.mediaweek.com/mw/news/recent_display.jsp%3Fvnu_content_id%3D1001052023|title=Local Media Outlets Struggle to Carry On Post Katrina|date=2005-08-31|accessdate=2010-04-14|author=Katy Bachman and Tony Sanders|publisher=Billboard Radio Monitor}}</ref>
-During the period of several weeks when most area radio stations were off the air, WWL-AM's emergency coverage was simulcast on the frequencies of other area radio stations. This emergency service was named "[[United Radio Broadcasters of New Orleans|The United Radio Broadcasters of New Orleans]]." To reach emergency radio operators in storm-ravaged areas, many of whom made their volunteer services available to the Red Cross and government entities, WWL-AM was simulcast on shortwave outlet [[WHRI]], owned by World Harvest Radio International. The [[cellular phone]] antenna network was severely damaged and completely inoperable for several months.
-As the U.S. military and rescue services regained control over the city, there were restrictions on the activity of the media. On September 9, the military leader of the relief effort announced that reporters would have "zero access" to efforts to recover bodies in New Orleans. Immediately following this announcement, CNN filed a [[lawsuit]] and obtained a temporary [[restraining order]] against the ban. The next day the government backed down and reversed the ban.<ref name="Media Ban">Staff Writer. "[http://edition.cnn.com/2005/LAW/09/10/katrina.media/ U.S. won't ban media from New Orleans searches]." ''CNN.'' September 11, 2005. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.</ref>
-===Retirement===
-{{See also|List of retired Atlantic hurricane names}}
-Because of the large death toll and destruction of property along the [[Gulf Coast]], the name Katrina was officially retired on April 6, 2006 by the [[World Meteorological Organization]] at the request of the U.S. government. The name will never again be used for another [[North Atlantic hurricane]]. It was replaced by [[Hurricane Katia|Katia]] on List III of the [[Atlantic hurricane naming lists]], which was used in the [[2011 Atlantic hurricane season]].<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2006/s2607.htm|title = Dennis, Katrina, Rita, Stan, and Wilma "Retired" from List of Storm Names|accessdate = August 28, 2006|date = April 6, 2006|publisher = NOAA}}</ref>
-==Reconstruction==
-{{Main|Reconstruction of New Orleans}}
-[[File:FEMA - 21590 - Photograph by Marvin Nauman taken on 01-21-2006 in Louisiana.jpg|thumb|Volunteers from [[AmeriCorps]] in New Orleans, January 2006]]
-Reconstruction of each section of the southern portion of Louisiana has been addressed in the Army Corps LACPR (Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration) Final Technical Report, which identifies areas to not be rebuilt and areas where buildings need to be elevated.<ref name="The LACPR Home Page">{{cite web|url=http://www.lacpr.usace.army.mil/|title=The LACPR Home Page|author=[[United States Army Corps of Engineers]]|publisher=[[United States Army]]|year=2009 |accessdate=2009-08-09}}</ref>
-The Technical Report includes:
-* locations of possible new levees to be built
-* suggested existing levee modifications
-* "Inundation Zones", "Water depths less than 14 feet, Raise-In-Place of Structures", "Water depths greater than 14 feet, Buyout of Structures", "Velocity Zones" and "Buyout of Structures" areas for five different scenarios.
-The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers submitted the report to the U.S. Congress for consideration, planning, and response in mid-2009.
-==Representation in other media==
-*Hurricane Katrina has also been the subject of several documentary films, including [[Spike Lee]]'s ''[[When the Levees Broke]]'', and [[Darren Martinez]]'s film, ''Hellp''.<ref>Britt, M. "Las Vegas Teen Helps Hurricane Victims In New Orleans", ''Las Vegas Daily Optic'', December 19, 2005,</ref>
-*An episode of the Fox TV series ''[[House (TV Series)|House]],'' first broadcast on May 16, 2006, featured a teenage victim of Hurricane Katrina in the medical storyline.
-*An [[Top Gear: US Special|episode]] of the [[BBC]] show ''[[Top Gear (2002 TV Series)|Top Gear]]'' was praised for being one of the first to show the full scale of the destruction after the waters had receded.
-*[[David Eggars]]' non-fiction book, ''[[Zeitoun]],'' featured an Arab-American family man caught in an anti-terrorist round-up as he was trying to help neighbors in the aftermath of the hurricane.
-==See also==
-{{Portal|New Orleans|Louisiana|Mississippi|Tropical cyclones}}
-* [[Hurricane Katrina and global warming]]
-* [[Hurricane Katrina in fiction]]
-* ''[[Hurricane on the Bayou]]''
-* [[List of Atlantic hurricanes]]
-* [[List of Category 5 Atlantic hurricanes]]
-* [[List of charity songs for Hurricane Katrina relief]]
-* [[List of Florida hurricanes (2000–present)]]
-* [[List of storms in the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season]]
-* [[Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries - Enforcement Division]]
-* [[Louisiana State Police]]
-* [[Timeline of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season]]
-* [[U.S. Army Corps of Engineers civil works controversies (New Orleans)]]
-* [[Wetlands of Louisiana]]
-* [[Hurricane Isaac (2012)|Hurricane Isaac]], a weaker storm that made landfall in New Orleans as a Category 1 hurricane on August 29, 2012 (on the seventh anniversary of Hurricane Katrina)
-==References==
-{{Reflist|30em}}
-==Further reading==
-{{refbegin|30em}}
-* {{Cite book |last=Brennan |first=Virginia |year=2009 |title=Natural Disasters and Public Health: Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma |location=Baltimore |publisher=Johns Hopkins University Press |isbn=978-0-8018-9199-1 |postscript=<!--None--> }}
-* {{Cite book |editor=Center for Public Integrity |year=2007 |title=City Adrift: New Orleans Before and After Katrina |location=Baton Rouge |publisher=LSU Press |isbn=978-0-8071-3284-5 |postscript=<!--None--> }}
-* {{Cite book |authorlink=Michael Eric Dyson |last=Dyson |first=Michael Eric |year=2006 |title=Come Hell or High Water: Hurricane Katrina and the Color of Disaster |location=New York |publisher=Perseus Books Group |isbn=0-465-01761-4 |postscript=<!--None--> }}.
-* {{Cite book |authorlink=Dave Eggers |last=Eggers |first=Dave |year=2009 |title=[[Zeitoun (book)|Zeitoun]] |location=San Francisco |publisher=McSweeney's Books |isbn=978-1-934781-63-0}}
-* {{Cite book |editor1-last=Hartman |editor1-first=Chester |editor2-last=Squires |editor2-first=Gregory D. |year=2006|title=There Is No Such Thing as a Natural Disaster: Race, Class, and Hurricane Katrina |location= |publisher=Routledge |isbn=0-415-95487-8 |postscript=<!--None--> }}.
-* {{Cite book |last=Saint-Saens |first=Alain |year=2010 |title=Ordeal at the Superdome. Escaping Katrina's Wrath |location=New Orleans |publisher=University Press of the South |isbn=1-889431-87-7 |postscript=<!--None--> }}.
-* {{Cite book |authorlink=Cathy Scott |last=Scott |first=Cathy |year=2008 |title=[[Pawprints of Katrina|Pawprints of Katrina: Pets Saved and Lessons Learned]] |location=Hoboken |publisher=[[Howell Book House]] |isbn=978-0-470-22851-7 |postscript=<!--None--> }}
-* {{Cite book |last=Spielman |first=David G. |year=2007 |title=Katrinaville Chronicles: Images and Observations from a New Orleans Photographer |location=Baton Rouge |publisher=LSU Press |isbn=978-0-8071-3252-4 |postscript=<!--None--> }}
-{{refend}}
-==External links==
-<!-- ATTENTION NEWCOMERS! If you would like to contribute, please contribute by adding information to the article or one of the many other hurricane Katrina related articles, rather than adding more external links. See the page WP:NOT on information why Wikipedia is not the right place to list lots of links. Please do not convert the boldface to subsection headers, or add any subsections to the external links, as it will prevent people from seeing this notice. -->
-{{Sister project links|Hurricane Katrina}}
-*[http://www.levees.org/ Levees.Org] non-profit flood protection group in New Orleans
-* National Hurricane Center's [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2005/KATRINA.shtml archive on Hurricane Katrina]
-* [[Hydrometeorological Prediction Center]]'s [http://web.archive.org/web/20080613172751/http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical2005/KATRINA/KATRINA_archive.shtml archive on Hurricane Katrina]
-* [http://www.nasa.gov/vision/earth/lookingatearth/h2005_katrina.html NASA's Hurricane Katrina Archive]
-* [http://www.hurricanekatrinanews.org/ Updated Hurricane Katrina News and Wetlands Information]
-* [http://www.lgs.lsu.edu/deploy/uploads/11strategies.pdf Geology and Hurricane-Protection Strategies in the Greater New Orleans Area] Louisiana Geological Survey publication on Hurricane Katrina
-* [http://websearch.archive.org/katrina/ Hurricane Katrina and Rita Web Archive]. This archive contains websites (news, personal, relief, and government) documenting the historic devastation and massive relief effort due to Hurricane Katrina. These sites were crawled between the dates of September 4 - November 8, 2005 and are preserved in this collection.
-Disaster recovery:
-* [http://www.katrinasangels.org/ Katrina's Angels Resource Coordination]
-* [http://www.city-journal.org/html/16_2_houston.html Houston's Noble Experiment] - An article in the ''[[City Journal (New York)|City Journal]]''
-* [http://www.dollarsandsense.org/archives/2007/0907evans.html The KatrinaRitaVille Express Tour] from [[Dollars & Sense]] magazine
-* [http://www.hopefloatsneworleans.com/ Hope Floats New Orleans - Disaster Relief - Helping Those In Need]
-* [http://www.hurricane-katrina.org/ Beyond Katrina: The Voice of Recovery est. 8/28/2005]
-Images:
-* [http://www.streetgangs.com/katrina/ Hurricane Katrina's Aftermath Photos by StreetGangs.com]
-* [http://www.photosfromkatrina.com/ Photographs and Video of Hurricane Katrina's Aftermath]
-* [http://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/goes/misc/050829/050829.html Weather satellite imagery] ([[University of Wisconsin–Madison]])
-* [http://www.davidmetraux.com/news/2006/hurricane_katrina.html Photographs of Hurricane Katrina's Aftermath]
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-[[Category:Hurricane Katrina| ]]
-[[Category:Category 5 Atlantic hurricanes]]
-[[Category:Retired Atlantic hurricanes]]
-[[Category:Federal Emergency Management Agency critics]]
-[[Category:George W. Bush administration controversies]]
-[[Category:2005 Atlantic hurricane season]]
-[[Category:Urban decay in the United States]]
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-[[da:Orkanen Katrina]]