On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina made landfall as a powerful Category 3 storm with winds reaching 140 miles per hour. While the city initially appeared to have "dodged a bullet" from a direct hit, the true disaster was unfolding beneath the surface. The massive storm surge, reaching 10 to 20 feet along the Louisiana coast, began to overwhelm the city's aging levee and flood-protection systems.
The story of Hurricane Katrina and New Orleans is a defining chapter in American history, characterized by catastrophic failure, profound tragedy, and an enduring spirit of resilience. The Gathering Storm Drowned City: Hurricane Katrina and New Orleans