Introduction
In August of 2005, the Gulf Coast and the city of New Orleans were forever changed when Hurricane Katrina struck, causing severe damage from Florida to Texas. This page is designed to help you understand the places that were affected by the storm and how a series of decisions made throughout history led to the destruction of the property and livelihoods of people living in the region, as well as taking more than 1,800 lives.
Click the points of interest on the interactive map above to learn more about each location. Use the timeline to understand the circumstances that led to the failure of the levees and click through to the resources below to learn more about hurricanes, natural disasters and what the Gulf Oil Spill could mean for the region.
Timeline of a Disaster
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August 23, 2005
Tropical Depression Twelve forms over the southwestern Bahamas.
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August 25, 2005
Hurricane Katrina makes landfall in Florida as a category one storm.
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August 26, 2005
Katrina's predicted track moves from the Florida panhandle to the MS and LA coast; LA Gov. Kathleen Blanco declares a stage of emergency in LA.
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August 27, 2005
A voluntary evacuation is called for and New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin announces the Superdome would be open as a "shelter of last resort" during the storm.
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August 28, 2005
Katrina reaches category 4 intensity; Mayor Nagin orders a mandatory evacuation of Orleans parish.
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August 29, 2005
Katrina makes landfall; the 17th street canal, the Industrial Canal and MR-GO all fail; by 9 am there is 6-8 feet of water in the Lower Ninth Ward.
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August 31, 2005
80% of the city is underwater; national guard troops arrive in LA, MS, AL, and FL; President Bush surveys the flooding from Air Force One.
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September 1, 2005
Mayor Ray Nagin calls for supplies and assistance with evacuations.
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September 13, 2005
As the water begins to recede, residents of New Orleans are allowed to return home briefly and journalists report from a nearly empty city. Watch Video »
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September 25, 2005
Hurricane Rita makes landfall just west of New Orleans, complicating recovery efforts.
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2006
Uncertainty remains as former residents are unable to return home and those who have returned are unable to rebuild.
Watch Video » -
2006-2010
Thousands of volunteers, particularly young people, flock to the region to contribute to the rebuilding efforts, which are ongoing.
Watch Video » -
September 13, 2007
Musician's Village, a Habitat for Humanity re-building project, breaks ground in the Upper Ninth Ward, on what will be 72 homes for musicians and their families.
Watch Video » -
November 18, 2009
A federal judge rules that the Army Corps of Engineers, responsible for the maintenance of the MR-GO, was at fault for the levee breaches that flooded the Lower Ninth Ward and St. Bernard Parish.
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February 7, 2010
The New Orleans Saints win the Superbowl; the city celebrates.
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April 20, 2010
The Deepwater Horizon drilling rig explosion.
Watch Video » -
August 25, 2010
FEMA awards $1.8 billion to the Recovery School District for construction and rebuilding projects in New Orleans.
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August 29, 2010
New Orleans and Gulf Coast Residents are still recovering from Hurricane Katrina and the oil spill as they remember the storm five years ago.
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1718
New Orleans is founded by French settlers along the relatively high ground on the banks of the Mississippi.
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1803
The United States purchases 828,800 square miles of territory, which includes the city of New Orleans, for 15 million dollars from France in the Louisiana Purchase.
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1850's
The 17th Street Canal is dug through a swampy area in conjunction with the construction of the Jefferson and Lake Pontchartrain Railway.
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1923
The Industrial Canal opens.
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1927
The Great Mississippi River Flood.
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1965
Hurricane Betsy hits, flooding the Ninth Ward.
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1968
The Mississippi River Gulf Outlet (MR-GO) opens.
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1969
Hurricane Camille strikes the Gulf Coast.
Watch Video »
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Katrina's Impact
Interactive features walk you through understanding how Hurricane Katrina affected New Orleans.
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Hurricane Headquarters
Learn more about these storm systems and find out how to help their victims.
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What's in a Name?
Find out how hurricanes get their names and see if your name matches a hurricane in history.
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Gulf Oil Gusher
A massive oil spill is threatening the Gulf Coast. Here's all you need to know.
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Natural Disasters
Hurricanes, wildfires, blizzards, volcanos -- find out what you didn't know about the nature of these powerful forces.
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Survival Tips
What to do if disaster strikes.
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Disaster Relief
Learn about various organizations dedicated to aiding those devastated by natural disasters.
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Just for Teachers
Get our lesson plan as a companion to our Hurricane Katrina: Five Years Later Series.
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