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Science & Nature • Natural Disaster

Hurricane Katrina

Hurricane Katrina was a devastating Atlantic tropical cyclone that struck the Gulf Coast of the United States in late August 2005, causing major flooding, especially in New Orleans.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Hurricane Katrina was a devastating Atlantic tropical cyclone that struck the Gulf Coast of the United States in late August 2005, causing major flooding, especially in New Orleans. It is widely regarded as one of the deadliest and costliest hurricanes in U.S. history.

Meteorological history

Hurricane Katrina formed in late August 2005 and intensified into a powerful hurricane over the Gulf of Mexico. It reached Category 5 strength before weakening slightly ahead of landfall in Louisiana as a Category 3 storm.

Impact on the Gulf Coast

The storm affected Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, with New Orleans suffering catastrophic flooding after levee failures. The disaster caused widespread destruction, long-term displacement, and a major public-health emergency.

Casualties and damage

Sources consistently describe Katrina as one of the deadliest hurricanes to strike the United States, with 1,833 fatalities cited by NOAA and other federal sources. Damage estimates are commonly given at about US$108 billion in 2005 dollars, making it the costliest U.S. hurricane on record.

Legacy and response

Katrina prompted extensive criticism of disaster preparedness and emergency response at local, state, and federal levels. It also influenced later U.S. emergency-management policy and hurricane preparedness planning.

Key facts

  • Hurricane Katrina made landfall in Louisiana on August 29, 2005, as a Category 3 hurricane.
  • Levee failures in and around New Orleans caused severe flooding, inundating much of the city.
  • The storm displaced hundreds of thousands of people along the Gulf Coast.
  • Katrina caused 1,833 deaths and about US$108 billion in damage, making it one of the deadliest and costliest hurricanes in U.S. history.
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Canadian context

Hurricane Katrina is relevant to Canadian readers as a major North American disaster that affected climate, emergency-management policy, humanitarian response, and disaster-relief discussions across the continent.

Frequently asked questions

When did Hurricane Katrina make landfall?
It made landfall on August 29, 2005, along the Louisiana coast.
What category was Hurricane Katrina at landfall?
Katrina struck Louisiana as a Category 3 hurricane.
How many people died in Hurricane Katrina?
NOAA and related federal sources report 1,833 fatalities, including deaths from the storm and its flooding aftermath.
How much damage did Hurricane Katrina cause?
Damage is commonly estimated at about US$108 billion in 2005 dollars.
Why was New Orleans so badly affected?
Levee failures and storm surge led to extensive flooding, leaving much of the city underwater.
Was Hurricane Katrina the deadliest U.S. hurricane?
It was among the deadliest modern U.S. hurricanes, but not the deadliest in U.S. history.

References

  1. National Weather Service — https://www.weather.gov/mob/katrina
    Supports: Landfall date, category at landfall, fatalities, and damage estimate.
  2. National Geographic — https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/hurricane-katrina
    Supports: Landfall intensity, wind speed, death toll, and damage estimate.
  3. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/event/Hurricane-Katrina
    Supports: General description, deaths, damage, and significance.
  4. NOAA — https://response.restoration.noaa.gov/oil-and-chemical-spills/significant-incidents/hurricanes-katrina-and-rita
    Supports: Landfall in Louisiana, flooding in New Orleans, fatalities, and damage estimate.