The Storm That Changed America

Few people who experienced Hurricane Katrina will ever forget it. The August 2005 storm was one of the most destructive natural disasters in U.S. history. Its heavy rains and wind speeds of up to 175 miles per hour devastated states along the Gulf of Mexico. Dramatic news footage revealed people stranded on roofs, fleeing the churning waters below.

Katrina resulted in more than 1,800 deaths and displaced more than 1 million people. It also caused more than $160 billion in damage. 

Afterward, officials faced a stark reality—and a major challenge: Many communities in the storm’s path had not been fully prepared. What changes were needed to keep people safer in the future?

Few people who experienced Hurricane Katrina will ever forget it. The August 2005 storm was one of the most destructive natural disasters in U.S. history. Its heavy rains and wind speeds of up to 175 miles per hour destroyed states along the Gulf of Mexico. Dramatic news footage showed people trapped on roofs, trying to escape the churning waters below.

Katrina resulted in more than 1,800 deaths. More than 1 million people lost their homes. The storm also caused more than $160 billion in damage.

Afterward, officials faced a grim reality. They also faced a major challenge: Many communities in the storm’s path had not been fully prepared. What changes were needed to keep people safer in the future?

To answer that question, local, state, and U.S. officials have had to take a closer look at the hurricane’s damage and the government’s disaster response.  

The hardest-hit areas lay near the Gulf coast, in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. News reports described entire communities as “completely flattened.” 

The situation was especially dire in New Orleans, Louisiana. The city had levees—barriers to keep out floodwaters. But many of its levees failed, flooding more than 80 percent of the city. 

The federal and state governments sent tens of thousands of troops to help. Yet for many people, the aid did not come fast enough. And nearly two decades later, some areas are still trying to recover.

Local, state, and U.S. officials had to answer that question. To do so, they needed to take a closer look at the hurricane’s damage and the government’s disaster response.

The hardest-hit areas lay near the Gulf Coast, in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. News reports described entire communities as “completely flattened.”

The situation was especially serious in New Orleans, Louisiana. The city had levees, which are barriers to keep out floodwaters. But many of its levees failed. That led to flooding in more than 80 percent of the city.

The federal and state governments sent tens of thousands of troops to help. But that aid did not come fast enough for many people. And nearly two decades later, some areas are still trying to recover.

Over time, officials have identified some key factors in how Katrina caught so many places off guard. 

Multiple communities had not tested their plans for evacuating people to safe locations. Also, in those and other areas, thousands of residents couldn’t or wouldn’t leave their threatened homes. Some hospitals lost power. And the storm knocked out cell phone towers, so many people could not call for help. 

In response, the federal and state governments have made big changes. Congress passed laws to help states handle natural disasters. One law requires evacuation plans to include pets—one reason many people would not leave home during Katrina.

In addition, safeguards have been increased. Workers have built or restored hundreds of miles of levees. Building codes have also been updated in Gulf States. There are now stricter requirements for roofs, storm shutters, and even garage doors to help houses withstand hurricanes. 

Training has also improved. Officials at all levels of government now go through the same disaster exercises. As a result, they can coordinate better when storms hit, says Keri Stephens, a professor at the University of Texas at Austin. She helps communities prepare for and recover from natural emergencies. 

So far, the new measures have helped. In 2021, when Hurricane Ida hit New Orleans, the rebuilt levees worked. Ida, which knocked out power in some areas for weeks, was the most powerful storm to hit Louisiana in recent years. 

Over time, officials have recognized some key factors in how Katrina caught so many places off guard.

Multiple communities had not tested their plans for evacuating people to safe locations. Also, thousands of people in those areas could not or would not leave their threatened homes. Some hospitals lost power. And the storm knocked out cell phone towers. That meant many people could not call for help.

In response, the federal and state governments have made big changes. Congress passed laws to help states handle natural disasters. One law says that evacuation plans have to include pets. That was one reason many people would not leave home during Katrina.

In addition, safeguards have been increased. Workers have built or restored hundreds of miles of levees. Building codes have also been updated in Gulf States. There are now stricter requirements for roofs, storm shutters, and even garage doors. Such changes help houses resist hurricanes.

Training has also improved. Officials at all levels of government now go through the same disaster exercises. As a result, they work together better when storms hit, says Keri Stephens. She is a professor at the University of Texas at Austin. She helps communities prepare for and recover from natural emergencies.

So far, the new measures have helped. When Hurricane Ida hit New Orleans in 2021, the rebuilt levees worked. Ida was the most powerful storm to hit Louisiana in recent years. In some areas, it knocked out power for weeks.

Still, scientists say climate change is making extreme weather harder to predict. That is why it’s crucial for everyone, no matter where they live, to plan ahead, officials urge.

Work with your family to create a list of important contacts. Help stock an emergency supply of food and water. Also, prepare a “go bag” with cash, batteries, and important papers such as birth certificates. And don’t forget the pet carriers!  

Being prepared can help you respond safely and calmly. It makes all the difference, Stephens says.

Still, scientists say climate change is making extreme weather harder to predict. That is why it is very important for everyone to plan ahead, no matter where they live, officials say.

Work with your family to create a list of important contacts. Help set up an emergency supply of food and water. Also, prepare a “go bag.” It should include cash, batteries, and important papers such as birth certificates. And remember the pet carriers!

Being prepared can help you respond safely and calmly. It makes all the difference, Stephens says.