Hurricane Katrina

==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]] || 986–1,577*
|-
| [[Mississippi]] || 238
|-
| [[Ohio]] || 2
|-
! Total !! 1,245–1,836<ref name="MWR 2005AHS">{{cite journal |first1=John L. II |last1=Beven |first2=Lixion A. |last2=Avila |first3=Eric S. |last3=Blake |first4=Daniel P. |last4=Brown |first5=James L. |last5=Franklin |first6=Richard D. |last6=Knabb |first7=Richard J. |last7=Pasch |first8=Jamie R. |last8=Rhome |first9=Stacy R. |last9=Stewart |date=March 2008 |title=Annual Summary: Atlantic Hurricane Season of 2005 |journal=[[Monthly Weather Review]] |volume=136 |issue=3 |pages=1131–1141 |access-date=July 6, 2014 |url=http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/general/lib/lib1/nhclib/mwreviews/2005.pdf |doi=10.1175/2007MWR2074.1 |bibcode=2008MWRv..136.1109B |citeseerx=10.1.1.212.8973 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080910002905/http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/general/lib/lib1/nhclib/mwreviews/2005.pdf |archive-date=September 10, 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="DHHLouisiana">{{cite journal|first1=Joan |last1=Brunkard |first2=Gonza |last2=Namulanda |first3=Raoult |last3=Ratard |journal=Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness |date=August 28, 2008 |title=Hurricane Katrina deaths, Louisiana, 2005 |doi=10.1097/DMP.0b013e31818aaf55 |volume=2 |issue=4 |pages=215–223 |pmid=18756175 |doi-access=free}}</ref>
|-
| Missing || 135<ref name="louisiana1">{{cite report|url=http://www.dhh.louisiana.gov/offices/page.asp?ID=192&Detail=5248|title=Reports of Missing and Deceased|publisher=[[Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals]]|date=August 2, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120211020954/http://www.dhh.louisiana.gov/offices/page.asp?ID=192&Detail=5248|archive-date=February 11, 2012|location=Baton Rouge, Louisiana}}</ref>
|-
|colspan=2 | <small>*Includes out-of-state evacuees <br />counted by Louisiana</small>
|}

On August 29, 2005, Katrina's [[storm surge]] caused 53 breaches to various flood protection structures in and around the greater New Orleans area, submerging 80% of the city. A June 2007 report by the [[American Society of Civil Engineers]] indicated that two-thirds of the flooding was caused by the multiple failures of the city's floodwalls.<ref name="ASCE HKERP report">{{cite report|url=http://www.asce.org/files/pdf/ERPreport.pdf|title=The New Orleans Hurricane Protection System: What Went Wrong and Why|first=Christine F.|last=Andersen|year=2007|publisher=[[American Society of Civil Engineers]] Hurricane Katrina External Review Panel|access-date=August 27, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070702194739/http://www.asce.org/files/pdf/ERPreport.pdf|archive-date=July 2, 2007|location=Reston, Virginia|display-authors=etal}}</ref> The storm surge also devastated the coasts of Mississippi and Alabama, making Katrina one of the most destructive hurricanes, the costliest [[natural disaster]] in the history of the United States (tied with Hurricane Harvey in 2017),<ref name="NOAACostliest">{{cite report|archive-date=January 27, 2018|url-status=live |date=January 12, 2018 |title=Costliest U.S. tropical cyclones tables update|access-date=January 12, 2018|publisher=United States National Hurricane Center|url=https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/news/UpdatedCostliest.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180127083930/https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/news/UpdatedCostliest.pdf}}</ref> and the deadliest hurricane since the [[1928 Okeechobee hurricane]]. The total damage from Katrina is estimated at $125 billion (2005 [[U.S. dollars]]).<ref name="KatrinaTCR"/><ref name="katreport">{{cite report|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |work=National Weather Service |title=Hurricane Katrina Service Assessment Report |date=June 2006 |access-date=July 6, 2014 |url=http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/assessments/pdfs/Katrina.pdf |location=Silver Spring, Maryland |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219105454/http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/assessments/pdfs/Katrina.pdf |archive-date=December 19, 2013}}</ref> However, in February 2021, [[February 13–17, 2021 North American winter storm|a severe winter storm]] struck the United States, causing a [[2021 Texas power crisis|major power failure]] in Houston, which caused at least $195 billion (2021 USD) in damage in Texas. It surpassed both Katrina and Harvey to become the single-costliest natural disaster recorded in the United States.<ref name="Uri AAR">{{cite report|url=https://www.austintexas.gov/sites/default/files/files/HSEM/2021-Winter-Storm-Uri-AAR-Findings-Report.pdf|title=2021 Winter Storm Uri After-Action Review: Findings Report|author=|publisher=City of Austin & Travis County|date=November 4, 2021|accessdate=November 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211105210936/https://www.austintexas.gov/sites/default/files/files/HSEM/2021-Winter-Storm-Uri-AAR-Findings-Report.pdf|archive-date=November 5, 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>

The death toll from Katrina is uncertain, with reports differing by hundreds. According to the National Hurricane Center, 1,836 fatalities can be attributed to the storm: 1 in [[Kentucky]], 2 each in Alabama, [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]], and [[Ohio]], 14 in Florida, 238 in Mississippi, and 1,577 in Louisiana.<ref name="MWR 2005AHS"/><ref name="louisiana1"/> 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.<ref name="KatrinaTCR"/> A 2008 report by the Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness journal indicates that 966&nbsp;deaths can be directly attributed to the storm in Louisiana, including out of state evacuees, and another 20 indirectly (such as firearm-related deaths and gas poisoning). Due to uncertain causes of death with 454&nbsp;evacuees, an upper-bound of 1,440 is noted in the paper.<ref name="DHHLouisiana"/> A follow-up study by the Louisiana Department of Health & Hospitals determined that the storm was directly responsible for 1,170&nbsp;fatalities in Louisiana.<ref name="DHHLouisiana2">{{cite web |first1=Poppy |last1=Markwell |first2=Raoult |last2=Ratard |publisher=Louisiana Department of Health & Hospitals |access-date=August 25, 2015 |title=Deaths Directly Caused by Hurricane Katrina |url=http://dhh.louisiana.gov/assets/oph/Center-PHCH/Center-CH/stepi/specialstudies/KatrinaDeath1.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107162205/http://dhh.louisiana.gov/assets/oph/Center-PHCH/Center-CH/stepi/specialstudies/KatrinaDeath1.pdf |archive-date=January 7, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Federal government of the United States|Federal]] disaster declarations covered {{convert|90000|sqmi|km2}} of the United States, an area almost as large as the [[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>{{cite news|url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0509/03/cst.04.html|title=The Aftermath of Katrina|newspaper=CNN|date=September 3, 2005|access-date=July 6, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150425142259/http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0509/03/cst.04.html|archive-date=April 25, 2015|url-status=live}}</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 |newspaper=[[The McClatchy Company]] |first=Lesley |last=Clark |date=June 20, 2010 |access-date=July 6, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100720121507/http://www.thesunnews.com/2010/06/27/1555968/spill-colors-fabric-of-gulf-coastal.html |archive-date=July 20, 2010}}</ref>

===Florida, Bahamas, 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 between [[Hallandale Beach, Florida|Hallandale Beach]] and [[Aventura, Florida]] on August 25. The storm dropped heavy rainfall in portions of the [[Miami metropolitan area]], with a peak total of {{convert|16.43|in|mm|abbr=on}} in [[Perrine, Florida|Perrine]]. As a result, local flooding occurred in [[Miami-Dade County, Florida|Miami-Dade County]], damaging approximately 100&nbsp;homes. Farther south in the Florida Keys, a [[tornado]] was spawned in [[Marathon, Florida|Marathon]] on August 26. The tornado damaged a hangar at the airport there and caused an estimated $5 million in damage.<ref name="Marathon Tornado">Devenas, Andy [https://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 June 5, 2006.</ref> The rains caused flooding, and the combination of rains and winds downed trees and power lines, leaving 1.45&nbsp;million people without power. Damage in South Florida was estimated at $523 million, mostly as a result of crop damage. Twelve deaths occurred in South Florida, of which three were caused by downed trees in Broward County, three from drowning in Miami-Dade County, three were from carbon monoxide poisoning caused by generators, one was due to a vehicle accident, one occurred during debris cleanup, and one was associated with a lack of electricity.

Significant impacts were also reported in the [[Florida Panhandle]]. Although Katrina moved ashore in Louisiana and Mississippi, its outer periphery produced a {{convert|5.37|ft|m|abbr=on}} storm surge in [[Pensacola, Florida|Pensacola]]. High waves caused beach erosion and closed nearby roadways. There were five tornadoes in the northwestern portion of the state, though none of them caused significant damage. Throughout the Florida Panhandle, the storm resulted in an estimated $100&nbsp;million in damage. 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&nbsp;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] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081001220638/http://www.al.com/mobileregister/pdf/register083105a.pdf |date=October 1, 2008}}.</ref> Overall, the hurricane killed 14&nbsp;people and caused at least $623&nbsp;million in damage.

Before striking South Florida, Katrina traversed the Bahamas as a tropical storm. However, minimal impact was reported, with only "fresh breezes" on various islands.<ref name="wmo">{{cite report|url=https://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/www/tcp/documents/FINAL-REPORT-HC-28.pdf|title=RA IV Hurricane Committee Twent-Eight Session|date=2006|publisher=[[World Meteorological Organization]]|pages=58|access-date=January 30, 2015|location=San Juan, Puerto Rico|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303184209/http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/www/tcp/documents/FINAL-REPORT-HC-28.pdf|archive-date=March 3, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

Although Hurricane Katrina stayed well to the north of [[Cuba]], on August 28 it brought tropical-storm-force winds and rainfall of over {{convert|8|in|mm|abbr=on}} 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 town of Surgidero de Batabanó was 90% underwater.<ref name="Cuba damage">Staff Writer. [http://www.terradaily.com/2005/050828175451.y7y367k2.html "Flooding and power outages as 'Katrina' batters western Cuba"]. {{Webarchive|url=http://arquivo.pt/wayback/20160521180357/http%3A//www.terradaily.com/2005/050828175451.y7y367k2.html |date=May 21, 2016}}</ref>

===Louisiana===
[[File:PostVeniceLG.jpg|thumb|Flooding in [[Venice, Louisiana]]]]
[[File:Hurricane-Katrina-Buras-Louisiana-watertower-EPA.jpg|thumb|A fallen water tower in [[Buras-Triumph, Louisiana]], where Katrina made landfall]]
On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina made landfall near [[Buras-Triumph, Louisiana]], with {{convert|125|mph|km/h|-1|abbr=on}} winds, as a strong Category 3 hurricane. Although the storm surge to the east of the path of the eye in Mississippi was higher, a 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 {{convert|14|ft|m|1}}, and a {{convert|12|ft|m|1|adj=on}} storm surge was recorded in [[Grand Isle, Louisiana|Grand Isle]]. The hurricane made its 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 9:45 a.m. CDT.<ref name="KatrinaTCR"/>

Hurricane Katrina also brought heavy rain to Louisiana, with {{convert|8|-|10|in|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 {{convert|15|in|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"]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061108202531/http://www.oe.netl.doe.gov/docs/katrina/katrina_083005_1600.pdf |date=November 8, 2006}} ''Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability (OE) [[United States Department of Energy]]''. August 30, 2005. Retrieved on June 5, 2006.</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 {{convert|13|-|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 |access-date=November 3, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111216044045/http://www.fema.gov/pdf/hazard/flood/recoverydata/katrina/katrina_la_overview-n.pdf |archive-date=December 16, 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Hard-hit [[St. Bernard Parish]] was flooded because of breaching of the levees that contained a navigation channel called the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet (MR-GO) and the breach of the 40 Arpent canal levee that was designed and built by the [[Orleans Levee Board]]. The search for the missing was undertaken by the St. Bernard Fire Department because of the assets of the [[United States Coast Guard]] being diverted to New Orleans. In the months after the storm, many of the missing were tracked down by searching flooded homes, tracking credit card records, and visiting homes of family and relatives.<ref>Cannizaro, Steve. [https://web.archive.org/web/20060827225149/http://www.sbpg.net/cannizaro121705a.html "List of Missing Residents Down to 47, and More..."<!-- ellipsis in the original -->]. ''St. Bernard Parish Government (press release)''. December 17, 2005. Retrieved on June 5, 2006.</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 Plaquemines Parish 80% (7,212) were damaged.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.huduser.org/publications/pdf/GulfCoast_Hsngdmgest.pdf|title=Current Housing Unit Damage Estimates, Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma|publisher=U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development|date=February 12, 2006|access-date=June 7, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926231657/http://www.huduser.org/Publications/pdf/GulfCoast_HsngDmgEst.pdf|archive-date=September 26, 2007|url-status=live}}</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 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090306152944/http://www.ipcc.ch/pdf/assessment-report/ar4/wg2/ar4-wg2-chapter1.pdf |date=March 6, 2009}}). p. 92. Accessed December 19, 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; based on this information, the NHC concluded that much of the city likely experienced sustained winds of Category 1 or 2 hurricane strength.

Katrina's storm surge caused 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. 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 eastern New Orleans, most of [[Saint Bernard Parish, Louisiana|St. 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"]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061001094924/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4307972.stm |date=October 1, 2006}} ''[[BBC News]]'' October 4, 2005. Retrieved on June 5, 2006.</ref>

Most of the major roads traveling into and out of the city were damaged. The only major intact highway 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/katrina/index.ssf/2005/08/causeway_closed_but_hardly_damaged.html "Causeway closed but hardly damaged"]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303184141/http://www.nola.com/katrina/index.ssf/2005/08/causeway_closed_but_hardly_damaged.html |date=March 3, 2016}} ''Times Picayune''. August 31, 2005. Retrieved on June 5, 2006.</ref> However, access to downtown New Orleans and the "shelter of last resort" at the Convention Center was never closed because River Road in Jefferson Parish and Leake Avenue and Tchoupitoulas Street in New Orleans were not flooded, and would have allowed access throughout the immediate post-storm emergency period.

On August 29, at 7:40 a.m. 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]]''. [https://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/weather/july-dec05/katrina_8-29.html "Hurricane Damages Gulf Coast"]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140108154446/http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/weather/july-dec05/katrina_8-29.html |date=January 8, 2014}} ''[[Public Broadcasting Service|PBS]]''. August 29, 2005. Retrieved on June 5, 2006.</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/katrina/stories/083005_a15_hotels.html "Evacuations to hotels come with own set of hazards"]. {{webarchive|url=http://arquivo.pt/wayback/20090701215949/http://www.nola.com/hurricane/katrina/stories/083005_a15_hotels.html |date=July 1, 2009}} ''Times-Picayune''. August 30, 2005. Retrieved on June 5, 2006.</ref>

The [[Mercedes-Benz Superdome|Superdome]], which was sheltering many people who had not evacuated, sustained significant damage.<ref name="Gibson">{{cite news|last=Gibson|first=Christine|title=Our 10 Greatest Natural Disasters|publisher=American Heritage|date=August 1, 2006|access-date=February 22, 2016|url=http://www.americanheritage.com/content/our-10-greatest-natural-disasters|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304185615/http://www.americanheritage.com/content/our-10-greatest-natural-disasters|archive-date=March 4, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Two sections of the Superdome's roof were compromised and the dome's waterproof membrane was essentially 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 journal|title=Hurricane Katrina from the Airport's Point of View |publisher=Web Archive of Fly MSY website |date=September 21, 2005 |access-date=February 22, 2016 |url=http://www.flymsy.com/Katrinastory.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060312180732/http://www.flymsy.com/Katrinastory.htm |archive-date=March 12, 2006}}</ref>

Levee breaches in New Orleans also caused a significant number of deaths, with over 700 bodies recovered in New Orleans by October 23, 2005.<ref>Warner, Coleman; Travis, Robert. [https://web.archive.org/web/20051027003351/http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/frontpage/index.ssf?%2Fbase%2Fnews-4%2F113005097377980.xml "Where They Died"]. ''Times-Picayune''. October 23, 2005. Retrieved on June 5, 2006.</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"]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060901054457/http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/09/09/katrina.morgue/index.html |date=September 1, 2006}} ''CNN''. September 9, 2005. Retrieved on June 5, 2006.</ref>

[[File:New Orleans Survivor Flyover.jpg|thumb|A U.S. coast guardsman searches for survivors in New Orleans in the Katrina aftermath.]]
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. An estimated 215 bodies were found in nursing homes and hospitals in New Orleans,<ref name="USA20051017">{{cite news |first1=Robert |last1=Davis |first2=Kevin |last2=Johnson |title=La. looks into 215 Katrina deaths – Inquiry includes euthanasia report |newspaper=USA Today |location=Arlington, VA |date=October 17, 2005}}</ref> the largest number being at [[Memorial Medical Center and Hurricane Katrina|Memorial Medical Center]] where 45 corpses were recovered.<ref>{{cite news|last=Canfield|first=Sabrina|title=Hospital Settles Katrina Deaths Class Action|url=http://www.courthousenews.com/2011/03/24/35204.htm|access-date=March 4, 2014|newspaper=Courthouse News Service|date=March 24, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923210827/http://www.courthousenews.com/2011/03/24/35204.htm|archive-date=September 23, 2015}}</ref> Some 200 patients at [[Charity Hospital (New Orleans)|Charity Hospital]] were not evacuated until Friday, September 2, having been without power or fresh water for five days.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2005/US/09/03/katrina.hospitals/ |title=Patients finally rescued from Charity Hospital |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |website=cnn.com |publisher=Cable News Network |access-date=August 19, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160828021301/http://edition.cnn.com/2005/US/09/03/katrina.hospitals/ |archive-date=August 28, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> 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"]. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051023070941/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2002520986_katmyth26.html |date=October 23, 2005}} ''Seattle Times''. September 26, 2005. Retrieved on June 5, 2006.</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://thesocietypages.org/socimages/2011/08/27/imprisoned-disaster-political-will-and-hurricane-katrina/ The Fate of Prisoners during Hurricane Katrina] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121204023801/http://thesocietypages.org/socimages/2011/08/27/imprisoned-disaster-political-will-and-hurricane-katrina/ |date=December 4, 2012}}, ''The Society Pages'', August 27, 2011. Retrieved November 28, 2012.</ref><ref>[http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/oct2005/katr-o01.shtml New Orleans prisoners left to drown after Katrina struck] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121028035429/http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/oct2005/katr-o01.shtml |date=October 28, 2012}}, ''World Socialist Web Site'', October 1, 2005. Retrieved November 28, 2012.</ref><ref>[https://www.aclu.org/files/pdfs/prison/oppreport20060809.pdf Abandoned & Abused: Report on the effects of Hurricane Katrina on New Orleans Prisons (PDF)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160326051655/https://www.aclu.org/files/pdfs/prison/oppreport20060809.pdf|date=March 26, 2016}} ([https://www.aclu.org/prisoners-rights/abandoned-and-abused] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150314210237/https://www.aclu.org/prisoners-rights/abandoned-and-abused|date=March 14, 2015}}), ''American Civil Liberties Union'', August 9, 2006. Retrieved November 28, 2012.</ref>

===Mississippi===
{{Main|Effects of Hurricane Katrina in Mississippi}}
[[File:Structural Bridge Damage.jpg|thumb|[[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 extremely severe 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 |access-date=September 27, 2006 |first=Haley |last=Babour |publisher=Office of the Governor, Mississippi |url=http://www.governorbarbour.com/Recovery/news/2006/jan/information.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928025331/http://www.governorbarbour.com/Recovery/news/2006/jan/information.html |archive-date=September 28, 2007}}</ref> Katrina traveled up the entire state; as a result, 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 3 hurricane with sustained winds of {{convert|120|mph|km/h|-1|abbr=on}}.<ref name="KatrinaTCR"/> Katrina's powerful right-front quadrant passed over the west and central Mississippi coast, causing a powerful {{convert|27|ft|m|1|adj=on}} storm surge, which penetrated {{convert|6|mi|km|0}} inland in many areas and up to {{convert|12|mi|km|0}} 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 {{convert|135|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} 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 {{convert|8|-|10|in|mm}} falling in southwestern Mississippi and rain in excess of {{convert|4|in|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. [https://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/09/01/katrina/main810916.shtml "Mississippi Coast Areas Wiped Out"]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060827100659/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/09/01/katrina/main810916.shtml |date=August 27, 2006}} ''[[CBS News]]''. September 1, 2005. Retrieved on June 5, 2006.</ref> and that storm surges traveled as much as {{convert|6|mi|km|0}} 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"/>

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 (architecture)|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 [[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 | date = November 2005 | access-date = July 16, 2006 | publisher = FEMA | url = http://www.fema.gov/pdf/hazard/flood/recoverydata/katrina/ms_overview.pdf | author-link = Federal Emergency Management Agency | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151120205158/http://www.fema.gov/pdf/hazard/flood/recoverydata/katrina/ms_overview.pdf | archive-date = November 20, 2015 | url-status = live}}</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|-1}} east of Katrina's landfall near the Louisiana-Mississippi border was flooded from storm 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 people throughout the state experienced power outages.<ref name="Power failures"/>

===Southeast United States===
{{see also|Effects of Hurricane Katrina in Alabama}}
[[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 {{convert|12|to(-)|16|ft|m}} around [[Mobile Bay]],<ref name=KatrinaTCR/> with higher waves on top. Sustained winds of {{convert|67|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} were recorded in [[Mobile, Alabama]], and the storm surge there was approximately {{convert|12|ft|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 {{convert|1.5|mi|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"/>
[[File:Katrina Bayou La Batre 2005 boats ashore.jpg|thumb|[[Bayou La Batre]]: cargo ship and fishing boats were grounded]]
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 {{convert|3|in|mm}} of rain falling in several areas. At least 18 tornadoes formed in Georgia on August 29, 2005, 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 three injuries and one fatality and damaged several houses. 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. [https://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 April 14, 2010.</ref>

Eastern [[Arkansas]] received light rain from the passage of Katrina.<ref name="rain">{{cite web|year=2005|title=Hurricane Katrina Rainfall Summary|publisher=[[Hydrometeorological Prediction Center]]|access-date=November 4, 2006|url=http://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/katrina2005.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130514150939/http://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/katrina2005.html|archive-date=May 14, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> Gusty winds downed some trees and power lines, though damage was minimal. 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.

===Other U.S. states and Canada===
{{more citations needed section|date=August 2017}}<!--only last paragraph has citations-->
[[File:Katrina 2005 rainfall.gif|thumb|right|Total rainfall from Katrina in the United States. Data for the [[New Orleans]] area is not available.]]
In [[Kentucky]], rainfall from Katrina compounded flooding from a storm that had moved through during the previous weekend. A 10-year-old girl drowned in [[Hopkinsville, Kentucky|Hopkinsville]]. Dozens of businesses were closed and several families evacuated due to rising floodwaters.<ref>Staff Writer. [http://www.wave3.com/Global/story.asp?S=3782760 "Hopkinsville Swamped By Floodwaters; 10-Year-Old Drowns"]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070709155439/http://www.wave3.com/Global/story.asp?S=3782760 |date=July 9, 2007}} ''[[WAVE (TV)|WAVE]]''. September 6, 2005. Retrieved on June 5, 2006.</ref> 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. [https://web.archive.org/web/20060523081840/http://www.wkyt.com/Global/story.asp?S=3782559 "Gov. Fletcher Declares Three Kentucky Counties Disaster Areas"]. ''[[WKYT]]''. Accessed on April 18, 2006. Retrieved on April 14, 2010.</ref><ref>Blanton, Carla; Goins, Michael; Whitaker, Jodi. [https://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 April 14, 2010.</ref> Additionally, wind gusts up to {{convert|72|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} resulted in some damage. Downed trees and power lines were reported in several counties in western Kentucky, especially [[Calloway County, Kentucky|Calloway]] and [[Christian County, Kentucky|Christian]] counties. Overall, more than 10,000&nbsp;utility customers in western Kentucky experienced power outages. The remnants of Katrina spawned a tornado in [[Virginia]], damaging at least 13&nbsp;homes in [[Marshall, Virginia|Marshall]]. In addition, approximately 4,000&nbsp;people lost electricity. Over {{convert|3|in|mm|abbr=on}} of rain fell in portions of [[West Virginia]], causing localized flooding in several counties. At least 103&nbsp;homes and 7&nbsp;buildings suffered some degree of water damage. A number of roads and bridges were inundated or washed out. The remnants of Katrina produced locally heavy precipitation in northeast Ohio, ranging from about {{convert|2|to|4|in|mm|abbr=on}}. Numerous streams and rivers overflowed their banks, forcing the closure of several roads, including [[Interstate 90 in Ohio|Interstate 90]] in [[Cleveland]]. Two deaths occurred due to a flood-related automobile accident in [[Huron County, Ohio|Huron County]]. Additionally, hundreds of homes and businesses suffered flood damage.

Katrina spawned five tornadoes in [[Pennsylvania]], though none resulted in significant damage. Up to {{convert|5|in|mm|abbr=on}} of rain fell in western [[New York (state)|New York]]. Gusty winds also left approximately 4,500&nbsp;people in [[Buffalo, New York|Buffalo]] without electricity. The remnants of Katrina brought {{convert|3|to|6|in|mm|abbr=on}} of rain to portions of Massachusetts, causing flash flooding in [[Bristol County, Massachusetts|Bristol]] and [[Plymouth County, Massachusetts|Plymouth]] counties. Several roads were closed due to floodwater inundation in [[Acushnet, Massachusetts|Acushnet]], [[Dartmouth, Massachusetts|Dartmouth]], [[New Bedford, Massachusetts|New Bedford]], and [[Wareham, Massachusetts|Wareham]], including [[Massachusetts Route 18|Route 18]] in New Bedford. Very minimal impact was reported in [[Rhode Island]], with winds downing a tree and two electrical poles in the city of [[Warwick, Rhode Island|Warwick]]. In [[Vermont]], {{convert|2.5|in|mm|abbr=on}} of rain in [[Chittenden County, Vermont|Chittenden County]] caused cars to hydroplane on [[Interstate 89]], resulting in many automobile accidents. The storm brought {{convert|3|to|5|in|mm|abbr=on}} of precipitation to isolated areas of Maine and up to {{convert|9|in|mm|abbr=on}} near [[Patten, Maine|Patten]]. Several roads were inundated or washed out by overflowing brooks and streams, including sections of [[U.S. Route 1]] and Maine [[Maine State Route 11|routes 11]] and [[Maine State Route 159|159]]. Several structures and one parked vehicle were also affected by the waters. Wind gusts up to {{convert|60|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} also impacted parts of Maine, felling trees and causing power outages in [[Bar Harbor, Maine|Bar Harbor]], [[Bar Harbor, Maine|Blue Hill]], [[Dover-Foxcroft, Maine|Dover-Foxcroft]], [[Sedgwick, Maine|Sedgwick Ridge]], and [[Sorrento, Maine|Sorrento]].

In Canada, the remnants of Katrina brought rainfall amounts in excess of {{convert|3.94|in|mm|abbr=on}} to many locations between the [[Niagara Peninsula]] and the [[Saint Lawrence River]] valley.<ref>{{cite report|url=http://www.ec.gc.ca/ouragans-hurricanes/default.asp?lang=en&n=3DB833A6-1|title=Canadian Tropical Cyclone Season Summary for 2005|date=January 15, 2014|publisher=[[Environment Canada]]|access-date=January 31, 2015|location=[[Gatineau, Quebec]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150220231001/http://www.ec.gc.ca/ouragans-hurricanes/default.asp?lang=en&n=3DB833A6-1|archive-date=February 20, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> Severe local flooding occurred in [[Quebec]], forcing the evacuations of dozens of homes in some communities as rivers began overflowing their banks and sewage systems were becoming overwhelmed by the influx of precipitation. Inundated and washed out roads, including [[Quebec Route 138|Route 138]] along the north shore of the Saint Lawrence River, [[Quebec Route 172|Route 172]] north of [[Tadoussac]], and [[Quebec Route 385|Route 385]] near [[Forestville, Quebec|Forestville]] left several communities isolated for at least a week.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/rain-from-katrina-washes-out-quebec-north-shore-roads-1.553266|title=Rain from Katrina washes out Quebec north shore roads|date=September 1, 2005|newspaper=[[CBC News]]|access-date=January 31, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150222025710/http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/rain-from-katrina-washes-out-quebec-north-shore-roads-1.553266|archive-date=February 22, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>