HURRICANE KATRINA FACTS

  1. Hurricane Katrina was the largest and 3rd strongest hurricane ever recorded to make landfall in the US.[1]
  2. In New Orleans, the levees were designed for Category 3, but Katrina peaked at a Category 5 hurricane, with winds up to 175 mph.[2]
  3. The final death toll was at 1,836, primarily from Louisiana (1,577) and Mississippi (238). More than half of these victims were senior citizens. Keep seniors safe and sound, and help them plan for hurricane season.[3]
  4. The storm surge from Katrina was 20-ft (six meters) high.[4]
  5. 705 people are reported as still missing as a result of Hurricane Katrina.[5]
  6. Hurricane Katrina affected over 15 million people in different ways varying from having to evacuate their homes, rising gas prices, and the economy suffering.[6]
  7. An estimated 80% of New Orleans was under water, up to 20 ft deep in places.[7]
  8. Hurricane Katrina caused $81 billion in property damages, but it is estimated that the total economic impact in Louisiana and Mississippi may exceed $150 billion, earning the title of costliest hurricane ever in US history.[8]
  9. Hurricane Katrina impacted about 90,000 square miles.[9]
  10. The region affected by the storm supported roughly 1 million non-farm jobs, and still, hundreds of thousands of local residents were left unemployed by the hurricane.[10]
  11. More than 70 countries pledged monetary donations or other assistance after the hurricane. Kuwait made the largest single pledge of $500 million, but Qatar, India, China, Pakistan and Bangladesh made very large donations as well.[11]


  1. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. “Hurricanes in History.” National Hurricane Center. Accessed March 2, 2014. http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/outreach/history/#katrina. 
  2. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. “Hurricane Katrina: A climitalogical perspective.” National Hurricane Center. Accessed March 2, 2014. http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/reports/tech-report-200501z.pdf. 
  3. Jorgenson, Ellen. “Hurricane Katrina: Humanitarian Obligations and Lessons Learned.” University of Denver.Accessed March 2, 2014. https://www.du.edu/korbel/criic/humanitarianbriefs/ellenjorgenson.pdf. 
  4. Ahrens, C Donald. “Hurricanes.” InStudyguide for meteorology today by ahrens, c. donald, isbn 9780840054999. S.l.: Academic Internet Publish, 2012. 447. 
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