Gulf Coast (Hurricane Katrina)

Hurricane Katrina was a powerful storm that struck the Gulf Coast in 2005, causing devastating damage, especially in New Orleans. It formed in the Gulf of Mexico, strengthened into a Category 3 hurricane, and made landfall, flooding large areas due to storm surges and heavy rains. The storm overwhelmed levees designed to protect the city, leading to widespread flooding, loss of life, and displacement of residents. The disaster highlighted issues in emergency response and infrastructure resilience, prompting significant reforms. Katrina remains one of the costliest and most destructive hurricanes in U.S. history, fundamentally impacting the affected communities.