Hurricane Katrina (2005)

By charlie118

  • Day 3

    Hurricane Katrina hit the coast of Florida as a category 1 hurricane with winds at 80 mph. Florida Gov. Jeb Bush declares a State of Emergency.

  • Day 4

    Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco declares a State of Emergency. The White House deploys National Guard troops to the Gulf Coast.
    10:30 a.m. CT — Katrina intensifies to a Category 2.

  • Day 5

    5 p.m. — New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin starts a voluntary evacuation of New Orleans metro-area residents.
    Evening — Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour declares a State of Emergency.

  • Day 6

    • Becomes a Category 5 storm with winds approx. 160 mph.
    • First-ever mandatory evacuation for New Orleans residents.
    • President George W. Bush vows support to help those affected and said he signed disaster declarations for Louisiana and Mississippi.
    • National Weather Service warns significant storm surge. Alabama Gov. Bob Riley declares a State of Emergency.
    • 6 p.m. curfew.
    • About 25,000-30,000 New Orleans residents seek shelter in the Superdome.

  • Day 7

    • Makes landfall as Category 3, Gulf Coast.
    • Levee breached in Lower Ninth Ward, more breaks are reported in the Industrial Canal & 17th Street Canal. Water begins pouring into eastern New Orleans, Lower Ninth Ward & St. Bernard Parish. 1000s of people were trapped on rooftops & in attics.
    • Winds reach 125mph as peak storm surge hits Biloxi & Gulfport, Miss.
    • Storm rips hole in Superdome, putting sheltered victims at risk. Bush declares Emergency Disaster for Louisiana & Mississippi.

  • Day 8

    7 a.m. — Katrina is downgraded to a tropical storm while passing over Tennessee.
    Morning — Katrina dissipates with winds down to 35 mph. About 80% of New Orleans is covered in water as high as 20 feet.Looting begins, and officers are redirected from rescue operations to stop violence.
    Evening — Blanco orders an evacuation of the Superdome, which is surrounded by water and houses about 15,000 to 20,000 people.

  • Day 9

    Morning — Blanco orders a total evacuation of New Orleans. Texas Gov. Rick Perry opens the Houston Astrodome for evacuees coming from the New Orleans Superdome. U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt declares a public health emergency in Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana and Florida.
    Afternoon — Water levels have equalized between Lake Pontchartrain and New Orleans. Rescue crews try to reach those stranded on roofs and in hospitals, but communications are limited or out.