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Storm Begins to Form
The tropical depression that will become Hurrican Katrina starts to form over the Bahamas. -
Storm Upgraded
Tropical depression is upgraded to tropical storm status and deemed "Katrina". Florida governor, Jeb Bush, declares a State of Emergency in southern Florida, closing schools and setting up shelters in several counties. -
Landfall on Florida Coast
Storm upgraded to hurricane in early morning. Hurrican Katrina makes landfall in Florida betwwen Hallandale Beach and Aventura, FL mid-morning as Category 1 hurricane with wind speeds up to 125 mph. Causes $1-2 billion worth or damages. Leaves 1 million without electricity. Causes 14 deaths. Loses strength while passing over land (lost hurricane status). Enters the Gulf of Mexico and starts regaining wind speeds. -
United States Coast Guards
The US Coast Guard activates more than 400 residents. State of Mississippi activated its National Guard. -
Regains Hurrican Status
Katrina regains hurricane status Category 3 in the Gulf and has doubled in size. President George W. Bush declared State of Emergency in select regions of Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi. The Dept. of Homeland Security set Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to coordinate disaster relief efforts. -
Katrina Upgraded
Upgraded to Category 5 status with 175mph sustained winds. Director of National Hurrican Center (Max Mayfield) expressed concern that Katrina may push its storm surge over New Orleans flood walls and levees. Size and strength of Katrina increases. Voluntary and mandatory evacuation orders issued for large areas of southeast Louisiana along with coastal Mississippi and Alabama. 1 million obey evacuation order and leave New Orleans. 100,000 choose to stay in city. 10,000 take shelter. -
Landfall in Louisiana
Makes landfall as Category 3 at 6:10am near Buras-Triumph, Louisiana. Breaches 53 different levees in greater New Orleans. Section of 17th Street Canal levee gives way. 80% of New Orleans flooded. Loss of life = 1,577 in Louisiana. Loss of life = 238 in Mississippi. No clean water, electricity, or communications (including cell phones) in New Orleans. Katrina moves inland and downgrades to tropical storm. -
Aftermath
Louisiana superdome evacuues transported to Astrodome in Houston, TX. Looting and violence in New Orleans (car jacking and reports of gangs armed with guns). Snipers fire at rescue helicopters. Coast Guard rescues 1,200 from rooftops in New Orleans. US military begins to move ships and helipcopters to region. FEMA begins search and recue and sets up temp hospitals for sick and injured. American Red Cross launches disaster mobilization plan. 75,000 people housed in temporary shelters by day's end -
Regaining Control
Curfew imposed in New Orleans. New Orleans 1,500-member police force ordered to abandon search and rescue missions to control widspread looting instead. Public Health Emergency was delcared for entire Gulf Coast (including New Orleans). Gas prices shoot to record highs (up to $5.00) due to disruption in oil supplies. -
Additional Resources Arrive
6,500 National Guard troops arrive in New Orleans. -
Food, water, and medical supplies
Supplies begin arriving in New Orleans for many survivors who have been without for 5 days. US Army Corps of Engineers begin operations to repair levees and repair existing pumps.