Katrina was first classified as a Hurricane on August 23, 2005. Late on August 25 she reached the coast of Florida as a category 1 Hurricane. After crossing Florida, it intensified over the Golf of Mexico, attaining a category 5 rating while over water, and severely damaging offshore oil and gas rigs. On August 29, with winds reaching over 140mph, Katrina made landfall over the coast of Mississippi and Louisiana. The resulting storm surge in Mobile Bay led to flooding in Mobile, Ala. From Alabama to Louisiana a large swat of coastline went underwater and was swept away by as much as 25-30 foot storm surge (essentially all Mississippi coastline from Alabama to Louisiana) . Within two city blocks of Biloxi, two floating casinos disappeared. The rising waters of Lake Ponchetrain resulted in levy failures and consequent flooding of New Orleans. The city remained under water for several weeks.
Katrina left as many as 1,833 dead according to the National Hurricane Center, and resulted in over $80 billion damage, the reconstruction costs could go much higher. For more see NASA assessment. More than one and a half year latter the rebuilding process is the subject of much controversy. However controversial it is, building is booming. The story is always the same: money! Those who have it, spend; those who don't, suffer...
NASA Looks Back at Katrina | |
