Summary
Hurricane Katrina struck the Mississippi Gulf Coast 20 years ago, causing widespread destruction. The storm damaged or destroyed nearly every home in Waveland, Mississippi, and was one of the deadliest and costliest storms in the U.S. State officials had to seek military help when initial federal aid efforts failed.
Key Facts
- Hurricane Katrina hit the Mississippi Gulf Coast on August 29, 2005.
- The hurricane brought winds of 120 miles per hour and a storm surge nearly 30 feet high.
- Approximately 1,400 people died across the Gulf Coast region due to the storm.
- In today's dollars, it is the costliest storm in U.S. history, causing around $200 billion in damages.
- The town of Waveland, Mississippi, was heavily impacted, with nearly every home damaged or destroyed.
- Over 60,000 structures were uninhabitable, and more than 25,000 were completely gone.
- Initial federal aid efforts were inadequate, and Mississippi had to rely on military assistance.
- The recovery process included a long cleanup operation that lasted a year and a half.
