Hurricane Katrina occurred between 23 and 30 August 2005. It first caused fatalities and damage in southern Florida as a category 1 hurricane. After reaching category 5 intensity over the central Gulf of Mexico, Katrina weakened to category 3 before making landfall on the northern Gulf coast. It was the costliest and one of the five deadliest hurricanes to ever strike the United States. Inundation up to 24-28 feet above ground level was observed along large portions of the Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, and Florida coast. The strongest sustained wind measured from a fixed location at the surface was 76 knots. There was a total of 1833 fatalities in the United States with about $108 billion property damage [NOAA, 2005]¹.

 

Figure: Best track positions for Hurricane Katrina, 23-30 August 2005 (Source: NOAA¹)

¹Knabb, R.D, Rhome, J. R., and Brown, D. P. (December 2005), Tropical Cyclone Report Hurricane Katrina 23-30 August 2005, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration – National Hurricane Center.

Imagery

File Name	Description	Source
Hurricane Katrina Response Imagery Viewer	Hurricane Katrina Response Images	NOAA - National Geodetic Survey - Emergency Response Imagery
Hazards Data Distribution System	Aerial imagery of the region	USGS
Satellite Images and Aerial Photographs of the Effects of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita on Coastal Louisiana	Comparison of Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) satellite imagery acquired before and after the landfalls of Katrina and Rita and classified to identify land and water demonstrated that water area increased by 217 mi2 (562 km2) in coastal Louisiana as a result of the storms	USGS

Miscellaneous

Report

File Name	Description	Source
Post Storm Data Acquisition Aerial Wind Analysis And Damage Assessment Hurricane Katrina	A report on the efforts of post storm data acquisition, aerial wind analysis and damage assessment of Hurricane Katrina	NOAA – National Weather Service
Tropical Cyclone Report Hurricane Katrina	The National Hurricane Center's Tropical Cyclone Reports (formerly called Preliminary Reports) contain comprehensive information on each storm, including synoptic history, meteorological statistics, casualties and damages, and the post-analysis best track (six-hourly positions and intensities).	NOAA – National Hurricane Center
Atlantic Hurricane Season of 2005	The Hurricane Season summaries include descriptions of named storms along with pertinent meteorological data and satellite imagery.	NOAA – National Hurricane Center
Service Assessment: Hurricane Katrina August 23-31, 2005	The NWS conducts service assessments of significant weather-related events that result in at least one fatality, numerous injuries requiring hospitalization, extensive property damage, widespread media interest, or an unusual level of scrutiny of NWS operations by the media, EMs, or elected officials. The intent of service assessments is to thoroughly evaluate the NWS performance and ensure the effectiveness of NWS products and services in meeting its mission.	NOAA - National Weather Service
Mapping and Visualization of Storm-Surge Dynamics for Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita	This report uses some of the same data sources as the FEMA products but extends the storm-surge mapping to larger areas and provides additional derived storm-surge datasets through different presentation methods.	USGS
Land Area Changes in Coastal Louisiana After Hurricanes Katrina and Rita	Analysis of land loss or change to water immediately after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita	USGS
Post Storm Assessment Report For Hurricane Katrina And Hurricane Rita	This report includes an analysis of project features, commentary on marsh conditions, as appropriate, and recommendations for repair of damaged project features	State of Louisiana – Department of Natural Resources
FEMA 549, Hurricane Katrina in the Gulf Coast: Mitigation Assessment Team Report, Building Performance Observations, Recommendations, and Technical Guidance	In response to Hurricane Katrina, FEMA deployed a Mitigation Assessment Team (MAT) to evaluate and assess damage from the hurricane and provide observations, conclusions, and recommendations on the performance of buildings and other structures impacted by wind and flood forces. The conclusions and recommendations of the report provide decision-makers with information and technical guidance that can be used to reduce future hurricane damage.	FEMA

Scientific Paper

File Name	Description	Source
New Orleans and Hurricane Katrina. IV: Orleans East Bank „Metro… Protected Basin	This paper addresses damage caused by Hurricane Katrina to the main Orleans East Bank protected basin	Journal of Geotechnical And Geoenvironmental Engineering