Remembering Katrina: The Things We Should Never Forget

Twenty one years ago today, Hurricane Katrina changed the Gulf Coast forever.

Katrina made landfall on August 29, 2005, as a Category 3 hurricane after reaching Category 5 strength over the Gulf. The storm caused roughly $125 billion in damage, making it the costliest hurricane in American history at the time.

More than 1,800 deaths were historically attributed to Katrina. In St. Tammany Parish, the coroner reported 7 Katrina related deaths.

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Slidell and the Northshore were hit hard. Storm surge flooded parts of the city, more than 48,000 homes across St. Tammany were damaged, and the I 10 Twin Span was nearly destroyed. Across the lake, roughly 80 percent of New Orleans flooded after levees and floodwalls failed.

More than one million people were displaced across the Gulf Coast. Homes were gone, businesses were destroyed, families were separated and entire communities were forced to rebuild.

But for those who lived through Katrina, the memories aren’t just statistics. They’re the generators, the gas lines, the blue tarps, the trees covering roads, weeks without power and neighbors helping neighbors through something none of us will ever forget.

Twenty one years later, much of the Gulf Coast has been rebuilt, but August 29 will always mean something different to those who were here.

Where were you for Hurricane Katrina?