Spotlight on History

Katrina & Rita: 10 Years Later

This year marks the tenth anniversary of two of the most devastating hurricanes in U.S. history, Hurricane Katrina (August 29, 2005) and Hurricane Rita (September 24, 2005).  In the span of 27 days, Louisiana sustained a one-two punch from Mother Nature that forever changed the lives of millions of Louisianans and reshaped communities throughout south Louisiana.  Explore LPB’s comprehensive coverage of the aftermath of the storms and the long road to recovery.    

Louisiana: The State We’re In

The Aftermath

• Hurricane Katrina Devastates New Orleans (September 2, 2005)
• Hurricane Katrina Timeline (September 2, 2005)
• Gov. Kathleen Blanco Interview from August 30, 2005
• WWL Covers Hurricane Katrina (September 2, 2005)
• Katrina Aftermath in Baton Rouge (September 2, 2005)
• Katrina Evacuees at the Baton Rouge River Center (September 9, 2005)
• Katrina Aftermath in Jefferson Parish (September 9, 2005)
• Katrina Aftermath in Washington Parish (September 9, 2005)
• Katrina’s Impact on fishermen Peter Gerica, Harlon Pearce, and George Barisich (September 16, 2005)
• Animal Rescues in New Orleans (September 16, 2005)
• LDWF Agents Lead Search and Rescue Operations in New Orleans (September 23, 2005)
• Red Cross Shelter in Monroe (September 23, 2005)
• Hurricane Rita Aftermath in Vinton (September 30, 2005)
• UMCOR Hurricane Relief Efforts (September 30, 2005)
• LSU Medical Students Relocate to Baton Rouge (October 7, 2005)
• New Orleans Fire Department (October 7, 2005)
• Renaissance Village in Baker (December 2, 2005)
• Katrina Bird Sanctuary in Baton Rouge (December 2, 2005)
• Rita Aftermath in Cameron Parish (December 16, 2005)
• Lt. General Russel Honore on Katrina Response (April 17, 2009)
• Gov. Kathleen Blanco on Katrina Response (November 26, 2010)

The Recovery 

• Katrina, One Year Later: fishermen Peter Gerica, Harlon Pearce, and George Barisich (August 25, 2006)
• Katrina, One Year Later: Dr. Mark Cousins (August 25, 2006)
• Katrina, One Year Later: 9th Ward  (August 25, 2006)
• Rita, One Year Later: Cameron Parish (August 25, 2006)
• Rita, One Year Later: Vermilion Parish (August 25, 2006)
• Katrina, Three Years Later (August 29, 2008)
• Katrina, Five Years Later: Fisherman Peter Gerica (August 27, 2010)
• Katrina, Five Years Later: St. Bernard Project (August 27, 2010)
• Rita, Five Years Later: Cameron Parish (August 27, 2010)
• Rita, Seven Years Later: Cameron Parish (September 28, 2012)
• Rita, Nine Years Later: Cameron Parish (September 19, 2014)

Louisiana Public Square

• Katrina: The Health Aftermath (October 19, 2005)
• Hurricane Rita: The Forgotten Storm (March 29, 2006)
• The Road Home: Housing After the Storms (May 17, 2006)
• Louisiana Speaks: Our Voice, Our Plan, Our Future (January 24, 2007)
• Coastal Comeback: Louisiana and Mississippi After Katrina (August 20, 2008)
• Hurricane! Lessons Learned (August 26, 2009)

For more information on Louisiana’s hurricane history, explore the full hurricane topic here.

The LPB documentary Katrina Ten Years After: A Second Life, A Second Chance will premiere on Sunday, August 23 at 7 PM on LPB-HD with an encore presentation on Thursday, August 27 at 8 PM.  For more information, visit the LPB program page.