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[[Image:NOAA-Hurricane-Katrina-Aug28-05.jpg|right|300px|thumb|God's idea of a joke, on August 28, 2005]]

[[Image:NOAA-Hurricane-Katrina-Aug28-05.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Hurricane Katrina, on August 28, 2005]]

'''Hurricane Katrina''' in August 2005 was one of the strongest and most devastating storms to impact the coast of the [[United States]] during the last 100 years. With sustained winds during landfall of 125 mph (110 kts) (a strong category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale) and minimum central pressure the third lowest on record at landfall (920 mb), Katrina caused widespread devastation along the central Gulf Coast states of the U.S., with the cities of [[New Orleans]], [[Louisiana]], [[Mobile]], [[Alabama]], and Gulfport, [[Mississippi]] bearing the brunt of Katrina's force, which caused $81.2 billion in damage.   

'''Hurricane Katrina''' in August 2005 was one of the strongest and most devastating storms to impact the coast of the [[United States]] during the last 100 years. With sustained winds during landfall of 125 mph (110 kts) (a strong category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale) and minimum central pressure the third lowest on record at landfall (920 mb), Katrina caused widespread devastation along the central Gulf Coast states of the U.S., with the cities of [[New Orleans]], [[Louisiana]], [[Mobile]], [[Alabama]], and Gulfport, [[Mississippi]] bearing the brunt of Katrina's force, which caused $81.2 billion in damage.   

==The tropical storm==

==The tropical storm==

From the Gulf states (principally Louisiana and Mississippi), the loss of life is estimated to be 1,836 people. It is clearly one of the most devastating [[Natural disasters|Acts of God]] in recent US history. From Katrina's first landfall in Florida, while it was at category one strength, initial estimates suggest 11 deaths resulted.  

From the Gulf states (principally Louisiana and Mississippi), the loss of life is estimated to be 1,836 people. It is clearly one of the most devastating [[Natural disasters|Acts of God]] in recent US history. From Katrina's first landfall in Florida, while it was at category one strength, initial estimates suggest 11 deaths resulted.  

===Flooding===

===Flooding===

[[File:Katrina flooding New Orleans.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Why god why?!]]

[[File:Katrina flooding New Orleans.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Extent of flood damage within the city of New Orleans (NOAA)]]

The loss of life and property damage was worsened by breaks in the levees that separate New Orleans from surrounding lakes. At least 80% of New Orleans was under flood water on August 31st, largely as a result of levee failures from Lake Pontchartrain. The combination of strong winds, heavy rainfall and storm surge led to breaks in the earthen levee after the storm passed, leaving some parts of New Orleans under 20 feet of water. Storm surge from Mobile Bay led to inundation of Mobile, Alabama causing imposition of a dusk-to-dawn curfew for the City. Large portions of Biloxi and Gulfport, Mississippi were underwater as a result of a 20 to 30+ foot storm surge which flooded the cities.  

The loss of life and property damage was worsened by breaks in the levees that separate New Orleans from surrounding lakes. At least 80% of New Orleans was under flood water on August 31st, largely as a result of levee failures from Lake Pontchartrain. The combination of strong winds, heavy rainfall and storm surge led to breaks in the earthen levee after the storm passed, leaving some parts of New Orleans under 20 feet of water. Storm surge from Mobile Bay led to inundation of Mobile, Alabama causing imposition of a dusk-to-dawn curfew for the City. Large portions of Biloxi and Gulfport, Mississippi were underwater as a result of a 20 to 30+ foot storm surge which flooded the cities.  

===Oil industry===

===Oil industry===

==Political repercussions==

==Political repercussions==

[[File:Mer2006-03p1a.jpg|right|200px|thumb|You think this is funny God?!]]

[[File:Mer2006-03p1a.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Flooded school buses in New Orleans]]

The disaster fueled partisan criticism of the response of federal officials, causing significant political damage to the administration of President [[George W. Bush]]. In particular, deaths of 1,836 people were rather pointedly blamed on President Bush and his appointees, on the grounds that their response was "too little, late."

The disaster fueled partisan criticism of the response of federal officials, causing significant political damage to the administration of President [[George W. Bush]]. In particular, deaths of 1,836 people were rather pointedly blamed on President Bush and his appointees, on the grounds that their response was "too little, late."