Hurricane Katrina Orleans 2005 New 1 Hurricane Katrina

Hurricane Katrina Orleans, 2005 New

1. Hurricane Katrina was the largest and 3 rd strongest hurricane ever recorded to make landfall in the US. In New Orleans, the levees were designed for Category 3, but Katrina peaked at a Category 5 hurricane, with winds up to 175 mph. 2. The final death toll was at 1, 836, primarily from Louisiana (1, 577) and Mississippi (238). More than half of these victims were senior citizens. 3. The storm surge from Katrina was 20 -ft (six meters) high. 4. As of 2014, 705 people are reported as still missing as a result of Hurricane Katrina.

A picture soon emerged of the serious situation on the ground, with many residents forced onto rooftops to desperately seek help from passing rescue helicopters. BBC News.

Two people play instruments on a rooftop on Canal Street at sunset after Hurricane Katrina hit the area August 29, 2005 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Katrina was downgraded to a Category Four storm as it approached New Orleans.

National Guard members carry a handicapped man into a waiting UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter near the New Orleans Superdome while conducting humanitarian assistance operations Sept. 3, 2005 in New Orleans, La. (Photo: GETTY)

Hundreds of people wait for evacuation buses on the side of Interstate 10 in New Orleans. Many of them were suffering from dehydration after hours of waiting in the heat. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times / August 31, 2005)

Hundreds gather in hopes of a ride out of New Orleans. New emergencies continued to threaten thousands of refugees, and efforts were underway to evacuate the city. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times / August 31, 2005)

People wait to board evacuation buses in New Orleans on Wednesday night. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times / August 31, 2005)

Soldiers help an elderly woman onto a truck in New Orleans. (Mark Wilson / Getty Images / August 31, 2005)

President Bush looks out the window of Air Force One as he flies over New Orleans. The plane, on its way to Washington from Texas, descended to about 5, 000 feet to allow Bush to survey some of the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina. (Jim Watson AFP/Getty Images / August 31, 2005)