Timeline of Hurricane Katrina

Tuesday, August 23, 2005— The first weather advisory about the hurricane that would become Katrina is issued by the National Hurricane Center.

Wednesday, August 24, 200— 11 a.m.: The storm is named Katrina. It is the eleventh named storm of 2005.

Thursday, August 25, 2005— Katrina is now a Category 1 hurricane. It makes its first landfall on Florida’s southeastern coast.

Friday, August 26, 2005— Hurricane Katrina is getting stronger by the hour. It has winds of about a hundred miles an hour. The governors of Mississippi and Louisiana declare states of emergency.

Saturday, August 27, 2005— Evacuation begins in three states. Katrina is close to becoming a Category 4 hurricane.

Sunday, August 28, 2005— The mayor of New Orleans issues a mandatory evacuation order. People are bused to the Superdome and other “shelters of last resort.” Katrina is now a Category 5 hurricane.

Monday, August 29, 2005— Hurricane Katrina makes landfall in Louisiana with winds of up to 145 miles an hour. The levees in New Orleans are breaching or collapsing. Water is pouring into the city and rising fast. Katrina later hits Biloxi and Gulfport, Mississippi, destroying most of both cities.

Tuesday, August 30, 2005— The National Hurricane Center reports that the storm has winds of about thirty-five miles an hour, and there is heavy rainfall. It is the last advisory on Hurricane Katrina. The mayor of New Orleans orders a complete mandatory evacuation as the city continues to flood.

Friday, September 2, 2005— President George W. Bush, signs a $10.5 billion relief package.

Saturday, September 3, 2005— The last refugees in the Superdome are rescued.

Tuesday, September 6, 2005— The mayor of New Orleans orders that people be removed by force from the city.

Monday, September 19, 2005— People who had been allowed back into New Orleans are evacuated again because of Hurricane Rita.

Saturday, September 24, 2005— Hurricane Rita makes landfall just west of where Katrina hit.

Tuesday, October 4, 2005— The official death toll from Hurricane Katrina is estimated at over 1,800. Most of the deaths were in Louisiana. Hundreds of people are still missing.

Thursday, April 6, 2006— The name Katrina is retired from the list of hurricane names. It is designated the most destructive storm in US history.