New Orleans Commemorates 20th Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina with Memorials and Parade
New Orleans Commemorates 20th Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina with Memorials and Parade
Twenty years after Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast, New Orleans is solemnly remembering the catastrophic storm with a series of memorials, performances, and a traditional brass band parade. The events not only honor the lives lost and communities displaced but also reflect on the city’s ongoing recovery and the pressing challenges it faces, including climate change, infrastructure decay, and gentrification.
Remembering a Catastrophe That Changed Everything
Katrina made landfall on August 29, 2005, as a Category 3 hurricane, quickly rising to Category 4 strength over the Gulf of Mexico before striking southeast Louisiana. The hurricane became the costliest in U.S. history, with inflation-adjusted damages exceeding $200 billion, and claiming roughly 1,400 lives across five states.
The storm overwhelmed New Orleans’ levee system, causing breaches that flooded approximately 80% of the city. Residents clung to rooftops or sheltered in the sweltering Superdome stadium amid dire conditions that captured global attention.
Community-Led Commemorations and the Second Line Parade
On the 20th anniversary, thousands gathered in the Lower Ninth Ward, a predominantly Black neighborhood that suffered tremendous flooding due to a levee breach and delayed government response. The commemorative event featured prayers and performances by prominent local artists like Dawn Richard and Mia X, organized by Katrina Commemoration Inc. and the Hip Hop Caucus.
The celebration included the city’s beloved “second line” brass band parade, a hallmark of New Orleans culture with roots in African American jazz funerals. The parade symbolizes healing and resilience, with a joyous procession of dancers and musicians honoring those lost and the enduring spirit of the city.
Reverend Lennox Yearwood of the Hip Hop Caucus noted, “Second line allows everybody to come together. We’re still here, and despite the storm, people have been strong and very powerful.”
Ongoing Challenges: Infrastructure, Climate, and Gentrification
The anniversary brings renewed attention to New Orleans’ ongoing battles with aging infrastructure and climate vulnerability. Despite massive rebuilding efforts, the city continues to face threats from sinking land and rising sea levels.
The Lower Ninth Ward experience underscores the continuing impact of Katrina’s aftermath. Displacement, disproportionately affecting Black residents due to loan inequities and affordable housing shortages, remains a critical issue.
Policies and Progress Since the Storm
Since Katrina, the city has seen extensive changes: the levee system was rebuilt, public schools were privatized, most public housing projects were demolished, and major healthcare facilities shuttered. Approximately 134,000 housing units were damaged.
New Orleans’ population, nearly half a million before the storm, stands at about 384,000 today as many displaced residents remain scattered nationwide, clustered in cities like Atlanta, Dallas, and Houston.
A Call for Reflection and Continued Commitment
Mayor LaToya Cantrell and community leaders urge this milestone to be more than a remembrance. It is a moment to reckon with past failures and to recommit to addressing systemic inequalities and climate resilience.
Yearwood emphasized that Katrina was not just a local disaster, but a “national moment” demanding ongoing dedication to equitable recovery and climate preparedness.
Additional commemorations include a wreath-laying at a memorial for unidentified victims, a moment of silence at 11:20 a.m., museum exhibits, and discussions focused on the city’s cultural future and recovery.