Reflecting on Hurricane Katrina, 20 Years Later

Twenty years ago, Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast with devastating force, leaving behind a trail of destruction that reshaped communities and lives forever. It was one of the most catastrophic natural disasters in U.S. history — and the largest humanitarian response the American Red Cross has ever undertaken.

In the days that followed, nearly a quarter of a million Red Crossers — the vast majority of which were volunteers — mobilized to provide shelter, food, comfort and hope. We provided 3.8 million overnight stays in shelters across 31 states and D.C., served nearly 68 million meals, and distributed $1.5 billion in financial assistance to 1.4 million families.

Photo: Hurricane Katrina flooded the Moss Point, Mississippi, home of Gilbert and Leaster Smith, but perseverance and faith have helped them move forward. HRP case worker Judy Coleman coordinated the assistance from the American Red Cross in partnership with the Central Church of Christ that helped the Smiths’ build a new home.

But the true story goes beyond numbers. It lives in the moments of connection: a grandmother reunited with her family, a child finding safety in a shelter gym, a volunteer driving cross-country to lend a hand.

Katrina marked a turning point. It revealed the scale of coordination and partnership required in a disaster of this magnitude and underscored how inclusion and accessibility must shape every response. It reminded us that communities aren’t rebuilt by aid alone — they’re restored through listening, trust and sustained engagement.

In the years since, we’ve worked to honor those lessons. The Red Cross has modernized our disaster response systems, deepened community relationships, and invested in preparedness and resilience, especially in communities too often left behind. We carry the responsibility to respond with even greater care, accountability and readiness.

This August, as we mark two decades since the storm, we remember the lives lost and the communities forever changed. We honor the strength of survivors and the compassion of those who stepped forward to help. And we recommit ourselves to the mission that guides us still: to alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies.

You can support Red Cross disaster relief and other services by volunteering or making a blood or financial donation. More info here.