Hurricane Katrina made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane in Louisiana in August 2005, causing catastrophic damage. It displaced over 780,000 residents, damaged over 123,000 homes rendering 50,000 uninhabitable. Extensive flooding from levee breaches submerged entire neighborhoods under several feet of water. The recovery effort involved removing millions of gallons of toxic materials and debris, and rebuilding damaged infrastructure and homes.

1. Hurricane Katrina Eye Wall Over Slidell, LA August 29, 2005 11:30 am

2. Made landfall as a cat 4 hurricane with 165 mph sustained winds, pushing a 22-30 ft. storm surge

5. Storm Damage and Recovery Photos The Cow’s Really Did Come Home!!!

6. In six months, workers removed 25 times more debris than was removed from the World Trade Center Site

7. Interior of Homes Ravaged By Flood Waters

8. Approaching New Orleans from the West

9. 8’ of Water in the Lake View Neighborhoods

10. 1 of 350,000 Flooded and Destroyed Automobiles

11. Homes were floated off their foundations and settled on most anything!!

12. Memorial for Entire Family that Drowned in the Attic of their Home

13. Flooded Neighborhood in Slidell

14. Flooded Streets in Slidell

15. Remnants of Destroyed Homes in Waterways in Slidell

16. The Price of Living in a Forest, An estimated 18,000 trees fell in the Slidell Area

17. Steel Beams Twisted and Bent by 170 MPH Winds in Slidell

18. 100’ Pine Tree Cut Home Completely in Half, Slidell

19. The remains of the local “ U Haul Dealer ”

20. 4’ of salt water, 1’ of lake mud and everything that comes with it, Where to begin?

21. Stained glass steeple and vaulted roofs of “Our Lady of Lords” Catholic Church In Slidell were no match for the 165 MPH winds of Katrina.

22. Along with the downed trees and debris, roadways were covered with heavy silted bottom mud from the bayou’s and Lake Pontchartrain.

23. Flooded neighborhood on west side of Slidell.

24. One of the “luckier” homes on Carr Drive in Slidell

25. Standard marking system used by first responders as they searched homes for survivors. Left side of X, identifies the organization that searched home, top of X, identifies the date the search was conducted, bottom of X, identifies number of casualties found.

29. Volunteers bring their state flag, which is flown over the Storm Center offices during the week the team is working from the center. 37 states have provided mission teams!

30. 95 year old Leona, typical profile of the clients NDRI serves: senior citizen, widowed, lives alone, no insurance, fixed income and in great despair!!!

31. Leona’s written message reflects the general attitude of most of our clients

32. Gutting and cleaning of molding homes. This mold is not toxic, however the safety of our volunteers is always a top priority, henceforth the mask, gloves and white suit.

33. There’s always plenty of drywall work to be done, this young volunteer broken her arm right before the mission trip, but would not be denied the opportunity to serve.

34. Ms Rosetta, wheelchair bound, senior citizen, fixed income, no flood insurance! One of the 1 st homes repaired by UMCOR volunteers and Project Noah.