Hurricane Katrina
August 29, 2005 · LA, MS, AL, FL
$186 billion (inflation-adjusted to 2023)
Total Damage
1,000,000+
Homes Flooded
$41 billion
Insured Losses
$12 billion
FEMA Grants
What Happened
Katrina made landfall as a Category 3 hurricane with Category 5 storm surge. The catastrophic failure of the New Orleans levee system — not the storm itself — caused most damage. 80% of New Orleans flooded, with some areas under 15+ feet of water for weeks. The storm exposed critical gaps in flood insurance coverage and FEMA disaster response.
Rainfall Record
10–15 inches; catastrophic damage primarily from storm surge and levee failures, not rainfall
Affected Cities & States
States
Primary Cities
- New Orleans
- Biloxi
- Gulfport
- Mobile
Key Lessons for Homeowners
- 1
Levee failure is not 'flooding' under some policy definitions — thousands of claims were disputed on this basis
- 2
FEMA's initial response was widely criticized — have a 72-hour self-sufficiency plan
- 3
NFIP's $250,000 building limit is insufficient for mid-range New Orleans homes valued $300K–$700K
- 4
Extended flooding (weeks vs days) causes exponentially greater structural damage — longer flooded = higher cost
Damage & Recovery by the Numbers
- Total Economic Damage
- $186 billion (inflation-adjusted to 2023)
- Insured Losses
- $41 billion
- Homes Flooded
- 1,000,000+
- FEMA Grants Issued
- $12 billion
- FEMA Declaration #
- DR-1603
Official Resources
FEMA Declaration Number: DR-1603
Apply for federal disaster assistance at DisasterAssistance.gov — use declaration number above to look up your eligibility.
Dealing With Water Damage Now?
24/7 emergency response across all affected states
Call 24/7IICRC-certified, insurance approved
Related Resources
Other Major Events
Hurricane Katrina — Frequently Asked Questions
How much damage did Hurricane Katrina cause?
Hurricane Katrina (2005) caused $186 billion (inflation-adjusted to 2023) in total damages, with $41 billion in insured losses. Approximately 1,000,000+ homes were flooded. FEMA issued $12 billion in individual assistance grants to affected homeowners.
What are the key lessons from Hurricane Katrina for homeowners?
Key lessons from Hurricane Katrina: Levee failure is not 'flooding' under some policy definitions — thousands of claims were disputed on this basis; FEMA's initial response was widely criticized — have a 72-hour self-sufficiency plan; NFIP's $250,000 building limit is insufficient for mid-range New Orleans homes valued $300K–$700K; Extended flooding (weeks vs days) causes exponentially greater structural damage — longer flooded = higher cost.
Does homeowners insurance cover damage from events like Hurricane Katrina?
Standard homeowners insurance does NOT cover flood damage from events like Hurricane Katrina. This type of damage — surface water flooding from hurricanes and storm surge — requires separate NFIP (National Flood Insurance Program) or private flood insurance.
FEMA disaster assistance (average $12 billion per event) provides limited supplemental help for uninsured losses, but is far below typical replacement costs.
How do I apply for FEMA assistance after a disaster like Hurricane Katrina?
Apply at DisasterAssistance.gov or call 1-800-621-3362 within 60 days of the federal disaster declaration for your county. You will need your Social Security number, property address, insurance policy information, and a description of damages.
FEMA will schedule a home inspection. Processing typically takes 1-2 weeks for initial determination. If denied, you have 60 days to appeal with additional documentation.
Who do I call right now for water damage?
Call (888) 840-6512. The line is answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and connects you with an IICRC-certified water damage restoration company that serves your area. Describe what you can see — where the water is coming from, how long it has been there, and whether it smells — the more specific you are, the faster the right company is on the line.
If the source is a pipe or an appliance, shut the main water valve first. Have four things ready and the call goes quickly: the address, when the water started, what is wet now, and whether you have filed an insurance claim.
Still not sure which of these is your situation? (888) 840-6512 · toll-free · answered 24/7
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