SKIP TO MAIN CONTENT

Resilient. Evolved. Empowered.

KATRINA K20:

Still Standing, Still New Orleans

We are excited to welcome community events that will take place across the city to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of Katrina.

  • On Saturday, August 23

    The City of New Orleans and NORD Commission will partner with the community and United Way to host a Day of Service to improve neighborhood parks in each council district.

  • On Sunday, August 24

    We are asking our City-Wide Church Community to offer prayers of thanks and gratitude during their Sunday Services.

  • From Monday, August 25 through Friday, August 29

    A week of events will kick off to recognize the Resilience of Our People, How We Have Evolved, and Are Now Empowered for the Future.

Then on Saturday August 30, the City of New Orleans will host the Hurricane Katrina 20th Anniversary Commemorative Summit of community voices as well as honest and transparent conversation about issues and opportunities impacting our everyday lives. Thanks to all community partners and everyone involved in working on the K20 Commission and events. Stay tuned.

Remembering the impact

On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina became one of the most catastrophic natural disasters in U.S. history:

  • Over 1,300 lives lost

  • An estimated $125 billion in damages

  • Neighborhoods, businesses, and lives forever changed

Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast in late August 2005, becoming one of the deadliest and most destructive storms in U.S. history. After making initial landfall in Florida, Katrina rapidly intensified over the Gulf of Mexico before hitting Louisiana on August 29 as a Category 4 hurricane. The storm’s powerful winds and a massive storm surge overwhelmed New Orleans’ levee system, causing more than 50 breaches and flooding approximately 80% of the city. Entire neighborhoods were submerged under up to 15 feet of water, displacing tens of thousands and exposing critical failures in infrastructure and emergency response.

In the aftermath, it was New Orleans residents, neighborhoods, and grassroots groups who led much of the city’s recovery. From Common Ground Relief and the Musicians’ Village to the Vietnamese community in New Orleans East, rebuilding efforts centered on mutual aid, cultural preservation, and local leadership. Volunteer networks, faith-based organizations, and environmental initiatives worked alongside one another to restore homes, support displaced residents, and create more resilient systems. These efforts continue today, reminding us that the true strength of New Orleans lies in its people—their solidarity, creativity, and enduring commitment to rebuild from the ground up.

K20 New Orleans

UPCOMING EVENTS

20th anniversary advisory commission

Commemorating Resilience

The Hurricane Katrina 20th Anniversary Advisory Commission, established by Mayor LaToya Cantrell, honors not only what was lost—but also what was found in the wake of disaster: Courage. Unity. Resilience.

This milestone serves as a moment to:

  • Pay tribute to the lives lost and the communities displaced

  • Recognize the recovery journey of residents and responders

  • Reflect on lessons learned in emergency response, equity, and preparedness

Mayor's K20 advisory Commission

  • Ronald Burns, Sr.

  • Burnell Cotlon

    Owner | Lower 9th Ward Market

  • Dr. Takeisha Davis

    Chief Executive Officer, President | New Orleans East Hospital

  • Mardele Early

    Founding Chief Executive Officer | Lake Forest Charter School

  • Col. Terry Ebbert (ret.)

    United States Marine Corps Retired

  • Asali Ecclesiastes

    Executive Director | Efforts of Grace & Ashé Cultural Arts Center

  • Paul Flower

    Owner, President, and CEO | Woodward Design+Build, LLC

  • Andy Kopplin

    President & CEO | Greater New Orleans Foundation

  • Walt Leger III

    Attorney | Leger & Shaw

  • Pastor Fred Luter, Jr.

    Pastor | Franklin Avenue Baptist Church

  • Cyndi Nguyen

    Community Outreach Strategic Advisor | New Orleans RTA

  • Brandon "BMike" Odums

    Visual Artist

  • Joan Rhodes

  • Councilmember Oliver Thomas

    Councilmember of District E

  • Michael Williamson

    President & Chief Executive Officer | United Way of Southeast Louisiana

Learn More About Members

Mayor's K20 Subcommittees

  • arts and culture
    Chairs: Frederick "Wood" Delahoussaye & Alana Harris

  • infrastructure
    Chair: Joe Threat

  • Climate and environment
    Chair: Anna Nguyen

  • neighborhood and community engagement
    Chair: John Smart

  • communications
    Chairs: Lesley Thomas & Kourtney Williams

  • public health and safety
    Chair: Meshawn Siddiq & John Thomas

  • economic and workforce development
    Chairs: Jeffrey Schwartz & Tyra Brown

  • youth and families
    Chair: Asya Howlette

Mayor's K20 Steering Committee

  • Jonathan Henderson, Chair

    Director of Strategic Initiatives,

    Office of the Mayor

  • Meshawn Siddiq

    Deputy Director,

    Health Department

  • Anna Nguyen

    External Affairs Manager,

    Office of Resilience and Sustainability

  • Kahlida Lloyd

    Director,

    Office of Human Rights and Equity

  • Asya Howlette

    Director,

    Mayor's Office of Youth and Families

  • Frederick "Wood" Delahoussaye

    Director,

    Mayor's Office of Cultural Economy

  • Lesley Thomas

    Deputy Director of Communications

    & Special Assistant to the Mayor

  • Valerie D. Bouldin

    Director of Boards and Commissions

get involved

Together United

Attend
 upcoming events

Learn more about commemoration events

submit
 Your k20 event

Submit your K20 event for consideration

share
your story

Share your story and connect with others in the community

Contact
 & connect with us

We'd love to hear from you. Reach out to us