Latest news with #HurricaneKatrina
Irish Independent
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Top American journalist will be guest speaker at Wexford summer school
On Saturday, August 30, American journalist and author, Jim Acosta, will take to the New Ross stage at St. Michael's Theatre, to feature as an esteemed guest speaker at this year's Kennedy Summer School where the former CNN Chief White House Correspondent will take part in a conversation with Dr. Stacey Connaughton of Purdue University. Renowned for his distinguished career in journalism, Mr Acosta gained national recognition as CNN's Chief White House Correspondent, where his rigorous questioning and high-profile exchanges with former President Donald Trump made headlines worldwide. Mr Acosta joined CNN in 2007, after beginning his career in local radio and television and with CBS News, where he covered issues including the 2004 presidential election, the Iraq War and Hurricane Katrina. He covered Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton's campaigns for the 2008 presidential election at the beginning of his time at CNN, and went on to become a national political correspondent and covering Mitt Romney's 2012 presidential campaign. He was promoted to senior White House correspondent during Obama's second term as president, then became chief White House correspondent in 2018, during Donald Trump's first term as president. Mr Acosta now hosts The Jim Acosta Show on Substack and YouTube, bringing his trademark insight and analysis to audiences across the globe. His participation in the Kennedy Summer School will present a unique opportunity to hear his reflections on journalism, American politics, and the challenges facing democracy today. The 2025 Kennedy Summer School opens on Thursday, August 28, with a Schools STEM Event at the JFK Arboretum featuring Veronica Campbell, and Ciarán Seoighe, and Dr. Charles Larkin moderated by Prof Patrick Prendergast. That afternoon, Seán O'Rourke will host the popular Tea Party event with music by Sharon Clancy, compered by Seán Connick. The official opening later that evening at St Michael's Theatre, will be led by the school's co-Director and former RTÉ journalist, Eileen Dunne, followed by a screening and discussion of From That Small Island with Prof Bríona Nic Dhiarmada, Prof Jane Ohlmeyer, Dr. Brian Murphy, and composer and musician, Colm Mac Con Iomaire. Friday includes a centenary session on The Great Gatsby with Prof Kirk Curnutt. A senior government figure will speak at the Speakers' Lunch. Panels follow on various topics including local journalism with journalists Alan Corcoran, Brenda Power, Jessica O'Connor, Dave O'Connell and Bill Forry, and the Noel Whelan Interview will take place with Colm Tóibín and Sinéad McSweeney. The day ends with President Trump & Us moderated by Tony Connelly. Saturday features a Gatsby panel of Kirk Curnutt, Philip McGowan, Sarah Churchwell, Martina Mastandrea, a trade and business session with Stephen Kinsella, Brad McKinney, Gilberto Ocanas, Vasileios Madouros, Liam Byrne MP, and a panel on the Irish-American relationship including Senator Mark Daly, Larry Donnelly, Ruairi Barnwell, Linda Dorcena-Forry, moderated by Jackie Fox. The Marion and Cal Roadshow returns with Marion McKeone, Cal Thomas, and Larry Donnelly. The festival closes with a forum on the Irish Presidential election and a live performance from the New Ross District Pipe Band. For further information and for tickets, visit
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Must-watch TV this week: Rob Brydon's European road trip and Davina McCall's ITV return
This week is set to be a thrilling one for telly addicts, with new dramas and documentaries lined up. Gavin & Stacey star Rob Brydon, will keep viewers on their toes as he hosts Destination X, a new game show on BBC One that pushes thirteen individuals out of their comfort zones on a European road trip. Meanwhile, Davina McCall and Nicky Campbell are back on ITV, catching up with foundlings from previous episodes. Dan Snow and Kate Lister delve into the history of Pompeii on Channel 5. READ MORE: Love Island star Gio Russo explains why he never revealed his famous sister on show READ MORE: Watch moment Coronation Street star performs at Jack P Shepherd's wedding National Geographic and Disney provide a glimpse into the lives of Hurricane Katrina survivors, two decades after the disaster. But there's more in store for you this week - here's the rundown. I Am Raquel Welch Saturday, Sky Documentaries Raquel Welch was more than just a pin-up; she redefined what it meant to be a leading lady. This intimate portrait traces her journey from bombshell to feminist icon, highlighting the strength behind her beauty. Through archival footage and poignant interviews, Raquel unveils herself as a single mother of two, a shrewd businesswoman, and a quiet pioneer who held her ground in a male-dominated world. It's a celebration of glamour, grit, and a legacy that helped reshape Hollywood from within. Fergie, Andrew & the Scandal of South York Saturday, 8pm, Channel 5 Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew, who tied the knot in 1986, made Sunninghill Park, also known as SouthYork, their marital home. This property witnessed significant moments of their married life, from the birth and upbringing of their daughters to high-profile parties and, eventually, their separation. Once a symbol of Royal family life, the home has since been tainted with controversy. Now, this documentary delves into the history of Sunninghill Park and reveals the secrets still hidden within its walls. The Facebook Honey Trap Sunday, Amazon Prime In 2014, when Christine Robinson was brutally murdered at her South African lodge, her family's world was turned upside down. Years later, the investigation takes an unexpected turn - but it's not led by detectives. Due to a chronic illness, Christine's niece, confined to the UK, has never given up the search for the perpetrator. Using only Facebook to gather clues, she embarked on a digital quest for justice across continents. This gripping true crime documentary explores obsession, grief and determination through one woman's relentless pursuit of justice. Hurricane Katrina: Race Against Time Sunday on National Geographic, Monday on Disney+ In August 2005, Hurricane Katrina wreaked havoc in southeastern Louisiana, becoming one of the deadliest and most destructive natural disasters in the US. This raw five-part series transports viewers back to one of America's darkest periods - when lives were lost and a city was nearly submerged. This programme, told through the testimonies of survivors, doesn't just recount events, it relives them. From the chaos in the Superdrome to the heartbreak on flooded streets, it's a tribute to the resilience of survivors, a must-watch reminder of what happened - and what was left behind. Animal Park Monday, BBC1 Kate Humble and Ben Fogle return to Britain's first safari park for a brand new series of Animal Park - and it's as wild and wonderful as ever. Set in the heart of Longleat, in Wiltshire, the show offers an adorable - often dramatic - glimpse into the lives of the exotic residents and the dedicated teams who care for them. From the arrival of the park's first hippos in forty years to tensions in Lion Country, there's never a dull moment. The Nazi Cartel Tuesday, Sky What do Nazis, cocaine cartels and Bolivian politics have in common? More than you'd think. This jaw-dropping docu-thriller uncovers how Michael Levine, a DEA agent deeply undercover in Argentina, discovered that a cattle rancher named Roberto Suarez had become the Pablo Escobar of the 1970s. But the real twist? Roberto was allegedly being advised by Nazi war criminal Klaus Barbie - hiding in plain sight as Klaus Altmann. This gripping show is an insight into corruption, legacy and the power of unchecked ambition. Pompeii: Life in the City Tuesday, 9pm, 5 Pompeii comes back to life as historians Dan Snow and Dr Kate Lister reveal the reality behind the history books in this powerful new show. Kate and Dan delve into the heart of Ancient Rome, revealing everything from local delicacies to residents' bedtime routines and the dangers that once lurked in the streets of the now-mythical city. It's like stepping into real-life Pompeii, but with all the gritty details. Long Lost Family Born Without a Trace: What happened next Wednesday, ITV This emotional catch-up special revisits the heart-wrenching stories of foundlings featured in previous episodes. Hosts Davina McCall and Nicky Campbell explore what happened after the cameras stopped rolling, whether it's sisters reunited after years apart or a nurse grappling with her beginnings as a severely ill baby left in a basket. These deeply human stories about connection, identity and closure are both poignant and profound, celebrating family, fate and second chances. Destination X Wednesday, BBC1 Mystery meets strategy in Destination X - the BBC's latest high-concept reality game show hosted by Rob Brydon. Thirteen contestants travel through Europe on a bus with blacked-out windows, relying solely on clues, instincts and deductive skills to figure out their location. With wild challenges, cryptic signs and mind games at every stop, this addictive blend of The Traitors and Race Across the World is sure to keep you hooked. Buckle up! Project Runway Thursday, Disney + Fashion's most intense competition is back on the runway, with Heidi Klum returning as both host and judge. Alongside her are Nina Garcia, Law Roach and Christian Siriano, all ready to mentor a new batch of aspiring designers with high-fashion dreams. Expect avant-garde challenges, emotional meltdowns, and an increasingly difficult runway. The stakes are higher, the pressure is on, and the glamour, grit and glitter are in full swing. Marked Thursday, Netflix This gripping South African drama features Lerato Mvelase in a standout performance as Babalwa - a security guard pushed to her limits. Faced with her daughter Palesa's (Ama Qamata) life-threatening situation, Babalwa makes an unthinkable decision: betray her job to fund a miracle. But loyalty is put to the test and betrayal cuts deep, as survival comes with a chilling price. Dark, emotional and tightly woven, Marked delves into the lengths a mother will go for love - and what it truly means to lose oneself in the process. Kirstie and Phil's Love It Or List It: Brilliant Builds Friday, C4 The dynamic property pair return with the sixth series of their Brilliant Builds, delving into some of the most remarkable transformations and inherited homes from Love It or List It across five captivating episodes. Kirstie Allsopp and Phil Spencer are back on our screens, revisiting some of the most memorable episodes from their hit show. They'll be checking in on the couples they've helped over the years, seeing if they decided to stay put or move on. Expect ingenious design tips, real-life drama, and plenty of emotional moments. My Oxford Year Friday, Netflix Sofia Carson and Corey Mylchreest star in this heartwarming drama that gives romance a scholarly twist. When ambitious American Anna secures her dream spot at the University of Oxford, she doesn't anticipate falling for the charming local lad, Jamie. However, love and ambition collide in this beautiful adaptation of Julia Whelan's bestselling novel. With its cobbled streets, enchanting libraries, and poignant surprises, it's a film that will warm your heart and break it all at once.
The Guardian
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
‘There's New Orleans before and after': revisiting Hurricane Katrina in a new docuseries
Earlier this year, NFL fans from across the country descended on New Orleans for the Super Bowl. But even as the Big Easy rushed to put its best face forward for the big game and quickly turn the page from a New Year's Eve attack on its famed tourist district, there was no way of concealing the derelict homes, watermarked buildings and other ravages of Hurricane Katrina. 'On the surface, New Orleans is still the New Orleans of our imagination, where there's Bourbon Street, the French Quarter and you're drinking in the middle of the day outside,' says the Oscar-nominated director Traci A Curry. 'But for the people of this place, the people who know it, there's New Orleans before Katrina and after Katrina. A lot of us who experienced it as spectators think of it as something that happened to America – and it wasn't.' Curry's solo directorial debut, Hurricane Katrina: Race Against Time, re-examines the epic storm 20 years later. The five-part series, which was made for National Geographic and counts Ryan and Zinzi Coogler and Sev Ohanian as producers, isn't a requiem in the vein of When the Levees Broke – Spike Lee's superlative series that was just one of many works that informed this project – Curry says. Rather, it's a tragedy thriller told through forensic analysis. The biggest jump scares come in the hindsight revelations. The first episode provides a refresher on Hurricane Pam – the multi-agency, worst-case scenario planning exercise that was conducted a year before Katrina and essentially predicted everything that would happen, down to the reports of violence breaking out across the city. In Race Against Time, the clock runs down quickly while counting down the hours until the storm makes landfall, and then ticks slowly on for days as storm victims and lifesavers wait for 'the cavalry to come'. While bingeing the five-hour series, a two-year production effort, I found myself edging from horrified to heartbroken to furious as opportunistic politicking and rashes of misinformation sabotaged rescue efforts time and again. With a mix of home video and archival video footage (Curry is a former cable TV producer), the docuseries confidently stitches together a range of perspectives on the mushrooming calamity – from city leaders to emergency managers to residents who saw their lives and loved ones washed away. 'Initially our team combed through the hundreds of hours of archival material, identifying Katrina survivors who we found compelling, in the hopes that we might track them down,' Curry says. 'There were quite a few people we were unable to find, and some we found only to realize they had passed away.' Viewers will be heavily invested in the plight of Shelton Alexander – a spoken word poet who rode out the storm inside the Superdome and recorded the entire experience; a lot of his digicam footage made the final cut. 'I was fully equipped, with three batteries charged up,' he says. 'It was one of those things where I was like, I don't know what's about to happen, but I do know the water is going to come.' Race Against Time is not a story told from the top down. Former New Orleans mayor Ray Nagin, who was made a scapegoat for the Katrina aftermath, was one high-level authority figure that the production team pursued for the film – but ultimately he declined to be interviewed. Also left out is Kanye West's George W Bush slam or other impressions from pop culture that might reframe the disaster through that lens. Any digression in that direction, tempting as it surely must have been, probably would have distracted from Race Against Time's central thesis: that Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath were born from a series of compounding failures, starting with the failure to protect Louisiana's coastline. Ivor van Heerden, a respected marine scientist who warned the public and government officials about the region's potential for a devastating hurricane long before Katrina hit, blames the booming oil and gas industry for hollowing out the wooded wetlands that once gave New Orleans some natural cover. That left the city's levee system, the slapdash work of the US army corps of engineers, to absorb the brunt of the wind and storm surge. But long before those barriers gave way to river and lake water that wound up submerging 80% of New Orleans, Nagin could have helped himself and so many others by not waiting until the 11th hour to evacuate the city – essentially leaving New Orleans' many elderly, infirm and poor residents scrambling. And yet: as shockingly bad as Nagin was in the moment, he still has nothing on Mike Brown, the smug face of the inept federal response. In one damning email chain unearthed in the series, it's revealed that Brown was literally dining out in Baton Rouge while storm victims and first responders went hungry. Worse, Brown had the nerve to relate his frustrations about New Orleans evacuees contributing to long restaurant wait times and local traffic. Twenty years on, there's still no forgiving Brown – but Race Against Time does extend a measure of grace to some Katrina crisis managers. Police superintendent Eddie Compass certainly didn't help the situation by telling the media that snipers were shooting at rescue helicopters. But even that huge blunder becomes somewhat easier to appreciate once you see Compass himself as storm victim who was only reacting to the game of telephone that disrupted the information chain when the storm knocked out power throughout the city. 'One of the things I said to the team early on is that we really want to make sure we approach everyone as a human being in the series,' Curry says. 'By the time we get to episode four, there's a lot of state abuse of force and violence against citizens.' Curry also goes to lengths to show how the Katrina narrative became perverted. Many TV news outlets covered the fallout from Bourbon Street and waited dutifully for the scenes to snap into focus. When their cameras picked up on people breaking into stores for food, clothes and other supplies, Katrina went from being a human story about an unfathomable crisis on American soil to an excuse for Brown and right-leaning commentators to scold Black New Orleanians for looting businesses and damaging property. Desperation that seemed so palpable to those watching from afar was somehow lost on the actual news gatherers who should know it when they see it. 'There's a clip I think in episode four that I remember watching in real time of Wolf Blitzer as images of masses of Black people [are on screen] and he goes, 'They're so poor. They're so Black.' And yes, there were a lot of poor, Black people – but it just felt so dehumanizing and just deindividuated Black suffering. I really wanted to dismantle that, like, no, these are individuals with a life, with a story, with family, with feelings, who experienced a loss.' Race Against Time doesn't turn away from strong imagery. There are shots of lifeless bodies and talk of dying babies, but none of it is ever offered up for entertainment's sake – hardly a given in the documentary game these days. 'NatGeo was mindful that staying through five episodes can be a big ask for viewers,' Curry says. 'But overall they were very supportive of my intention to tell the story in a way that did not feel exploitative of the Katrina survivors or sensationalize the story in any way.' Eerily, the clock doesn't stop running once Race Against Time is through. The final episode is careful to point out the welter of climate crises that have continued to strike the US since Katrina's passing, and even includes footage from the recent Los Angeles wildfires taken by a producer who lost her home. Each disaster is a reminder of not only how ill-prepared we are for such events, still, but also of how hesitant we remain to reckon with the root causes that are only going to make future weather catastrophes that much more devastating – especially in Black and low-income communities, which are still suffering in the aftermath of Katrina. 'I hope this series makes us realize the urgency of recognizing that these things are going to continue to happen,' Curry says. 'I know this is sort of a dirty word these days, but we need to think about equity in the way we approach preparation for disasters. Because if we center the needs of the most vulnerable people, it's going to help everybody.' Hurricane Katrina: Race Against Time premieres on 27 July on National Geographic and will be available on Disney+ and Hulu afterward This article was amended on 28 July 2025 to correct the name of one of the film's producers. He is Sev Ohanian, not Alexis Ohanian as stated in an earlier version.
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
OKC Thunder Mailbag: How should Chris Paul be honored for contributions?
The calendar nears August, which means the NBA is in its driest part of the year. Rosters are mostly set as front offices head into vacation for the next couple of months before training camp starts. The Oklahoma City Thunder will enter the 2025-26 season with the hopes of being repeat NBA champions. They had one of the greatest seasons ever with a 68-14 regular-season record and captured the Larry O'Brien trophy. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren were all signed to new contract extensions this offseason. As the Thunder basically run it back with the same roster, Thunder Wire will conduct regular mailbags to answer questions that fans have. One question being asked is about Chris Paul. The 40-year-old signed with the LA Clippers this offseason, signaling he's going for a poetic end to his Hall of Fame career. While his impending retirement isn't officially known yet, at least one fan believes the Thunder should honor Paul for his contributions when that day comes. Not just for his 2019-20 season, but for his OKC Hornets years. He spent his first two seasons from 2005-07 there as the then-Hornets temporarily relocated due to Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. It was a test run to see if small-market OKC can support an NBA franchise. While Paul hasn't done enough to warrant his No. 3 jersey to get retired, maybe there's a nice middle ground. Even though he only spent one season on the Thunder, his contributions go beyond that. He helped mentor Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. He gave OKC fans one of its most fun seasons ever, considering expectations. It was a much-needed bounce-back campaign by Paul, where he earned All-NBA honors. When Paul visits the Thunder on the road, he usually receives applause. Being part of the Thunder Legacy Network is the best answer. Every year, the Thunder invite over alumni players to be celebrated by fans for their time in OKC. They could also throw in his time on the Hornets, too. It'd be worth a shoutout. But once Paul hangs up his sneakers, he can be the headliner for a Thunder Legacy Network weekend in a future season. It's a program the Thunder have built up in recent years. The future Hall-of-Famer is always fond of his short time in OKC and left on good terms, which is impressive considering the immediate aftermath of being traded for franchise legend Russell Westbrook.
The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Rotting corpses, rapes & gun-wielding gangs… how 30,000 Hurricane Katrina survivors fought for life in ‘human cauldron'
CRADLING her three-week-old son as shots rang out in the dark, Taffany Smith was told to scrape off his dirty nappies and use them again. "We pee on the floor," she sobbed. "We are like animals." Hurricane Katrina had already killed almost 2000 people and thousands more were battling to survive among decomposing corpses, excrement and the overwhelming stench of misery and human suffering. Advertisement 23 Thousands fought their way into the Superdome believing it would be safe Credit: ABC News 23 President Bush sent the National Guard in a bid to maintain order Credit: ABC News After the deadly storm swept away their homes, the sweltering Superdome was supposed to be an emergency refuge for desperate displaced people with nowhere else to go, for just a few hours. Instead they were plunged into a terrifying hellscape where guns, knives and drugs were rife, fighting for survival for days. Two people - including a child - were raped, blood stained the walls and used crack pipes littered the fetid floor. Riots erupted as starving children screamed day and night, waiting for salvation that took days to come. Advertisement READ MORE IN FEATURES At the time petrified 11-year-old Stacey Bodden told reporters: 'People started shooting last night." Her uncle, David Rodriguez said he heard at least seven shots and saw a man running with a gun. 'Don't shoot,' he pleaded. Amid the crime and constant threat of violence there were terrifying reports of stabbings, looting, murder and suicide. One man leapt 50 feet to his death, saying he had nothing left to live for. Advertisement Most read in The Sun 'We're not even dealing with dead bodies. They're just pushing them on the side," said New Orleans mayor Ray Nagin. More than 30,000 exhausted and traumatised people were crammed into the dank arena with no power or water for almost a week. Brad Pitt suffers huge blow in messy $20.5m legal fight with Hurricane Katrina victims after star sued over shoddy homes Out of sheer desperation, humiliated survivors were left with no choice but to use the hallways and bins as toilets. 'There is faeces on the walls,' said survivor Bryan Hebert. 'There is faeces all over the place.' Advertisement 'This is a nuthouse,' added April Thomas who fled to the arena with her 11 children but was too afraid to sleep. 'You have to fend people off constantly,' she said. 'You have to fight for your life. I wake up in the morning, and the first thing I say is: 'Where are my babies? Is everyone here?'" Evacuee Iiesha Rousell said at the time: "They're housing us like animals." High winds tore off the roof of the stadium, and as filthy water seeped in, temperatures soared, food rotted and all access to the outside world was cut. Advertisement Crowds pressed against the metal barricades that stopped them leaving, crying out for help as they waited for buses to evacuate them to safety. 23 Soldiers used luggage trolleys to move elderly and injured survivors Credit: Ed Bush 23 Stranded New Orleans residents gathered outside the Convention Centre Credit: CNN 23 Shelton Alexander managed to escape the Superdome and fled the city Credit: National Geographic Advertisement "People said they felt abandoned by humanity," said local reporter Thanh Truong. "The only way I can describe it is the smell of human suffering.' Now an unflinching new National Geographic documentary, Hurricane Katrina: Race Against Time, recalls the horror and chaos that unfolded as terrified residents struggled to survive not only the havoc wreaked by the brutal storm but then its tragic aftermath. The gripping five part series exposes how a natural disaster two decades ago rapidly descended into a gut wrenching man-made national disgrace leaving an enduring legacy that shattered millions of lives. Former marine Shelton Alexander was among those who believed they would shelter in the Superdome for hours - not days. Advertisement We are right here in the city and we're about to starve to death Superdome Survivor Shelton Alexander He said: "The National Guard was there, but nobody really was in charge. 'There were so many breakdowns of communication—it was chaos. "It started getting real crazy with the bathrooms getting backed up and everything. "Everybody was on edge. That's when it started getting a little chaotic. Advertisement 'To watch the elders suffering, patients sitting in the corner all day, unattended, it was just really bad. "We are right here in the city and we're about to starve to death or get dehydrated. Shots were fired "Not knowing if they would just hold us in there against our will and starve us to death crossed our mind. "We went to each gate, one by one, to see if they would let us out and they wouldn't. They were really holding us back.' Advertisement But, along with 18 others, Shelton was able to flee from the dire conditions Superdome in his Ford truck which was parked nearby. Ray Nagin, the then-mayor of New Orleans recalled: "I was among the people in the Superdome. I knew what was going on every minute. I did not have air conditioning nor shower facilities." Superdome manager Doug Thornton added: "We're not a hospital, we're not a hotel. We can't house people for five or six days." 23 The shelter was well ordered for the first few hours but descended into carnage Credit: KTVT-TV Advertisement 23 Hundreds begging to be allowed inside were turned away Credit: CNN But still today, many struggling to rebuild their lives blame government failure for the slow response and lack of aid - likening the widespread chaos that followed the storm to a war zone. Due to a series of systematic blunders, authorities struggled to work out a plan to evacuate them to safety. Prior to the storm, mandatory evacuation orders were issued but cops had struggled to move the poorest residents, who simply had no choice but to stay in their homes and hope for the best. Advertisement Hurricanes are common in that part of Louisiana, and Lynette Boute was among those who ignored the extreme weather warnings, preferring to stay and prepare for the city's iconic Mardi Gras festivities. 23 WWL reporter Thanh Truong stayed to describe the horrific situation Credit: Kurator/Tegna/WWL 23 Lynette Boutte survived the devastation of Hurricane Katrina Credit: National Geographic 23 Malik Rahim was among those with no choice but wait out the storm Credit: National Geographic Advertisement 'Every time this happens they try to make me leave,' she insisted. 'I said I'm not leaving my property.' But as the storm loomed the warnings became more severe and many attempting to flee had to turn back when traffic became gridlocked as the rain became torrential. Community organiser Malik Rahim added: 'Katrina hit at the worst time to be poor in America, by the end of the month you ain't got no money. 'What makes a disaster a tragedy? A tragedy is when we fail to do what we should be doing. Advertisement "And the first tragedy of Katrina was not being prepared, not having an exit strategy for the 100,000 people that we knew didn't have no means of escaping.' People said they felt abandoned by humanity. The only way I can describe it is the smell of human suffering Reporter Thanh Truong But even after the Category Five hurricane had passed over the city, flood water continued to rise at a terrifying rate and conditions quickly deteriorated. New Orleans is surrounded by a series of walls known as levees built to reduce the risk of flooding from lakes, canals and the Mississippi River - but the intensity of the storm smashed through the defences. While President Bush flew over in Air Force One and declared the situation a natural disaster, locals believed the situation was man made and could have been avoided. Advertisement They put the crisis down to the shoddy design and construction of the levees in the wake of Hurricane Betsy in the 1960s. As the levee walls collapsed, parts of the city flooded at an alarming rate, sweeping away hundreds of houses, and leaving thousands of terrified people trapped in theirs. 23 Residents tried to find refuge in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 Credit: Global Imageworks, LLC. 23 Stranded residents gathered underneath motorway bridges Credit: KTVT-TV Advertisement 23 Eventually aid arrived and was distributed to residents Credit: CNN Resident Lucrece Philips said: 'Everything changed that day. 'We heard something that sounded like an explosion. That's when the water went from the bottom of the tyre of a car to the second floor of a house within twenty minutes.' The force of the water rushing through the levees was so intense it even knocked houses off their foundations, leaving them teetering on their edges. Advertisement Residents frantically scrambling onto their rooftops and balconies in a desperate bid to reach higher ground. 23 Vulnerable residents were evacuated by plane with no idea where they were heading Credit: AP 23 Residents returned to find their homes destroyed Credit: Journeyman Pictures LTD Emergency services rushed to rescue as many as possible from dire situations by boat and helicopter. Advertisement But soon dead bodies were floating in the filthy water, which rose to more than 15 feet deep within hours. Police officer Bobby Norton said: 'Until you see it you can't imagine it.' Everything changed that day. We heard something that sounded like an explosion Lucrece Philips Meanwhile in the Superdome the situation was deteriorating fast - a second wave of more wounded and terrified people who had survived the worst night of their lives tried to cram inside. With their houses in ruins, they had no choice. Advertisement Police officer Ed Bush said: 'When the levees broke everything changed. 'They were brought to the Superdome because there was nowhere else to go. 'It was desperation - but they were coming to another hell.' By day three 30,000 desperate people were crammed into the stadium - and armed guards were stationed at the doors to prevent people trying to fight their way out. Advertisement 23 Military helicopter rescued stranded residents in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina Credit: John Keller 23 Lucrece Phillips was among the survivors Credit: National Geographic 23 Houses were flattened by the force 5 hurricane Credit: Alamy Critical situation In the surrounding streets, the city descended into lawlessness as starving people gathered on motorway bridges and flyovers, while others resorted to looting shops and supermarkets as they waited for fleets of buses and ships which had been promised to evacuate the city. Advertisement Medical facilities were overloaded, there was no phone signal and the situation was declared critical. 23 An elderly woman is carried from the Superdome after gunshots were heard Credit: AFP 23 Plans to rebuild New Orleans have been slow to take effect Credit: KXAS-NBC 5 Collection/UNT Libraries Special Collections 23 A new levee system is designed to prevent another tragedy Credit: Lightbox Entertainment Inc. Advertisement It appeared that the police had lost control as violence broke out - and when police, helicopter pilots and SWAT teams were shot at, all rescue operations were abandoned. After five days, tens of thousands were still waiting, struggling for survival and sharing what scraps of food they could find until the armed National Guard relief convoy finally rumbled into town in tanks and armoured vehicles. Slowly elderly people and children were evacuated by school buses and sent to the airport, but main roads leading out of the city were blocked, and desperate families trying to leave on foot were stopped. Malik Rahim added: 'I'm not a naive person but nothing prepared me for what happened after Katrina.' Advertisement They were brought to the Superdome because there was nowhere else to go. It was desperation - but they were coming to another hell Police officer Ed Bush Over the following months almost a million displaced refugees were rehoused in 30 different states, in the largest mass migration the US had seen since the 1930s. When the water eventually receded, many attempted to return to New Orleans but were heartbroken to find their homes vandalised and in ruins among the wreckage. In October the search for survivors ended and the official death toll stood at 1,392. Over the following years money was poured into rebuilding the levees and returning people to their communities. Advertisement A government scheme called The Road Home was set up to cover the cost of relocating, repairs and rebuilding the hardest hit areas - but thousands were told they were not eligible for payouts and found themselves caught up in overwhelming red tape. One of the worst affected neighbourhoods, the Lower Ninth Ward is still a ghost town - before the hurricane the population was over 14,000, now it is just 4,630. And, twenty years after the disaster that devastated New Orleans, experts fear that global warming and rising sea levels may mean that another natural disaster could turn into a tragedy again. 23 A baby is carried away from the superdome Credit: Reuters Advertisement 23 Evacuees from the Superdome argue line up for a bus trip to the Houston Astrodome days after Hurricane Katrina Credit: Dallas Morning News
