Hurricane Katrina (2005)

Basin

North Atlantic

Dates

August 23, 2005 to August 31, 2005

Peak strength

Category 5, 150 kt (173 mph)

Lowest pressure

902 mb (26.64 inHg)

Landfall

Yes

Accumulated cyclone energy

20.0

Tropical-storm-force wind reached

200 nmi (370 km, 230 mi) from the center at its widest

Hurricane-force wind reached

90 nmi (167 km, 104 mi) from the center at its widest

Eyewall radius at its peak

20 nmi (37 km, 23 mi)

Overall size

350 nmi (648 km, 403 mi) to the outermost closed isobar

Peak gust in the best track

185 kt (213 mph)

Fastest the center moved

24 kt (28 mph)

Identifier

AL122005

Radar at KAMX as it neared land, Aug 25, 22:30 UTC

The sources count different things and are not added together.

Landfall points the US agencies flagged in the best track. The nearest town is named from the site’s gazetteer, not from the report.

NOAA’s Storm Events database, the record National Weather Service offices compile months after a storm, as compiled March 2026.

Deaths

1,005 (1,005 direct, 0 indirect)

Injuries

122

Property damage

$32 billion

Crop damage

$1.9 billion

Events recorded

557 in 102 reports from 24 states and marine areas

State by state

What was recorded

211 hurricane (typhoon), 94 tropical storm, 59 flash flood, 39 strong wind, 37 flood, 29 tornado, 23 thunderstorm wind, 20 heavy rain, 19 high wind, 11 storm surge/tide, 10 funnel cloud, 2 marine thunderstorm wind, 1 lightning, 1 waterspout, 1 hail.

29 tornadoes and 1 waterspout recorded in the United States, strongest first.

The Weather Prediction Center attributes 3,176 rain gauge totals over the contiguous United States to this storm. The wettest reached 16.43 inches (417 mm).

WPC’s storm rainfall file, 1900 to 2020, compiled by David Roth.

The strongest winds National Weather Service offices recorded with this storm. An estimated figure is a forecaster’s judgment from the damage, not an instrument reading.

From the Storm Events narratives, unedited.

Hurricane Katrina passed 40 miles north of Key West as a category one hurricane. Katrina passed 15 miles north Dry Tortugas National Park as a category 2 hurricane. Over the Monroe County Middle Keys, maximum winds were 58 knots (67 mph) with gusts to 69 knots (80 mph) at Sombrero Key Light. Rainfall totalled 9.89 inches at Curry Hammock State Park east of Marathon, resulting in widespread rainwater flooding. Maximum storm tide was 1.5 feet above mean sea level. Minimum pressure recorded was 1000.2 mb at Long Key. Total property damage estimated at $5.5 million. One tornado occurred at Marathon...resulting in damages up to $5 million. $500K in damage resulted from wind. No fatalities or injuries reported.

Monroe/Middle Keys, Florida · Hurricane (Typhoon) · Aug 26, 13:00 UTC

Hurricane Katrina passed 40 miles north of Key West as a category one hurricane. Katrina passed 15 miles north Dry Tortugas National Park as a category 2 hurricane. Over the Monroe County Lower Keys, maximum winds were 54 knots (62 mph) with gusts to 67 knots (77 mph) at Sand Key. Rainfall totalled 10.05 inches at Key West, resulting in extensive street flooding and some residential flooding in Key West. Lowest pressure reported was 999.3 mb at Key West, and 974.4 mb at Dry Tortugas National Park. Storm tides were estimated at 2.5 feet above mean sea level at Key West. Total property damages estimated near $1 million. Most damage caused by wind and resulting rainwater intrusion to homes and businesses.

Monroe/Lower Keys, Florida · Hurricane (Typhoon) · Aug 26, 13:00 UTC

The waterspout was associated with gusty showers moving through the area at the time. The waterspout formed near the entrance to Middle River in the Chesapeake Bay, and then moved north to near Carroll Island, before quickly dissipating. There were no reports that the waterspout moved onshore.

Chesapeake Bay Pooles Is To Sandy Pt Md, Atlantic North · Waterspout · Aug 27, 14:25 UTC

Outer fringe bands of rain from Hurricane Katrina was moving across Middle Tennessee. The hurricane had already made landfall just east of New Orleans earlier in the morning. The rushing waters of a flooded creek in Portland washed out a concrete retaining wall meant to keep the nearby creek at bay. The property of Shirley Schnoes was flooded with 2 feet deep water in her crawlspace under the house located at Hunter's Crossings. Radar estimates placed the rainfall at about 4 inches around Portland.

Sumner, Tennessee · Flash Flood · Aug 29, 15:30 UTC

High winds from the eyewall of Hurricane Katrina blew down numerous trees in Wayne county as the eye of Katrina moved north. Wind gust of 60-80 mph were estimated across the county. Several of the trees fell on structures and damaged them. The dollar estimates from the damage for this will be under the main Katrina summary in this publication.

Wayne, Mississippi · Hurricane (Typhoon) · Aug 29, 17:00 UTC

Leading Creek flooded roads and washed out culverts near Alice. Near Troy, a barn and a house had water damage. West of Glenville, Sinking Creek flooded roads. Horn Creek around Cox Mills and the Right Fork of Steer Creek near Shock flooded. Near the Braxton County line, the cooperative observer near Rosedale measured 3.8 inches of rain in 24 hours, while Glenville had 2.7 inches. The majority of this rain fell in 3 hours or less time.

Gilmer, West Virginia · Flash Flood · Aug 29, 19:14 UTC

Most of the flooding occurred from the headwaters of the West Fork of the Little Kanawha River, including Walker Creek and Walnut Fork, on north, to the Arnoldsburg and Millstone vicinity. In 3 hours ending at 1600E, 3.45 inches of rain fell at the gauge near Walnut. About 75 family dwellings, 3 businesses, 1 fire hall, and a community building sustained some degree of water damage. In Arnoldsburg, 2 houses were flooded, but most of the damage was along Route 16 near Stinson, Chloe, and Minnora. Four cars, 1 truck, 1 motorcycle, and 2 four wheelers were destroyed. On Walnut Road, 30 bales of hay floated down and backed up the water at the bridge crossing Route 16. In Calhoun County, the Red Cross issued 80 cleaning kits.

Calhoun, West Virginia · Flash Flood · Aug 29, 20:00 UTC

A damage survey conducted by the Dawson County Emergency Management Director concluded that an F0 tornado has touched down just across the Dawson county line in Lumpkin county approximately 2.5 miles north of Burtsboro, or just north of Georgia Highway 9. The tornado then traveled north-northwest for almost one mile before lifting. The tornado damage path was determined to be 0.9 miles long and about 125 yards wide. Most of the damage occurred along Sheep Wallow Road off Mill Creek Road. Initial damage began at 2239 Sheep Wallow Road where 12 trees were uprooted or snapped. More damage was then reported between the 3210 and 3400 block of Sheep Wallow Road where damage occurred to a nursery. A greenhouse, warehouse, and two vehicles sustained mostly minor damage at this facility. Approximately 30 trees were also blown down on the nursery property or nearby.

Lumpkin, Georgia · Tornado · Aug 29, 22:45 UTC

Hundreds of trees and power lines were blown down countywide. At least three quarters of the county was without power for an extended period of time. Numerous structures, homes and vehicles were damaged. Some of the damage was major. Four people across the county were injured during the storm. Two people were injured when a tree fell on their mobile home. One man was injured when a tree fell onto his home. One man was injured when he left his vehicle as trees fell around him and he was subsequently hit by another vehicle.

Hale, Alabama · Tropical Storm · Aug 29, 23:00 UTC

Extensive and widespread tree and power line damage occurred across the county as Katrina affected the area. Numerous structures were damaged. A few fires were caused by downed power lines and trees. Many roadways were impassable due to fallen trees. Two men were injured when a tree fell in front of their vehicle and then slid under it.

Tuscaloosa, Alabama · Tropical Storm · Aug 29, 23:00 UTC

A damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service concluded that the F0 tornado that touched down just south of Lula continued on a nearly 11-mile long north-northwest track crossing into White county near Rogers Mill. The tornado continued for approximately three miles into White county before finally lifting about one mile west-southwest of Mossy Creek just across Georgia Highway 254. The tornado tracked through a very rural portion of White county and as such, damage was confined almost entirely to trees and a few power lines. Most of the damage was located along New Bridge and Duncan Bridge Roads. No reports of damage to structures or buildings were received from White county. The overall damage path of this tornado was 11 miles long and 50 yards wide. The portion within White county was approximately three miles long and still 50 yards wide.

White, Georgia · Tornado · Aug 30, 04:26 UTC

The remnants of Hurricane Katrina dumped heavy rains on Portage County. The rain began during the morning of the 30th and continued into the 31st. Two day rainfall totals of 2 to 5 inches were reported across the county. A spotter in in Randolph reported 5.3 inches of rain with 4.8 inches measured in Ravenna. Much of this rain fell during the evening hours of the 30th. A mobile home park east of Ravenna along State Route 59 had to be evacuated beginning at 10:19 p.m. after a nearby creek went into flood. Approximately 100 residents and 40 homes were affected by this flooding. Widespread lowland and urban flooding was reported elsewhere across the county. Several roads and streets had to be closed because of flooding. Dozens of homes and businesses sustained damage from basement of nuisance flooding.

Portage, Ohio · Flood · Aug 31, 02:00 UTC

The remnants of Hurricane Katrina dumped three to five inches of rain over parts of the Green River Basin over a 24 hour period. This caused rises on the Green River at Woodbury. Flood stage at Woodbury is 33 feet. The river crested around 36.8 feet early in the morning on September 1. Minor flooding occurs at this level. Lowlands around the town of Woodbury begin to flood. Several county roads flood at the 37 foot level.

Butler, Kentucky · Flood · Aug 31, 06:45 UTC

Remnants of Hurricane Katrina in late August dumped three to five inches of rain over the Green River Basin over a 24 hour period. This produced minor flooding at Woodbury starting early in the morning on August 31. Flood stage at Woodbury is 33 feet. The Green River crested at 36.8 feet around 5 AM EST on September 1. Minor flooding occurs at this level, with lowlands around the town of Woodbury flooding. Several county roads are covered at the 37 foot level.

Butler, Kentucky · Flood · Sep 1, 05:00 UTC

• Tropical Storm ArleneNorth Atlantic · 2005 · 1 death · $12 millionTropical Storm60 kt · 989 mb
• Tropical Storm BretNorth Atlantic · 2005 · 1 deathTropical Storm35 kt · 1002 mb
• Hurricane CindyNorth Atlantic · 2005 · 1 death · $320 millionCat 165 kt · 991 mb
• Hurricane DennisNorth Atlantic · 2005 · 42 deaths · $2.5 billionCat 4130 kt · 930 mb
• Hurricane EmilyNorth Atlantic · 2005 · 6 deathsCat 5140 kt · 929 mb
• Tropical Storm FranklinNorth Atlantic · 2005Tropical Storm60 kt · 997 mb
• Tropical Storm GertNorth Atlantic · 2005Tropical Storm40 kt · 1005 mb
• Tropical Storm HarveyNorth Atlantic · 2005Tropical Storm55 kt · 994 mb
• Hurricane IreneNorth Atlantic · 2005Cat 290 kt · 970 mb
• Unnamed tropical depressionNorth Atlantic · 2005Tropical Depression30 kt · 1008 mb
• Tropical Storm JoseNorth Atlantic · 2005 · 6 deathsTropical Storm50 kt · 998 mb
• Tropical Storm LeeNorth Atlantic · 2005Tropical Storm35 kt · 1006 mb
• Hurricane MariaNorth Atlantic · 2005Cat 3100 kt · 962 mb
• Hurricane NateNorth Atlantic · 2005Cat 180 kt · 979 mb
• Hurricane OpheliaNorth Atlantic · 2005 · 1 death · $70 millionCat 175 kt · 976 mb
• Hurricane PhilippeNorth Atlantic · 2005Cat 170 kt · 985 mb
• Hurricane RitaNorth Atlantic · 2005 · 7 deaths · $12 billionCat 5155 kt · 895 mb
• Unnamed tropical depressionNorth Atlantic · 2005Tropical Depression30 kt · 1006 mb
• Hurricane StanNorth Atlantic · 2005 · 80 deathsCat 170 kt · 977 mb
• Unnamed tropical stormNorth Atlantic · 2005Tropical Storm45 kt · 997 mb
• Tropical Storm TammyNorth Atlantic · 2005 · $25 millionTropical Storm45 kt · 1001 mb
• Unnamed tropical stormNorth Atlantic · 2005Tropical Storm40 kt · 1005 mb
• Hurricane VinceNorth Atlantic · 2005Cat 165 kt · 988 mb
• Hurricane WilmaNorth Atlantic · 2005 · 23 deaths · $21 billionCat 5160 kt · 882 mb
• Tropical Storm AlphaNorth Atlantic · 2005 · 28 deathsTropical Storm45 kt · 998 mb
• Hurricane BetaNorth Atlantic · 2005Cat 3100 kt · 962 mb
• Tropical Storm GammaNorth Atlantic · 2005 · 37 deathsTropical Storm45 kt · 1002 mb
• Tropical Storm DeltaNorth Atlantic · 2005Tropical Storm60 kt · 980 mb
• Hurricane EpsilonNorth Atlantic · 2005Cat 175 kt · 981 mb
• Tropical Storm ZetaNorth Atlantic · 2005Tropical Storm55 kt · 994 mb

A best track is the record a warning agency settles on after the storm, not what it said at the time: position, maximum sustained wind and central pressure every six hours, revised against every observation that came in later. Category is the Saffir-Simpson scale, which runs from Category 1 at 64 kt to Category 5 at 137 kt and reads wind only, so it says nothing about surge or rain. Accumulated cyclone energy adds up the square of the wind through the storm's life, so it counts strength and duration together.

Storm history from NOAA NCEI’s International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship (IBTrACS), which merges the official best track of every warning agency. Live storms, cones, watches and warnings from the National Hurricane Center and the Central Pacific Hurricane Center. Archived radar from NOAA’s Level II archive.

• Tropical cyclone report, National Hurricane Center
• Every advisory and discussion NHC issued while it was live
• Wikipedia article: Hurricane Katrina