Katrina20: The Storm That Changed Everything marks 20 years since Hurricane Katrina’s landfall on the Mississippi Gulf Coast
Twenty years after Hurricane Katrina made landfall near the Mississippi coast, the region continues to reflect on the storm’s lasting impact and the long road to recovery. To commemorate the anniversary, WLOX will air an hour-long special, Katrina20: The Storm That Changed Everything, tonight at 6 p.m. on WLOX-ABC, offering a chronological look at Katrina’s approach and the devastation that followed.
Katrina’s overwhelming force and toll
– Hurricane Katrina struck on August 29, 2005, delivering one of the most catastrophic natural disasters in U.S. history.
– Storm surges along the Mississippi Gulf Coast reached nearly 30 feet.
– The hurricane remains the costliest in U.S. history, with damages exceeding $200 billion when adjusted to today’s dollars, according to the National Center for Environmental Information.
– In Mississippi alone, 172 people were killed directly by Katrina, with the storm responsible for a total of 1,392 fatalities across the United States.
From destruction to rebuilding: key infrastructure and economic changes
– The Biloxi-Ocean Springs Bridge was destroyed when the deck collapsed; rebuilding moved on a fast track due to the bridge’s critical role in commerce. The new bridge opened about 22 months after construction began, and today roughly 25,000 motorists use it daily. A pedestrian walkway was added to the rebuilt span, and fragments of the old bridge were repurposed to create the Katrina fishing reef south of Deer Island.
– The Bay St. Louis Bridge also had to be rebuilt and reopened to drivers about 20 months after Katrina. The new structure sits higher than its predecessor and includes a walking and biking path.
– The gaming industry faced a sharp downturn as floating casinos on barges were damaged or displaced. The Hard Rock in Biloxi canceled its early-September 2005 opening, and the Grand Casino barge in Gulfport was destroyed and later demolished. After the storm, land-based casinos were legalized in October 2005, enabling quick rebuilding on solid ground. Today, South Mississippi is home to twelve casinos, a testament to the region’s economic resilience and ongoing tourism appeal.
Marine Life and the coast’s wildlife story
– The Marine Life Oceanarium in Gulfport was destroyed by the storm, and multiple dolphins housed there were washed away. Three dolphins from Marine Life that survived the immediate chaos were among those eventually rescued and relocated.
– Nearly two weeks after Katrina, Marine Life staff spotted eight missing dolphins while surveying from a helicopter. The dolphins were fed, trained, and ultimately brought to Dolphin Key Atlantis in the Bahamas as a permanent home.
News coverage and community resilience
– During Katrina, WLOX stayed on the air to provide life-saving information even as the studio suffered damage. Reporters shared firsthand stories of South Mississippi’s experiences as first responders faced significant access challenges.
– Months after the storm, WLOX produced a documentary detailing the devastation and the community’s resilience—showcasing how neighbors came together to rebuild.
– Mississippi native Robin Roberts of Good Morning America reported from the Coast in the storm’s aftermath, sharing a deeply personal moment on air when she learned her mother and sister were safe. Roberts highlighted Mississippi’s experience in national coverage, emphasizing that Katrina’s impact extended beyond New Orleans.
– To mark the anniversary, WLOX will air Katrina: 20 Years After the Storm with Robin Roberts on Friday, August 29, at 7 p.m. on WLOX-ABC, featuring Roberts’ reflections and on-the-ground reporting from the coast.
Summary and reasons for hope
– Katrina reshaped the coastline’s infrastructure, economy, and community identity, spurring faster bridge rebuilds, the shift to land-based gambling, and ongoing coastal restoration and tourism recovery.
– The region’s recovery is evident in rebuilt bridges, a renewed casino sector, and a community that continues to honor its history while looking toward a more resilient future.
Key facts to know
– Storm surge nearly 30 feet; August 29, 2005 landfall.
– Mississippi direct fatalities: 172; total fatalities: 1,392.
– Damages: over $200 billion (in today’s dollars).
– Biloxi-Ocean Springs Bridge rebuilt in ~22 months; daily traffic about 25,000.
– Bay St. Louis Bridge rebuilt and opened ~20 months after Katrina.
– Twelve casinos currently operate across South Mississippi.
– Dolphins from Marine Life rescued and relocated to Dolphin Key Atlantis in the Bahamas.
– WLOX Katrina coverage continued to inform and document the recovery, culminating in specials and documentaries, including Katrina20 and the Robin Roberts feature.
Additional value for readers
– Watch schedules: Katrina20: The Storm That Changed Everything airs at 6 p.m. tonight on WLOX-ABC; the Robin Roberts program airs Friday at 7 p.m. on WLOX-ABC.
– A hopeful note: the ongoing rebuilding and diversification of the coast’s economy, along with improved infrastructure and renewed community spirit, continue to shape a more resilient Mississippi Gulf Coast.
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