Ten years ago on August 29, 2005, the worst natural disaster ever to strike the United States – Hurricane Katrina – made landfall along the Gulf coast of Mississippi and Louisiana. Katrina left in her wake at least 1,836 dead and 81.2 billion dollars in damage.
While Hope Force International [HFI] was only a two-year old organization at the time, HFI had the privilege of serving as a conduit to send hundreds of responders from across the U.S. into New Orleans, LA, Pearlington, MS and East Biloxi, MS – three of the hardest hit areas. HFI was on the ground within days of landfall, and remained for 4 ½ years through the rebuild phase. Here is a look back at some of those memories and personal stories…and how HFI is responding even today.
(The photos below were taken by our HFI responders in the early aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.)