TAMPA, Fla. - Katrina hit New Orleans with 125 mph winds, unleashing severe flooding after levee breaches. Over 80% of the city was underwater; stormwater pumps and levees were outdated and poorly maintained.

Thousands sought shelter at the Superdome and convention center, many suffering from heat, dehydration and lack of medical care. Federal, state and local response was slow, leaving residents stranded for days.

Timeline:

: Katrina hit New Orleans and levees failed, causing flooding to spread across the city.

: First responders, including the Coast Guard and Florida volunteers, began rescue operations.

: Thousands remained stranded in shelters, and fires, looting, and chemical contamination compound caused a crisis.

The backstory:

New Orleans was built below sea level, surround

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