After Hurricane Katrina, the Superdome was a ‘symbol of misery and suffering.’ 5 years later, it was the home of the champs

Editor's note: Editor’s note: A new series “New Orleans: Soul of a City” explores the many ways the city communes with its history – through music, food, sports and tradition – revealing how, 20 years after Katrina, New Orleans is louder and more resilient than ever. Watch tonight, Sunday, August 24, at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

(CNN) — On August 28, 2005, thousands of people lined up to enter the Superdome , just as they had done countless times since the stadium opened 30 years before.

Only this time, they weren’t getting ready to watch the beloved New Orleans Saints . They were seeking refuge from one of the worst natural disasters in American history: Hurricane Katrina .

Speaking to CNN for “ New Orleans: Soul of a City ” – a new four-part documentary which premieres Sund