MT-Katrina

Thursday, August 25th - The 11th storm of 2005, given the name Katrina and deemed a Category 1.

Friday, August 26th - After pounding Florida, Katrina heads off into the Gulf. At 11:30 AM, is upgraded to Category 2, with warnings that it will strengthen. That evening, Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour and Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco declare states of emergency.

Saturday, August 27th - 5 AM. Still in the Gulf, Natl. Hurricane Center upgrades Katrina to Category 3. Citizens are strongly urged to exit the coastline immediately. Many do, but traffic jams make this a difficult exit.

Sunday, August 28th - 2 AM Katrina upgraded to Category 4. - 7 AM Katrina upgraded to Category 5. - 10 a.m.: As Katrina hits 175 mph winds, New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin orders mandatory evacuations. - Bush declares a state of emergency in Mississippi and orders federal assistance. The National Hurricane Center says low-lying areas along the Gulf Coast could expect storm surges of up to 25 feet as the storm, with top sustained winds of 160 mph, hits early the next day.

Monday, August 29, 2005 - 4 a.m.: Hurricane Katrina is downgraded to a strong Category 4 storm. -
7 a.m.: Katrina makes landfall on the Louisiana coast between Grand Isle and the mouth of the Mississippi River. 11a.m. Katrina makes another landfall near the Louisiana-Mississippi state line with 125 mph winds. The storm's daylong rampage claims lives and ravages property in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, where coastal areas remained under several feet of water. Two major flood-control levees are breached, and the National Weather Service reports "total structural failure" in parts of New Orleans. A section of the roof of the Louisiana Superdome, where 10,000 people are taking refuge, opens. Many are feared dead in flooded neighborhoods still under as much as 20 feet of water. In Mississippi, dozens are dead and Gov. Haley Barbour describes "catastrophic damage" along the coast. More than 1.3 million homes and businesses in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama were without electricity, according to utility companies. 10 p.m.: More than 12 hours after making landfall, one of the most powerful hurricanes to hit the northern Gulf Coast in half a century is downgraded to a tropical storm. Remnants head north toward Tennessee and the Ohio River Valley, spurring harsh storms and tornadoes.