Hurricane Katrina formed over the Bahamas as a tropical depression on August 23, quickly gaining strength as it moved towards the southern coast of the United States. By August 25, it made landfall in Florida as a Category 1 hurricane with sustained winds reaching 80 mph. The storm brought heavy rainfall and strong winds to various parts of Florida, particularly impacting the city of Miami and the surrounding areas. Damage reports included uprooted trees, power outages, and localized flooding as communities prepared for the storm's trajectory towards the Gulf Coast.

Following its Florida landfall, Hurricane Katrina picked up energy from the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, rapidly intensifying into a Category 5 hurricane. On August 29, the storm would achieve its peak intensity, causing extraordinary devastation in New Orleans, Louisiana, and surrounding states. The floodwaters that surged through New Orleans after the levees broke were among the most catastrophic consequences of the hurricane, displacing thousands and leading to a large-scale humanitarian crisis.

Katrina was further notable for its role in highlighting issues related to disaster preparedness and response in the United States. While the immediate effects were felt in Florida, the broader implications became evident as the storm moved further inland, foreshadowing the devastating impact it would have on New Orleans. The aftermath led to significant discussions about infrastructure resilience, emergency management, and community recovery efforts.