2005: HURRICANE KATRINA

Hurricane Katrina lasted as a storm from August 23-30, 2005.
It was the costliest natural disaster, as well as one of the five deadliest hurricanes, in the history of the United States.
Total property damage was estimated at $81 billion, nearly triple the damage wrought by Hurricane Andrew in 1992.
The worst property damage occurred in coastal areas, such as all Mississippi beachfront towns, which were flooded over 90% in hours, as boats and casino barges rammed buildings, pushing cars and houses inland, with waters reaching 6–12 miles (10–19 km) from the beach. Floodwaters lingered for weeks.

At least 1,836 people died in the actual hurricane and in the subsequent floods, making it the deadliest U.S. hurricane since the 1928 Okeechobee hurricane.
The most significant number of deaths occurred in New Orleans, Louisiana, which flooded as the levee system catastrophically failed, in many cases hours after the storm had moved inland.

Usually hurricanes are predicted days to weeks in advance, giving communities time to prepare. However, these activities may generate fear and anxiety. Although communities can be made aware of potential danger, there is always uncertainty about the exact location of where the hurricane will impact.
When a hurricane strikes, victims experience intense thunder, rain, lightning, and wind. Consequently, startle reactions to sounds may be acute in the months that follow.
Among a few children subsequent storms may trigger panic reactions. Immediate reactions to hurricanes can include emotional and physical exhaustion.
In some instances children may experience survivor guilt (e.g., that they were not harmed, while others were killed or injured).

There is evidence that damage to the infrastructure has reduced access to mental health services, both for existing patients with mental health disorders and for those with new conditions. And yet there has been a significant and continued rise in the prevalence of mental health disorders 2 years post-Katrina, with an increase in the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder, serious mental illness and suicide ideation.
1 year after the hurricane, evacuees were assessed to be at elevated risk for post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as at high risk for depression and anxiety.