Hurricane Katrina 20th Anniversary Events Mark August 28, 2025

New Orleans, LA - On August 28, 2025, communities across Louisiana and Mississippi held a diverse slate of commemorative activities as they observed the eve of the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina’s devastating landfall.

New Orleans Jazz Museum Panel Discussion From 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., the New Orleans Jazz Museum hosted “The State of New Orleans Culture: 20 Years After Katrina,” a public panel moderated by journalist Lolis Eric Elie. Speakers-including artists, cultural leaders, and community advocates-explored how the city’s creative sectors have shaped recovery, addressing issues such as gentrification, affordable housing, and disaster preparedness. Admission was free, with a reception beginning at 5:00 p.m.

Prytania Theatre Documentary Premiere At 6:30 p.m., the Prytania Theatre at Canal Place screened Together in the Eye: 20 Years Later, filmmaker Yasmeen Blake’s personal account of surviving Katrina without evacuation. The screening was followed by a panel discussion with Blake, her mother Adrienne Singleton, and sister Geniqua Randolph, delving into the storm’s multigenerational impact.

Guided Levee Breach Documentary in Destrehan Also at 6:00 p.m., visitors gathered at 160 West Campus Drive for a special screening of Leading Ladies of Hurricane Katrina, presented by historian Royd Anderson and Sandy Rosenthal of Levees.Org. The event, held at the East Regional Library in Destrehan, included commentary on levee failures and community resilience.

Waveland Ground Zero Museum Author’s Panel In Waveland, MS, the Ground Zero Hurricane Museum partnered with Studio Waveland to host an author’s panel and reception at 6:00 p.m. The event featured local writers whose works chronicle personal and collective experiences of Katrina’s aftermath. Admission was free, with RSVP encouraged.

Tulane Athletics “Welcome to Uptown” Episode Tulane University Athletics released a special “Welcome to Uptown” episode on ESPN+ today, highlighting the Green Wave football program’s journey through the Katrina era. The feature included interviews with current and former players and coaches, underscoring the role of collegiate sport in New Orleans’ recovery narrative.

Live Roundtable with Weather Experts At 7:00 p.m. ET, The Weather Network’s live YouTube program convened meteorologists and storm experts who were on the ground during Katrina. The roundtable revisited forecasting challenges, lessons learned, and advances in hurricane preparedness since 2005.

Across these events, communities honored the resilience shown in the storm’s wake and reaffirmed commitments to equitable recovery, disaster readiness, and the preservation of collective memory as the 20th anniversary approaches.