1 When Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast over 50 levees and flood walls failed causing 80% flooding in New Orleans and all of St Bernard Parish. More than 100,000 homes and businesses were flooded.  The construction of the levee system was the responsibility of the US Army Corps of Engineers, while the maintenance was a local responsibility.  The system was not fully completed.  However, after five investigations, it was determined that the fault of the levee system failure was that of the Army Corps of Engineers. It was also decided that the design and construction were the areas that caused the issues.

2 Not only was New Orleans damaged severely, but so were many other highly populated areas of the Gulf Coast Region of Louisiana, Mississippi and parts of Alabama and Florida.  The property and lives lost are still being rebuilt and suffering continues to this day.

3 Many businesses and communities have volunteered and given support to help along with government agencies.  Tourism has improved again, and the economy has risen along with the positive Southern attitude.