Hurricane Katrina, which struck the Gulf Coast of the United States in August 2005, had a devastating impact on Black communities, particularly in New Orleans. The storm exposed and exacerbated racial and socioeconomic disparities in terms of disaster preparedness, response, and recovery.

Many Black residents in New Orleans were disproportionately affected by the storm due to factors such as poverty, lack of access to transportation, and inadequate infrastructure in their neighborhoods. A significant number of Black residents lacked the resources to evacuate and were left behind in the city as the storm hit.

The response to the disaster was widely criticized for its slow and ineffective nature, particularly in providing aid and assistance to the predominantly Black communities that were hardest hit. The failures of government agencies at the local, state, and federal levels highlighted systemic issues related to race, poverty, and inequality.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Black communities faced challenges in rebuilding their homes and lives, as well as in accessing resources and support to recover from the disaster. The storm brought attention to longstanding disparities in areas such as housing, education, and healthcare, and sparked conversations about the need for more equitable and just policies in the face of natural disasters.

Hurricane Katrina has become a pivotal moment in Black history, symbolizing the ongoing struggles for racial justice and equality in the United States. The disaster serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing systemic issues that disproportionately impact marginalized communities in times of crisis.