Hurricane Katrina Exposes FEMA Failures and Federal Coordination Breakdown

Hurricane Katrina made landfall on August 29, 2005, as a Category 3 storm, causing catastrophic flooding in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. Over 1,800 people died and more than 1 million were displaced. FEMA Director Michael Brown became the focal point of intense criticism for a slow and disorganized federal response. President Bush told Brown "Brownie, you're doing a heck of a job" on September 2, even as thousands remained stranded in the Superdome without adequate food or water.