On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina struck southeastern Louisiana, becoming one of the deadliest natural disasters in U.S. history. The powerful storm devastated the Gulf Coast and flooded New Orleans, leaving thousands of residents stranded and forced to fight for survival on their own.
Now, nearly 20 years later, National Geographic will premiere HURRICANE KATRINA: RACE AGAINST TIME, a gripping five-part documentary series that tells the story of the hurricane through the eyes of those who lived it. The series will air in two parts: the first three episodes will premiere on Sunday, July 27, and the final two on Sunday, August 3. All episodes will air from 21:00 (CAT) on National Geographic (DStv 181 and StarTimes 220).
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Produced by award-winning filmmakers Simon Chinn and Jonathan Chinn (Lightbox), alongside Ryan Coogler’s Proximity Media, the series blends powerful storytelling with the lessons learned over the past two decades. Viewers will get an up-close look at the disaster’s personal, political, and social impact.
“This is more than just a story about a hurricane,” say the executive producers. “It’s a deep look at how systems failed, and the long-lasting effects of the choices made during and after the storm.”
The series features rare archival footage and emotional eyewitness accounts, offering a raw and detailed timeline of how the storm unfolded and its devastating aftermath. Directed by Oscar-nominated Traci A. Curry (Attica), the documentary focuses on the real experiences of survivors, first responders, and officials who were in New Orleans at the time.
With voices often left out of the mainstream narrative, HURRICANE KATRINA: RACE AGAINST TIME brings a new perspective and reminds us of the resilience of those who endured one of America’s greatest tragedies.
Episodes of the new documentary series include the following:
- EPISODE 1: THE COMING STORM
It’s a typically vibrant New Orleans summer when Hurricane Katrina looms. Sitting in the bullseye of a Category 5, the city faces a reality check. With a delayed evacuation order, many are trapped and forced to brace for the storm’s fury. Residents recount for the first time how they navigated the impending disaster, capturing the harrowing experience of preparing for “The Big One.”
- EPISODE 2: WORST CASE SCENARIO
After Hurricane Katrina passed, citizens soon discovered the levees breached, quickly flooding New Orleans like a bathtub. First responders and everyday citizens jumped in heroically to save locals; many residents were forced to flee their houses for dry land. As residents braved dangerous conditions to survive, ineptitude at all levels of government was exposed as the water rose.
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- EPISODE 3: A DESPERATE PLACE
Three days into the flood, rescue operations continue around the clock. Thousands remain trapped, as the government struggles to coordinate a rescue effort. Inside the Superdome, stories of resilience and survival emerge above the sometimes-horrific conditions. Meanwhile, media coverage shifts to emphasize disorder, focusing on looting rather than the thousands still stranded.
- EPISODE 4: SHOOT TO KILL
In post-Katrina New Orleans, Gen. Honoré leads rescue efforts amid pressure to use force, while local heroes tirelessly save lives. Thousands remain stranded in their homes, the Superdome, the convention center, and along the interstate as evacuation efforts continue to fail. Tensions rise while violence erupts and militias target residents.
- EPISODE 5: WAKE UP CALL
New Orleans’ resilient residents exit the city, forming part of the Katrina diaspora. As they navigate the uncertainty of how and when they might restore their lives, a plan for a new New Orleans takes shape. The future of the devastated city hangs in the balance as its residents struggle to return, rebuild and restart their lives even 20 years later.
HURRICANE KATRINA: RACE AGAINST TIME is a Lightbox production, in association with Proximity Media for National Geographic and is directed by Oscar-nominated Traci A. Curry. Oscar-winning Simon Chinn, Emmy-winning Jonathan Chinn, Myles Estey and Ted Skillman are executive producers for Lightbox. Oscar, Golden Globe and GRAMMY-nominated Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian, Peter Nicks and Kalia King are executive producers and Kelli Buchanan is co-executive producer for Proximity Media. For National Geographic, Sean David Johnson and Carolyn Payne executive produce, and Tom McDonald is executive vice president of Global Factual and Unscripted Content.
