The Corps of Engineers designed levees only for a Category 3 storm, leaving black and brown communities in a bowl-shaped city defenseless.
As heard by us
A clear, pointed look at how Katrina exposed failed warnings, slow response, and a long recovery crisis.
The Katrina episode of You Can't Make This Up looks at the breakdown of public safety around New Orleans and the shaky promise of rebuilding, with Katrina, Come Hell and High Water as its frame.
Why you'd press play
You want to understand how Katrina left New Orleans flat-footed, turned the Superdome into an aid crisis, and became a 20-year rebuilding report card.
Listen to the show on