Two decades after one of the deadliest hurricanes in U.S. history made landfall in New Orleans, businesses, survivors and current residents are still grappling with its devastating aftermath. Years after constant newscasts of Hurricane Katrina were on every channel, documentary filmmakers and journalists continue to dig deep into the stories of those whose lives were thrown into chaos and uncover the perfect storm of systemic failures that have made recovery and healing so difficult.
From acclaimed directors like Spike Lee to Louisiana natives picking up their cameras, here are five TV documentaries that explore the tragedy that pummeled the city, the healing in the aftermath, and the long road to the city’s rebirth.
Katrina: Come Hell and High Water (Netflix)
A new directorial team hea