Thousands are expected to gather Friday in New Orleans for a series of memorials and festivities as the city marks the 20th year since Hurricane Katrina's deadly landfall.
The Category 3 storm hit southeast Louisiana on Aug. 29, 2005, submerging vast swaths of New Orleans in roaring floodwaters and causing about $200 billion in damages, when adjusted for inflation. The storm killed more than 1,300 people, making it one of the deadliest hurricanes in U.S. history. Exacerbating the death toll was the failure of federally managed levees.
Twenty years after the deadly storm, New Orleans is hosting a series of events and ceremonies to remember the victims and advocate for improvement of the city's infrastructure and climate change preparedness.
The day's events are set to start in the Lower 9th Ward, where a levee failed and allowed floodwaters to inundate a predominantly Black community. First there will be a healing ceremony and a reading of the names of those who lost their lives in the storm. At a memorial for dozens of unidentified victims there will be a wreath-laying ceremony and a moment of silence beginning at 11:20 a.m. local time.
A march featuring a brass band and thousands of residents and community leaders will head several blocks to Hunter's Field park, where speakers are slated to give remarks, reflecting on the devastating storm, advocating for improvements and calling for Aug. 29 to be made a state and local holiday.
The events, including a fundraising gala, a memorial unveiling and several performances, are sponsored by Katrina Commemoration Inc. and Hip Hop Caucus. You can watch the day's events here.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: New Orleans parade, memorials mark 20 years since Hurricane Katrina. How to watch.
Reporting by Christopher Cann, USA TODAY / USA TODAY
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