Living with Hurricanes: 
Katrina and Beyond

Combining eyewitness accounts, historical context, immersive environments and in-depth scientific exploration, this exhibition shows the impact of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and how Louisiana is learning to live more safely with hurricanes. Oral histories and artifacts, such as a Coast Guard helicopter basket and a Charity Hospital banner, help convey the chaotic aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Interactive exhibits explore the factors that led to the disaster. An oversized animated map shows the major levee failures and the progression of the flood, and several videos and hands-on activities explore levee engineering, wetlands loss, hurricane science and disaster management. In the closing film, dozens of residents reflect on life in coastal Louisiana and pledge to take action for a better future.

On Friday, August 29, 2025, the Louisiana State Museum invites you to mark a powerful milestone: the reopening of Living with Hurricanes: Katrina and Beyond, reimagined for the next generation. To honor the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, we’re hosting a special ribbon cutting and free symposium that shifts the focus from tragedy to transformation—spotlighting the people who helped rebuild Louisiana with courage, compassion, and vision.
 

Schedule of Events

9:00 a.m.
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at the Presbytère 

9:30–11:30 a.m.
Public Symposium at Le Petit Theatre (one block away)
The symposium will feature a distinguished panel including 
Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser, Walter Isaacson, Aaron Broussard, and more.

Reserve Your Free Seat Today!
 

This dynamic conversation brings together journalists, first responders, government leaders, and community voices for a moderated discussion on what we've learned, how far we’ve come, and how we prepare for the future. After the panel, explore the newly refreshed exhibit, featuring upgraded immersive media, expanded stories of recovery, and hands-on science and education spaces.

This exhibition is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grants No. DRL-0813558. Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in the exhibition are those of the Louisiana State Museum and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. To learn more about hurricanes, visit Hurricanes: Science and Society, developed by the University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography in partnership with the Louisiana State Museum.