It became stronger over the Gulf of Mexico. What did the authorities do? How many people were evacuated? Who stayed in the city?

As Hurricane Katrina moved over the Gulf of Mexico, it intensified rapidly, becoming a Category 5 hurricane.

What did the authorities do? Authorities declared a state of emergency, ordered a mandatory evacuation of the city, and opened shelters for those who could not leave.

How many people were evacuated? Hundreds of thousands of people were evacuated from New Orleans before the storm hit. However, many people, particularly the poor, elderly, and those without transportation, were unable to leave.

Who stayed in the city? Those who stayed in the city included people who could not afford to leave, those who were physically unable to evacuate, and those who did not believe the storm would be as severe as predicted.