20 years ago, Hurricane Katrina pummeled the southern coast of the United States of America. In particular, it devastated southeastern Louisiana and New Orleans. It was one of the deadliest and most devastating natural disasters in U.S. history. To mark this milestone, National Geographic is looking back at this time in a new docuseries, Hurricane Katrina: Race Against Time.
Hurricane Katrina: Race Against Time is directed by Oscar-nominated director Traci A. Curry (Attica) and produced by Oscar®-winning producer Simon Chinn and Emmy®-winning producer Jonathan Chinn’s production company Lightbox (The Diamond Heist, TINA, Whitney, LA 92) and Oscar, Golden Globe® and GRAMMY®-nominated filmmaker Ryan Coogler’s production company Proximity Media (Sinners, Judas and the Black Messiah, Space Jam: A New Legacy). It will premiere on July 27 at 8/7c on National Geographic with three back-to-back episodes. All episodes will be available to stream on July 28 on Disney+ and Hulu.
“This is far more than a story about a storm,” said executive producers Jonathan Chinn and Simon Chinn (Lightbox). “It’s a compelling, essential reexamination of systemic failure and the enduring consequences of decisions made before, during and after the levees broke.”
“This series goes beyond the headlines. It reveals stories of survival, heroism and resilience,” added executive producers Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, and Sev Ohanian (Proximity Media). “It’s a vital historical record and a call to witness, remember and reckon with the truth of Hurricane Katrina’s legacy.”
Hurricane Katrina: Race Against Time Official Description
Told in unflinching, moment-by-moment detail, HURRICANE KATRINA: RACE AGAINST TIME transports viewers into the chaos that engulfed New Orleans as one of the deadliest catastrophes in U.S. history unfolded—capturing the fear, heroism and resilience of those who fought to survive the storm and its aftermath. With the clear-eyed perspective of two decades of hindsight, this gripping historical record corrects persistent false narratives and exposes how a natural disaster became a national tragedy. Grounded in gut-wrenching eyewitness testimony from survivors, first responders and officials, and brought to life with immersive archival footage, the series is an unparalleled, emotionally raw examination of the storm’s personal, political and societal fallout. From the Oscar®- and Emmy®-winning producers at Lightbox and acclaimed filmmaker Ryan Coogler and his production company, Proximity Media, and directed by Oscar-nominated Traci A. Curry, this landmark documentary series arrives in time to mark the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.
Hurricane Katrina: Race Against Time includes the following episodes:
EPISODE 1: THE COMING STORM
Premieres July 27 at 8/7c, streams next day on Disney+ and Hulu
It’s a typically vibrant New Orleans summer when Hurricane Katrina looms. Sitting in the bullseye of a Category 5, the city faces a reality check. With a delayed evacuation order, many are trapped and forced to brace for the storm’s fury. Residents recount for the first time how they navigated the impending disaster, capturing the harrowing experience of preparing for “The Big One.”
EPISODE 2: WORST CASE SCENARIO
Premieres July 27 at 9/8c, streams next day on Disney+ and Hulu
After Hurricane Katrina passed, citizens soon discovered the levees breached, quickly flooding New Orleans like a bathtub. First responders and everyday citizens jumped in heroically to save locals; many residents were forced to flee their houses for dry land. As residents braved dangerous conditions to survive, ineptitude at all levels of government was exposed as the water rose.
EPISODE 3: A DESPERATE PLACE
Premieres July 27 at 10/9c, streams next day on Disney+ and Hulu
Three days into the flood, rescue operations continue around the clock. Thousands remain trapped, as the government struggles to coordinate a rescue effort. Inside the Superdome, stories of resilience and survival emerge above the sometimes-horrific conditions. Meanwhile, media coverage shifts to emphasize disorder, focusing on looting rather than the thousands still stranded.
EPISODE 4: SHOOT TO KILL
Premieres July 28 at 8/7c, streams same day on Disney+ and Hulu
In post-Katrina New Orleans, Gen. Honoré leads rescue efforts amid pressure to use force, while local heroes tirelessly save lives. Thousands remain stranded in their homes, the Superdome, the convention center, and along the interstate as evacuation efforts continue to fail. Tensions rise while violence erupts and militias target residents.
EPISODE 5: WAKE UP CALL
Premieres July 28 at 9/8c, streams same day on Disney+ and Hulu
New Orleans’ resilient residents exit the city, forming part of the Katrina diaspora. As they navigate the uncertainty of how and when they might restore their lives, a plan for a new New Orleans takes shape. The future of the devastated city hangs in the balance as its residents struggle to return, rebuild and restart their lives even 20 years later.
HURRICANE KATRINA: RACE AGAINST TIME is a Lightbox production, in association with Proximity Media for National Geographic and is directed by Oscar-nominated Traci A. Curry. Oscar-winning Simon Chinn, Emmy-winning Jonathan Chinn, Myles Estey and Ted Skillman are executive producers for Lightbox. Oscar, Golden Globe and GRAMMY-nominated Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian, Peter Nicks and Kalia King are executive producers and Kelli Buchanan is co-executive producer for Proximity Media. For National Geographic, Sean David Johnson and Carolyn Payne executive produce, and Tom McDonald is executive vice president of Global Factual and Unscripted Content.
What do you think of this docuseries? Will you be watching it? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!
