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.

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.