Katrina: Come Hell and High Water - The true story behind the Netflix documentary, explored

Katrina: Come Hell and High Water takes the audience through the heart-wrenching true stories from the catastrophic disaster that hit the city of New Orleans in Louisiana. On August 29, 2005, the city, celebrated for its rich cultural diversity and vibrant music scene, was devastated by one of the deadliest disasters in modern history: Hurricane Katrina.

Thousands of people were killed and displaced, with many residents even permanently moving to the neighboring states. The city and the government were left with hard-hitting questions from the people for their delayed response or lack of response.

Katrina: Come Hell and High Water is a three-part documentary series that premiered on Netflix recently. The series, which is executive-produced by Spike Lee, takes the viewers through the harrowing tales from the survivors and officers at the heart of the disaster. 20 years since the tragic events, the docu-series brings forth testimonies from the people highlighting the many lapses of the government, for which the regular Americans paid a heavy price.

Katrina: Come Hell and High Water - The true story behind the Netflix documentary

It has been 20 years since Category 3 Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans. Katrina: Come Hell and High Water addresses the many issues faced by residents before and after the hurricane made landfall. Despite the city facing severe hurricanes in the past, the city was inept in preparing for a disaster on this scale. About 20 hours before the landfall, Mayor Ray Nagin ordered for evacuation, but due to many setbacks, many residents could not leave.

When the Louisiana Superdome football stadium opened its doors to residents living in the low-lying areas before the hurricane made landfall, not everyone could make it. The lines were too long, and people, especially those with vulnerabilities, were unable to get inside. Shelton “Shakespear” Alexander managed to take home video footage of the structural damage caused by the storm. Resources were restricted, and thousands of people were forced to stay for many days in dwindling conditions.

In Katrina: Come Hell and High Water, resident Robert Green would recall the traumatic events of the day. Unable to get into the Superdome or leave the city with his weak mother, he decided to stay back home. But when the hurricane made landfall, it destroyed his family forever as his mother and granddaughter got swept away.

After the storm passed, the city changed forever. Many areas were flooded with water reaching several feet high. People got isolated, with no means of communication or basic supplies. Many residents even left messages for help on the rooftops of their houses, which were almost immersed in water.

The aftermath of the storm resulted in many levee breaches, which were responsible for rapid flooding. The media also failed to give attention to the more low-lying areas, which were hit the hardest. The delayed arrival of National Guard assistance, with no proper management, made the situation worse. Many of the New Orleans residents would recall feeling abandoned by the officials during that time.

Katrina: Come Hell and High Water also highlights the alleged racism and prejudice in providing aid and assistance with the rescue. The media coverage also often showcased discrimination against minorities. The evacuation of the residents, as well as people sheltered at the Superdome and the Convention Centre, was a sluggish process, which received much criticism.

Even after the rescue, the rebuilding was longer and harder than they anticipated. The black neighborhoods especially struggled to get the resources to help reconstruct their lives from scratch. The Make It Right Foundation, supported by Hollywood actor Brad Pitt, was instrumental in building homes for the New Orleans’ Lower Ninth Ward.

Katrina: Come Hell and High Water also highlights the many structural flaws in these houses, which the residents were forced to tackle, with the foundation allegedly being uncooperative to their woes. A legal battle ensued. In 2022, a $ 20.5 million settlement was reached to resolve the outstanding issues. Global Green, a nonprofit organization, was also brought in to help with the rebuilding and repairs of the homes.

Katrina: Come Hell and High Water brings forth accounts of residents and footage from the natural disaster that shook the country and the world. Watch the three-part documentary series on Netflix.

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