Overview

• The documentary debuted July 27, 2025, on National Geographic and Disney+ to coincide with Hurricane Katrina’s 20th anniversary.
• Directed by Traci A. Curry, the series blends firsthand survivor accounts and newly uncovered archival footage to reveal how flawed levee design and wetland loss fueled the flooding.
• It exposes slow and mismanaged government response under FEMA leadership, highlighting racialized neglect and documented violence against Black residents.
• The filmmakers trace how sensational media portrayals of the Superdome as a “riot zone” deterred emergency responders and distorted public perception.
• By tracing long-term displacement, neighborhood gentrification and current FEMA budget cuts, the series issues an urgent warning about infrastructure equity and disaster preparedness.