Hurricane Katrina Remembrance Day to take place in Mississippi. What to know
Gov. Tate Reeves has proclaimed a statewide day of remembrance to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, the state’s deadliest natural disaster in recent history.
Hurricane Katrina Remembrance Day is Friday, Aug. 29, Gov. Reeves announced, according to an Aug. 26 news release from his office.
As part of the commemoration, Mississippians are encouraged to join in a statewide minute of silence starting at 8:29 a.m. Aug. 29, according to the release.
The minute of silence will be held “in memory of the lives lost, a recognition of the resilience of Mississippi communities, and a reflection on the journey of recovery and hope,” according to the governor’s office.
Gov. Reeves, the Mississippi National Guard and other state agencies will host a 20th Anniversary commemoration in Gulfport. Commemoration ceremonies will also be held in different cities across the Gulf Coast.
Here’s what you need to know about the day of remembrance.
‘Costliest hurricane’ in U.S. history
Hurricane Katrina struck the Louisiana-Mississippi border at 8:29 a.m., Aug. 29, 2005 as a Category 3 storm with winds up to 120 mph, according to the governor’s office.
The 27-foot natural disaster surged 6 miles inland and up to 12 miles inland along bays and rivers and resulted in more than 1,000 fatalities with 238 deaths in and 67 people reported missing in Mississippi, the governor said.
It’s remembered to this day as the “costliest hurricane to ever hit the U.S.,” according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
“The storm left a wake of devastation that will never be forgotten,” the NOAA said on its website.
Where will other Hurricane Katrina commemorations take place in MS?
Here’s where some events commemorating the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina are taking place across the state:
- Gulfport, 1133 20th Ave
- Pass Christian, Highway 90 & Flietas Ave
- D’lberville, 10452 Lamey Bridge Road
- Long Beach, 201 Jeff Davis Ave
- Pascagoula, 600 Beach Blvd
- Waveland, 335 Coleman Ave
What other states have Hurricane Katrina Remembrance Days?
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry signed an executive order Aug. 25 declaring Aug. 29 as Hurricane Katrina Day of Remembrance and Day of Prayer.
Landry also ordered the flags to be at half-staff, according to the EO.
While Mississippi and Louisiana were most impacted, Alabama and Florida also saw damage from the hurricane, according to records.
