DDH_ICONS Hurricane Katrina

Bobby Brown and Rufus Burkhalter

We stayed together and we did what we had to do to try to protect the city.

If you are experiencing emotional distress or other mental health concerns after a disaster, the Disaster Distress Helpline is here for you 24/7/365.

1-800-985-5990

For Deaf and Hard of Hearing ASL Callers: To connect directly to an agent in American Sign Language, Click the “ASL Now” button below or call 1-800-985-5990 from your videophone. ASL Support is available 24/7.

Bobby Brown and Rufus Burkhalter have been coworkers for 20 years at a pump station in New Orleans. Despite the danger and tragedy they witnessed during their work when Hurricane Katrina hit, they’re both still deeply committed to the city they love and the people in it.

DDH_ICONS Hurricane Katrina

John W. Taylor, Jr.

You don’t think those sort of things are important—until they’re not there.

If you are experiencing emotional distress or other mental health concerns after a disaster, the Disaster Distress Helpline is here for you 24/7/365.

1-800-985-5990

For Deaf and Hard of Hearing ASL Callers: To connect directly to an agent in American Sign Language, Click the “ASL Now” button below or call 1-800-985-5990 from your videophone. ASL Support is available 24/7.

New Orleans was also homebase for John W. Taylor, Jr., who’d lived all over the country but found himself with little more than his truck after Hurricane Katrina hit. He knows for many of his neighbors, it’s too hard to see the city they love in such disarray, and even he’s not sure if he’ll be able to stay.

DDH_ICONS Hurricane Katrina

Roy Calabrisi and Anthony Calabrisi

We're hanging in there, and that’s what really counts.

If you are experiencing emotional distress or other mental health concerns after a disaster, the Disaster Distress Helpline is here for you 24/7/365.

1-800-985-5990

For Deaf and Hard of Hearing ASL Callers: To connect directly to an agent in American Sign Language, Click the “ASL Now” button below or call 1-800-985-5990 from your videophone. ASL Support is available 24/7.

Hurricane Katrina caused damage to virtually every structure St. Bernard’s Parish, home to brothers Anthony and Roy Calabrisi. At 77 and 83 years old respectively, they talked about the uncertainty of rebuilding their community in the twilight of their lives. They’re focusing on holding on and doing the best they can, a little bit at a time. If nothing else, they’re even closer as brothers than they were before the storm hit.

DDH_ICONS Hurricane Katrina

Douglas P. deSilvey

Losing a family—I don’t think there’s any words for it.

If you are experiencing emotional distress or other mental health concerns after a disaster, the Disaster Distress Helpline is here for you 24/7/365.

1-800-985-5990

For Deaf and Hard of Hearing ASL Callers: To connect directly to an agent in American Sign Language, Click the “ASL Now” button below or call 1-800-985-5990 from your videophone. ASL Support is available 24/7.

When you’re a native to the Gulf Coast, you get used to storms—but Hurricane Katrina, of course, was not just another storm. Douglas P. deSilvey was with his closest family members when the roof of their Mississippi home caved in on them, and he lost his wife, daughter, mother-in-law, and father-in-law. A year after such a tragic loss, he’s still trying to put his life back together and figure out what life means now.

DDH_ICONS Hurricane Katrina

Kiersta Kurtz-Burke and Justin Lundgren

It was probably the biggest leap of faith of my life.

If you are experiencing emotional distress or other mental health concerns after a disaster, the Disaster Distress Helpline is here for you 24/7/365.

1-800-985-5990

For Deaf and Hard of Hearing ASL Callers: To connect directly to an agent in American Sign Language, Click the “ASL Now” button below or call 1-800-985-5990 from your videophone. ASL Support is available 24/7.

As Hurricane Katrina approached, patients at Charity Hospital, which had been in operation for nearly 300 years, grew increasingly anxious that they might be left behind. Dr. Kiersta Kurtz-Burke focused on keeping her patients informed and calm, but eventually had to help them evacuate by putting them on boats.

DDH_ICONS Hurricane or Flood

Joshua Norman and Rachel Leifer

When the storm hit and I started getting calls from people in tears, that made me believe that there’s some good to be done here.

If you are experiencing emotional distress or other mental health concerns after a disaster, the Disaster Distress Helpline is here for you 24/7/365.

1-800-985-5990

For Deaf and Hard of Hearing ASL Callers: To connect directly to an agent in American Sign Language, Click the “ASL Now” button below or call 1-800-985-5990 from your videophone. ASL Support is available 24/7.

Joshua Norman worked on site as a reporter after Hurricane Katrina hit, and he documented the heartbreaking stories of those affected by the storm. Something he didn’t expect was the impact of including as many names as possible in his stories—he started getting calls from people who found out their loved ones survived because he included them in his stories. And that ability to give something so valuable to so many people renewed his faith in the importance of his work.