August 29 marks the 21st anniversary of Hurricane Katrina’s landfall on the Gulf Coast in 2005. I headed to New Orleans, expecting to have a great time with my parents, but instead found myself stuck in a hotel during one of the most destructive hurricanes in U.S. history.
At that moment, I didn’t realize how much this experience would influence my future approach to emergencies. Katrina still stands as the most financially damaging hurricane in the nation’s history and one of the deadliest.
For me, the ordeal began even before the storm hit. As Katrina intensified in the Gulf, it became clear that we needed to leave New Orleans. I managed to get my parents onto what I believe was the last flight out. My father even offered me his ticket, but I insisted he take the flight while I headed to a rental car service. That plan unraveled quickly.
Once I arrived, I discovered nearly a hundred others had the same idea. Eventually, I returned to the Ritz-Carlton in New Orleans, which I’d heard was exceptionally prepared for hurricanes, boasting upgraded windows, generator power, and ample food supply. Going back turned out to be a mistake.
When the hotel’s hurricane plan began to unravel
The hotel seemed well-equipped on paper. Still, as Hurricane Katrina approached, hotel staff were allowed to bring their families indoors to stay together while continuing their work. This added hundreds of people to the count, far exceeding the hotel’s emergency plan. Suddenly, resources were stretched thin, and then the floodwaters arrived.
Water encircled the hotel, making escape impossible. Food became scarce. At one point, staff resorted to asking guests with diesel vehicles to siphon fuel for the generator. Outside, I heard gunfire and saw looting on Canal Street. Hotel staff repeatedly warned us against going outside due to the unsafe conditions. Communication was also deteriorating; cell service was spotty, and texts could take ages to send. Somehow, I rigged the hotel’s phone system long enough to get a dial tone to call KTLA in Los Angeles, where I was working.
During that time, I couldn’t help but think, if things were so dire in a luxury hotel, what were families trapped in their homes experiencing? This thought became more personal as I met Jesse and Emma Ruiz, a couple from Los Angeles who had been looking forward to their anniversary trip, only to find themselves in a crisis. As we were stuck together, I tried to share my food and water resources with them. Reconnecting years later was emotional and brought all those memories rushing back.
What I learned from Hurricane Katrina
One of the crucial lessons I learned from Katrina was the importance of controlling the information I received. Rumors were rampant, and in moments of fear, uncertainty was the norm; nobody really knew what was next. As a journalist, my mission became verifying facts amid what I termed “information chaos.”
This approach helped keep me focused. Rather than getting overwhelmed, I zeroed in on verifiable facts and prioritized immediate problems.
I formed a partnership with Richard Rhodes, another hotel guest from Washington. We started thinking ahead about our needs and potential escape routes. We even planned to walk out along the levee toward Baton Rouge. However, a security guard stopped us, and I soon realized that floodwaters had reached the second floor, leaving no way out on foot.
Unexpectedly, I faced a new challenge: although a helicopter could rescue us, I didn’t know my exact latitude and longitude. Without power and the smartphone apps we rely on today, it took me nearly two days to figure out my GPS coordinates. Once I had them, the pilot could locate us, and it finally dawned on me: “I’ll always need to know my GPS coordinates moving forward.” Today, that’s a much simpler task.
How Hurricane Katrina changed my emergency prep
The experience of Katrina shifted not only my mindset but also the kind of supplies I keep close by. You don’t need a stocked warehouse for emergencies; instead, I now focus on communication tools, visibility aids, and backup power for essential devices.
During the disaster, I found an uninterruptible power supply in the hotel that usually backed up a computer. We used it to charge our phones when electrical power was down, which made backup power a staple in my emergency prep. I also learned how invaluable a simple zip-top plastic bag can be when water starts rising.
7 storm season tips I learned the hard way
While you can’t control the unpredictability of major storms, there are ways to enhance your communication and survival when services vanish.
1) Save your GPS coordinates now
Don’t wait for an emergency to figure out your latitude and longitude. Open Google Maps, zoom in, and drop a pin by pressing and holding an unlabeled spot. This will show you the coordinates on both Android and iPhone. Document them in an easy-to-access location.
I recommend saving your home coordinates and any place where you might hunker down during a storm. This information can be critical if familiar landmarks disappear, providing rescuers with your exact location.
2) Practice Emergency SOS via satellite
This feature is one I wish I’d had back during Katrina. Apple’s Emergency SOS via satellite, available on iPhone 14 and newer, assists in sending emergency texts even without cellular or Wi-Fi service. However, do practice using it so you’re familiar with the process.
iPhone: How to practice Emergency SOS
On a modern iPhone:
- Open Settings
- Tap Emergency SOS
- Find the Emergency SOS via satellite section
- Select the option to try the demo
- Follow the instructions displayed
Samsung Galaxy: Utilize Satellite SOS if available
Some Samsung Galaxy devices can also connect to emergency services via satellite under similar conditions. Ensure you check your model and carrier compatibility.
One caveat:
Not seeing Satellite SOS in your settings doesn’t necessarily mean your device is outdated. Your specific model or carrier may use a different satellite service.
3) Keep a NOAA Weather Radio handy
Smartphones are vital, but don’t rely on them solely for warnings. A NOAA Weather Radio provides continuous National Weather Service updates, including warnings, watches, and forecasts. Look for one with Specific Area Message Encoding (SAME) capability.
4) Prepare for power outages
Charge your phone and portable batteries early. Have alternative power sources ready for outages, like portable chargers or power banks. I keep spare charging cables too since you might find electricity but not have the right cable.
5) Protect critical gear from water damage
This is where the zip-top bag shines again. I store small electronics and essentials in these bags to keep them dry when bad weather looms. I also have a flashlight and a whistle readily available for signaling.
6) Store enough drinking water
Water can quickly become scarce after a disaster. Ready.gov suggests storing one gallon per person per day for several days for drinking and sanitation, including consideration for pets.
7) Keep emergency essentials in your vehicle
I learned the hard way during Katrina that disasters can strike when you’re away from your emergency supplies. Thus, I keep some supplies in my car too. Ready.gov encourages having an emergency kit in your vehicle along with some emergency cash due to potential disruptions to payment systems during extended outages.
Staying calm became part of my emergency plan
In a chat for the podcast, Carlos noted that I appeared calm during the chaos. To be honest, I felt anything but calm; fear and uncertainty were omnipresent. Yet focusing on the next solvable issue helped me maintain my composure. Eventually, we secured a helicopter extraction.
When the helicopter lifted off, relief washed over me—until I saw the heartbreaking sight of stranded people waving from rooftops, desperate for help. That image lingers in my mind.
Kurt’s key takeaways
Katrina taught me that preparedness means having options. You can’t predict what a crisis will disrupt. That’s why I want multiple sources of information, backup power, and essential details saved before any urgency arises. Most preparations are surprisingly simple. Know how to get your coordinates, practice emergency features on your devices, and keep essentials charged and easily accessible. Most importantly, be ready for plans to change. The hotel that looked well-prepared was overwhelmed, cell service failed, and paths to escape vanished. The act of getting out required a helicopter landing on the roof, a scenario I couldn’t have anticipated. What I can control is equipping myself with more solutions for the next challenge.
If a storm cuts your power tonight, could you manage with what’s currently at hand? Let me know your thoughts.
