The tropical storm that became Katrina formed over the Bahamas in 2005.

Katrina was one of the costliest and most destructive hurricanes in U.S. history and was the third strongest hurricane to touch down on U.S. soil to date. Katrina devastated New Orleans and other Gulf Coast areas and is estimated to have killed over 1,800 people.

The anniversary of Katrina is a good time to plan for local weather emergencies, especially since it occurs at the beginning of the school year. Explore the weather-related and other natural disasters that your geographical area is prone to; then review your school's emergency procedures with students.

Extend the lesson to students' homes and other places they may visit (religious buildings, for instance), asking students to explore a location outside of the school for its emergency preparedness and then report their findings back to the class.

• Hurricanes/Tropical Cyclones
  

  This NASA page includes details on hurricanes in general, with graphics that explain how hurricanes are structured.

   

• National Hurricane Center
  

  NOAA offers this resource on hurricanes, including information about hurricane strength, hurricane safety, and how storms are named, as well as hurricane photos and satellite imagery.

   

• Hurricane Hunters Association
  

  Visit the homepage of the Air Force squadrons who fly into the eye of hurricanes that threaten the United States' coast.

   

• Hurricane Digital Memory Bank
  

  The Hurricane Digital Memory Bank uses electronic media to collect, preserve, and present the stories and digital record of Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma.