CDC Commemorates the One-Year Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina
NOTE: This document is provided for historical purposes only and may not provide our most accurate and up-to-date information. The most current disaster information can be found on the CDC Natural Disasters and Severe Weather homepage.
Julie Gerberding, Director of CDC
This week marks the anniversary of one of the worst natural disasters in U.S. history—Hurricane Katrina along the Florida, Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana Gulf Coast and the devastating floods that followed in New Orleans. Please pause to remember those who lost their lives, their loved ones, their homes, and their communities as a result of this terrifying storm and its aftermath.
This time last year, our nation faced a monumental challenge. CDC’s response was swift, organized, and effective and our efforts made a difference to people in the affected areas and in the many shelters across the country. Our entire agency pitched in to help, and more than 700 CDC responders spent thousands of person-hours in the field with our state and local colleagues to strengthen and rebuild effective public health services. (Please see Recovery from Katrina & Other 2005 Hurricanes.)
Photos from CDC's Response to Hurricane Katrina
Our work is not done! We are still engaged in recovery efforts by:
- Assisting Louisiana's plans to rebuild a safe and healthy community.
- Contributing to the Louisiana Health Care Redesign Collaborative.
- Contributing to the Health and Population Survey that will help identify the healthcare, education and economic needs of persons living in the hurricane-affected areas of Louisiana (see the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals website).
- Working with the state and local partners in Louisiana to improve evacuation plans including the evacuation and sheltering of pets.
Prepare for Hurricanes
Much of what you will read below speaks to the importance of preparation. Hurricane season for 2006 lasts until November 30 and historically, peak hurricane activity is in the later months of the season. So CDC would like to remind everyone living in areas at risk from hurricanes that there are things you can do now to help ensure the safety of your family, friends and pets. Please read and print the information that applies to you now, so it is available when you need it.
More on CDC's Response to Katrina
CDC Immersed in Massive Hurricane Relief Efforts
Roaring winds. Deadly waters. Desperate people. CDC began its response efforts even before Hurricane Katrina hit landfall. As early as Friday, August 26, 2005, the Director's Emergency Operations Center (DEOC) was fully staffed to monitor and track the storm progress…
Originally printed Sep 8, 2005
CDC's Hurricane Help: Your Stories
Katrina. Rita. Wilma. In the past few months, hurricanes have hammered the Southeast and Gulf Coast and thrust CDC into major relief efforts. Hundreds of staff are helping in the field, others are helping at headquarters and around CDC, and still others are volunteering their own time after hours…
Originally printed Nov 3, 2005
2005 Hurricane Response Efforts of the CDC National Immunization Program (NIP)
A summary of activities—such as vaccination of local health workers and establishment of immunization information systems—that were conducted by the CDC National Immunization Program (NIP) in response to Katrina and other hurricanes last season.
2005 Hurricane Response Efforts of the CDC National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC)
A summary of activities—such as injury surveillance and development of injury prevention materials—that were conducted by the CDC National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC) in response to Katrina and other hurricanes last season.
2005 Hurricane Response Efforts of the CDC National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH) and Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
A summary of activities—such as habitability assessment and oil spill evaluation—that were conducted by the CDC National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH) and Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) in response to Katrina and other hurricanes last season.
CDC Helped During Hurricane Katrina
CDC was involved in hurricane relief efforts, and the CDC Director's Emergency Operations Center (DEOC) sprang into action even before Katrina made landfall…
CDC Foundation: Helping CDC Respond to Katrina
After Hurricane Katrina hit, CDC director, Dr. Julie Gerberding asked the CDC Foundation to activate the Emergency Preparedness and Response Fund, and the Foundation began seeking contributions. The CDC Foundation is working with CDC and state and local health departments to help rebuild public health infrastructure.
Recovery from Katrina & Other 2005 Hurricanes
Information for those involved in the ongoing recovery efforts for Katrina, Rita, & other hurricanes from last season.
- Page last updated August 30, 2006
- Content source: CDC Emergency Communication System (ECS), Division of Health Communication and Marketing (DHCM), National Center for Health Marketing (NCHM)
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