A Powerful New Look At One Of America’s Deadliest Disasters
On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina barreled into southeastern Louisiana, forever changing the landscape of New Orleans and exposing some of the darkest failures in America’s disaster response system.
Now, nearly 20 years later, “Hurricane Katrina: Race Against Time” arrives as a powerful new five-part documentary series that centers the survivors and corrects the record on what really happened.
Premiering July 27 at 8/7c on National Geographic—with all episodes streaming July 28 on Disney+ and Hulu—the series takes viewers on an emotional, gut-wrenching journey through the moments leading up to, during, and after the catastrophic storm.
The Team Behind The Series Brings Experience, Vision, And Heart
From the award-winning minds at Lightbox (LA 92, TINA) and Ryan Coogler’s Proximity Media (Judas and the Black Messiah), and directed by Oscar nominee Traci A. Curry (Attica), this docuseries isn’t just a history lesson.
It’s a reckoning.
As executive producers Jonathan and Simon Chinn put it:
“This is far more than a story about a storm. It’s a compelling, essential reexamination of systemic failure and the enduring consequences of decisions made before, during and after the levees broke.”
And Ryan Coogler, along with Zinzi Coogler and Sev Ohanian, couldn’t agree more:
“This series goes beyond the headlines. It reveals stories of survival, heroism and resilience… It’s a vital historical record and a call to witness, remember and reckon with the truth of Hurricane Katrina’s legacy.”
Told Through The Eyes Of Those Who Lived It
What makes “Hurricane Katrina: Race Against Time” so compelling is that it doesn’t rely on reenactments or distant narration.
It’s built on eyewitness testimony, raw archival footage, and the lived experiences of residents, first responders, and officials who endured the disaster firsthand.
Each episode zeroes in on a critical moment, peeling back the layers of what happened and why:
🌀 Episode 1: The Coming Storm
The threat looms. The evacuation order is delayed. Residents recall the fear and uncertainty of preparing for the worst.
💧 Episode 2: Worst Case Scenario
The levees fail. The city floods. While government response falters, everyday heroes rise to action.
🏟️ Episode 3: A Desperate Place
The Superdome becomes both a shelter and a symbol of neglect. Media narratives start to shift from survival to sensationalism.
🚨 Episode 4: Shoot To Kill
Tensions explode. Violence and mistrust escalate as residents are criminalized rather than helped.
🏚️ Episode 5: Wake Up Call
As evacuees become part of the Katrina diaspora, a broken city begins the long road to recovery. But at what cost?
Not Just A Documentary—It’s A Correction Of The Record
Directed with empathy and truth by Traci A. Curry, the series confronts the misinformation and media portrayals that painted survivors as villains instead of victims.
It highlights the devastating racial and socioeconomic inequities that were laid bare in Katrina’s wake—and that, in many ways, still persist today.
It’s the kind of storytelling that demands your attention.
When & Where To Watch
Premiere Date: July 27 at 8/7c on National Geographic (three episodes back-to-back)
Streaming: All five episodes available July 28 on Disney+ and Hulu
Watch The Trailer
“Hurricane Katrina: Race Against Time” is more than a documentary.
It’s an unflinching time capsule, a deeply human reflection, and a much-needed reckoning nearly two decades after the levees broke.
Whether you lived through it, watched it unfold from afar, or are just beginning to understand the true scale of what happened—this series is required viewing.
Frens, will you be watching?
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