‘Hurricane Katrina: Race Against Time’ Review: NatGeo’s Ryan Coogler-Produced Docuseries Is a Potent 20th-Anniversary Reflection

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The devastation and human toll inflicted by Hurricane Katrina has consistently been both inconceivably vast and painfully comprehensible, which is not often the case for disasters of such magnitude.

Within a few weeks after the catastrophe, blame was placed, rightfully, on the human-induced climatic circumstances that exacerbated the situation, the engineering failures and administrative disasters that left countless individuals and communities struggling for survival.

In just a matter of weeks following the disaster, the spotlight fell accurately on the detrimental impact of man-made climate conditions, the engineering blunders and bureaucratic mishaps that left numerous people and neighborhoods in dire straits, having to fend for themselves.

Back in 2006, Spike Lee’s powerful documentary “When the Levees Broke” marked my personal journey into understanding Hurricane Katrina. Later on, in 2010, David Simon and Eric Overmyer’s series “Treme” continued this exploration, offering a mix of sorrow and celebration as it delved deeper into the impact of the storm.

Hurricane Katrina became the subject of definitive cultural explorations starting with Spike Lee’s documentary masterpiece When the Levees Broke in 2006, followed by David Simon and Eric Overmyer’s HBO series Treme in 2010. )

As the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina nears in late August, viewers can anticipate a variety of introspective documentaries dealing with the striking contrast between what was comprehensible and incomprehensible – productions that don’t aim to match “When the Levees Broke“, but rather have a distinct purpose in mind.

Kicking off is the five-part documentary titled “Hurricane Katrina: Race Against Time,” produced by Ryan Coogler’s Proximity Media and directed by Traci A. Curry. Unlike some documentaries, this one doesn’t aim to provide new facts or a deeper understanding. Instead, it serves as a heartfelt reminder that despite knowing the disastrous events in New Orleans – causing approximately 1,392 deaths and $125 billion in damages – we haven’t necessarily learned or retained those lessons.

This project emerges in the wake of the devastating floods in Texas, which revealed certain shortcomings in response and management. As we grapple with extraordinary occurrences that seem to shatter our usual patterns at an unprecedented rate, it’s hard to predict what recent events will echo or reflect in the coming weeks, but let us remember that this project is a race against time.

Curry adopts a straightforward yet powerful method: She allows a group of New Orleans residents, who were near the areas hit hard by Hurricane Katrina such as the 9th Ward, Algiers, and Tremé, to recount their experiences in real time – minute by minute, hour by hour.

Many individuals were chosen due to various factors, primarily because they were recording their lives as Hurricane Katrina grew stronger and neared New Orleans. Some, such as Shelton Alexander, an aspiring beat poet at the time, were merely filming daily life when disaster struck. Others had digital video cameras during the pre-smartphone era and understood that something significant needed to be recorded. Several subjects can be seen in news reports as the media gathered around New Orleans, initially providing warnings and later, as many recall, presenting a distorted account in the early days of incorrect reporting and misinformation.

The narratives reveal the factors preventing their evacuation followed by harrowing journeys, some through polluted streets inundated with water, others to the horror of the Superdome or Convention Center, while others crossed over blocked bridges and highways. Each tale carries a blend of heroism and unfortunate mishaps. Notably, Malik Rahim, who I’ll give the first and last words here, has achieved peace after 20 years of contemplation, though feelings of anger and sadness continue to resurface.

The figures are supplemented with interviews from individuals who held official positions in New Orleans during Katrina. It’s important to note that while these professionals were performing their duties, they too were personally affected by Hurricane Katrina, as every police officer and firefighter can attest.

If you’re seeking individuals taking accountability or harshly criticizing themselves, it seems that wasn’t Curry’s intention, or perhaps she didn’t have such individuals at her disposal. For instance, FEMA is portrayed by a figure reminiscent of Cassandra, who shares excerpts from emails and phone calls he attempted to have with unresponsive leadership (Michael Brown conspicuously absent). The local government isn’t represented by then-New Orleans mayor Ray Nagin or Louisiana governor Kathleen Blanco, but rather by a spokesperson whose main concern is shifting the blame elsewhere. Eddie Compass, head of the police department, comes closest to depicting someone who shows remorse, though even this is somewhat muted by focusing on the surrounding confusion.

Instead of providing targets for criticism, Curry showcases the heroes – firefighters, police officers, and others who bravely took to their boats as floodwaters rose, coast guardsmen who daringly lowered themselves from helicopters to rescue those trapped on rooftops, and numerous everyday citizens who selflessly aided their loved ones and strangers in need.

Due to Curry’s extensive collection of personal videos rather than just the familiar clips from CNN and local news (Thanh Truong is among the few journalists featured), she doesn’t require much visual enhancement. Apart from displaying a map that highlights specific neighborhoods and provides context for flooded areas, she primarily alternates between distressingly grainy and blurry images from those troubled times and more refined footage of today’s interviews. The passage of 20 years often gives the impression that these two sets of footage originate from different realities.

Discussing alternate realities, the show reaches a climax emphasizing the persistent duality in New Orleans – the sections appearing fully restored (without mentioning the likely racial and economic makeup of these zones), contrasted with areas that have merely begun to emerge from the shadow world, abandoned lots standing as tributes to those who never came back.

In simpler terms, the story of New Orleans is being repeated in some parts of Texas and North Carolina affected by Hurricane Helene. The events surrounding Hurricane Katrina included a storm, weak infrastructure, and sensationalized stories about crime that overshadowed the real issue – inadequate government preparedness. As Malik Rahim says, New Orleans was a warning sign for America’s coal mines. We are aware of what happened; we must make sure it is not forgotten.

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2025-07-22 16:55