In pictures: A look back at Hurricane Katrina

Ten years ago, Hurricane Katrina swept buildings off their foundations and deluged nearly all of New Orleans with floodwaters which rose so fast some people drowned in their homes. Those who made it to their rooftops or the relative safety of dry land waited days to be rescued as the Big Easy descended into chaos. Today, colourful homes on stilts have replaced many of the rotting hulks left behind after the low-lying coastal city in the southern United States was finally drained.

Updated

Published

Aug 20, 2015, 12:40 PM

Volunteer coordinator Darren McKinney working on a hurricane-damaged home in the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans Aug 17, 2015. Mr McKinney works for lowernine.org, an organisation aiding residents rebuild homes. PHOTO: AFP

An abandoned house, damaged by Hurricane Katrina, is seen in the lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans on Aug 17, 2015. PHOTO: AFP

An abandoned house, damaged by Hurricane Katrina, is seen in the lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans on Aug 15, 2015. PHOTO: AFP

A file photo taken on Aug 31, 2005, showing fallen trees outside New Orleans, Louisiana, where houses were submerged to the roof by floodwaters. PHOTO: AFP

A file photo taken on Sept 1, 2005, showing a baby being passed above the crowd as people wait to leave the Superdome in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina swept buildings off their foundations and deluged nearly all of New Orleans with floodwaters which rose so fast some people drowned in their homes. PHOTO: AFP

A file picture taken on Sept 1, 2005, showing a man with his head on a shopping cart across from the Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana, in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. PHOTO: AFP

A file picture taken on Aug 29, 2005, showing debris scattered across Canal street in the French quarter of New Orleans, as Hurricane Katrina makes landfall. PHOTO: AFP

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