Hurricane Katrina: An Unprecedented Disaster
The intensity of the 2005 hurricane season was unprecedented—with storms hitting at more than twice the frequency and severity of typical seasons. The normal seasonal average is 10 named storms, six hurricanes and two major hurricanes, according to the National Hurricane Center. But from the beginning of June to the end of November, there were 27 named storms—surpassing the record of 21 set in 1933. Thirteen of these storms were classified as hurricanes, edging out the previous record of 12 set in 1969. And three reached Category 5 status with wind speeds greater than 155 m.p.h. at some point during the arc of the storm.