20 years after Katrina, St. Bernard Parish's population hasn't recovered

By Jeff Brady

Published August 22, 2025 at 4:02 PM EDT

After Hurricane Katrina flooded St. Bernard Parish near New Orleans in 2005, residents had to decide whether they would return and rebuild. Twenty years later, about half of the residents chose to leave, but new flood protections encouraged some to return to their homes.

National

Jeff Brady

Jeff Brady is a correspondent on NPR's Climate Desk. His reporting focuses on decisions people and governments make that will determine whether and how the U.S. addresses the urgency and consequences of climate change. A key element of Brady's reporting is holding accountable those who block or stall efforts to address climate change in an effort to preserve their business.

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20 years after Katrina, St. Bernard Parish's population hasn't recovered

Support quality journalism, like the story above, with your gift right now.

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with your gift right now.