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Hurricane Katrina: Then and now

By Mario Tama

Updated 9:47 AM ET, Mon August 17, 2015

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A man in New Orleans' Lower Ninth Ward rides a canoe in high water on August 31, 2005. Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast on August 29, 2005. After levees and flood walls protecting New Orleans failed, much of the city was underwater. At least 1,833 died in the hurricane and subsequent floods. It was the costliest natural disaster in U.S. history.
Photos: Hurricane Katrina: Then and now
Then – A man in New Orleans' Lower Ninth Ward rides a canoe in high water on August 31, 2005. Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast on August 29, 2005. After levees and flood walls protecting New Orleans failed, much of the city was underwater. At least 1,833 died in the hurricane and subsequent floods. It was the costliest natural disaster in U.S. history.
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A woman walks with a dog in the Lower Ninth Ward on May 16, 2015.
Photos: Hurricane Katrina: Then and now
Now – A woman walks with a dog in the Lower Ninth Ward on May 16, 2015.
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Robert Fontaine walks past a burning house fire in New Orleans' Seventh Ward on September 6, 2005.
Photos: Hurricane Katrina: Then and now
Then – Robert Fontaine walks past a burning house fire in New Orleans' Seventh Ward on September 6, 2005.
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Houses stand in the Seventh Ward on May 12, 2015.
Photos: Hurricane Katrina: Then and now
Now – Houses stand in the Seventh Ward on May 12, 2015.
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Residents of the B.W. Cooper housing project play on mattresses on June 10, 2007. Before Hurricane Katrina, B.W. Cooper held about 1,000 families and was the city's largest housing project.
Photos: Hurricane Katrina: Then and now
Then – Residents of the B.W. Cooper housing project play on mattresses on June 10, 2007. Before Hurricane Katrina, B.W. Cooper held about 1,000 families and was the city's largest housing project.
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On May 12, 2015, rubble remains at what used to be the B.W. Cooper housing project. The low-income development has been replaced by two-story, townhouse-style buildings.
Photos: Hurricane Katrina: Then and now
Now – On May 12, 2015, rubble remains at what used to be the B.W. Cooper housing project. The low-income development has been replaced by two-story, townhouse-style buildings.
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Duette Sims stands in the heavily damaged Christian Community Baptist Church in New Orleans' Lower Ninth Ward on August 28, 2007.
Photos: Hurricane Katrina: Then and now
Then – Duette Sims stands in the heavily damaged Christian Community Baptist Church in New Orleans' Lower Ninth Ward on August 28, 2007.
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Parishioners gather during Sunday services in the rebuilt church on May 10, 2015.
Photos: Hurricane Katrina: Then and now
Now – Parishioners gather during Sunday services in the rebuilt church on May 10, 2015.
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On April 25, 2006, workers in the Lower Ninth Ward rebuild the levee that was breached by Hurricane Katrina along the Industrial Canal.
Photos: Hurricane Katrina: Then and now
Then – On April 25, 2006, workers in the Lower Ninth Ward rebuild the levee that was breached by Hurricane Katrina along the Industrial Canal.
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New homes stand along the rebuilt Industrial Canal levee on May 16, 2015.
Photos: Hurricane Katrina: Then and now
Now – New homes stand along the rebuilt Industrial Canal levee on May 16, 2015.
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Two men paddle through the streets past the Claiborne Bridge in New Orleans on August 31, 2005.
Photos: Hurricane Katrina: Then and now
Then – Two men paddle through the streets past the Claiborne Bridge in New Orleans on August 31, 2005.
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A school bus drops off a student in front of the Claiborne Bridge on May 12, 2015.
Photos: Hurricane Katrina: Then and now
Now – A school bus drops off a student in front of the Claiborne Bridge on May 12, 2015.
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A lightning bolt strikes above a destroyed church in the Lower Ninth Ward on August 5, 2006. Dozens of churches were destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.
Photos: Hurricane Katrina: Then and now
Then – A lightning bolt strikes above a destroyed church in the Lower Ninth Ward on August 5, 2006. Dozens of churches were destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.
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New homes stand in the Lower Ninth Ward on May 15, 2015.
Photos: Hurricane Katrina: Then and now
Now – New homes stand in the Lower Ninth Ward on May 15, 2015.
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A group of Amish student volunteers tour the Lower Ninth Ward on February 24, 2006.
Photos: Hurricane Katrina: Then and now
Then – A group of Amish student volunteers tour the Lower Ninth Ward on February 24, 2006.
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On May 16, 2015, new homes stand in a development, built by the Make It Right Foundation, for residents whose homes were destroyed.
Photos: Hurricane Katrina: Then and now
Now – On May 16, 2015, new homes stand in a development, built by the Make It Right Foundation, for residents whose homes were destroyed.
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Water floods a cemetery outside St. Patrick's Church in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, on September 11, 2005.
Photos: Hurricane Katrina: Then and now
Then – Water floods a cemetery outside St. Patrick's Church in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, on September 11, 2005.
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The cemetery on May 16, 2015.
Photos: Hurricane Katrina: Then and now
Now – The cemetery on May 16, 2015.
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Photographer Mario Tama revisits areas of Louisiana that were devastated by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. At least 1,833 people died in the hurricane and subsequent floods.