“Hurricane Katrina: Race Against Time” Coming Soon To Nat Geo, Hulu & Disney+

Disney has announced details on a new documentary series, “Hurricane Katrina: Race Against Time”, which is coming soon to the National Geographic channel, Hulu and Disney+ this summer.

Told in unflinching, moment-by-moment detail, “Hurricane Katrina: Race Against Time”  transports viewers into the chaos that engulfed New Orleans as one of the deadliest catastrophes in U.S. history unfolded—capturing the fear, heroism and resilience of those who fought to survive the storm and its aftermath. With the clear-eyed perspective of two decades of hindsight, this gripping historical record corrects persistent false narratives and exposes how a natural disaster became a national tragedy. Grounded in gut-wrenching eyewitness testimony from survivors, first responders and officials, and brought to life with immersive archival footage, the series is an unparalleled, emotionally raw examination of the storm’s personal, political and societal fallout.

On August 29th, 2005, Hurricane Katrina, one of the deadliest and most devastating natural disasters in U.S. history, roared into southeastern Louisiana. It tore through the Gulf Coast with catastrophic power, driving a massive storm surge toward the city and the people of New Orleans. With no rescue in sight, the residents who were left to face the rising floodwaters alone became heroes, fighting to survive against unimaginable odds. 

The new series will premiere on July 27th 2025, at 8/7c on the National Geographic channel with three back-to-back episodes. All episodes will be available to stream on July 28th on Disney+ and Hulu in the United States.  The show will also be released in the United Kingdom on July 28th on the Nat Geo channel and on Disney+.

Executive producers Jonathan Chinn and Simon Chinn (Lightbox) said in a statement about the documentary:

“This is far more than a story about a storm. It’s a compelling, essential reexamination of systemic failure and the enduring consequences of decisions made before, during and after the levees broke.”

Executive producers Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler and Sev Ohanian (Proximity Media) added:

“This series goes beyond the headlines. It reveals stories of survival, heroism and resilience.  It’s a vital historical record and a call to witness, remember and reckon with the truth of Hurricane Katrina’s legacy.”

Here are some details on the episodes in this series:

• EPISODE 1: THE COMING STORM – It’s a typically vibrant New Orleans summer when Hurricane Katrina looms. Sitting in the bullseye of a Category 5, the city faces a reality check. With a delayed evacuation order, many are trapped and forced to brace for the storm’s fury. Residents recount for the first time how they navigated the impending disaster, capturing the harrowing experience of preparing for “The Big One.”
• EPISODE 2: WORST CASE SCENARIO – After Hurricane Katrina passed, citizens soon discovered the levees breached, quickly flooding New Orleans like a bathtub. First responders and everyday citizens jumped in heroically to save locals; many residents were forced to flee their houses for dry land. As residents braved dangerous conditions to survive, ineptitude at all levels of government was exposed as the water rose.
• EPISODE 3: A DESPERATE PLACE – Three days into the flood, rescue operations continue around the clock. Thousands remain trapped, as the government struggles to coordinate a rescue effort. Inside the Superdome, stories of resilience and survival emerge above the sometimes-horrific conditions. Meanwhile, media coverage shifts to emphasize disorder, focusing on looting rather than the thousands still stranded.
• EPISODE 4: SHOOT TO KILL – In post-Katrina New Orleans, Gen. Honoré leads rescue efforts amid pressure to use force, while local heroes tirelessly save lives. Thousands remain stranded in their homes, the Superdome, the convention center, and along the interstate as evacuation efforts continue to fail. Tensions rise while violence erupts and militias target residents.
• EPISODE 5: WAKE UP CALL – New Orleans’ resilient residents exit the city, forming part of the Katrina diaspora. As they navigate the uncertainty of how and when they might restore their lives, a plan for a new New Orleans takes shape. The future of the devastated city hangs in the balance as its residents struggle to return, rebuild and restart their lives even 20 years later.

“Hurricane Katrina: Race Against Time” is a Lightbox production, in association with Proximity Media for National Geographic and is directed by Oscar-nominated Traci A. Curry. Oscar-winning Simon Chinn, Emmy-winning Jonathan Chinn, Myles Estey and Ted Skillman are executive producers for Lightbox. Oscar, Golden Globe and GRAMMY-nominated Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian, Peter Nicks and Kalia King are executive producers, and Kelli Buchanan is co-executive producer for Proximity Media. For National Geographic, Sean David Johnson and Carolyn Payne executive produce, and Tom McDonald is executive vice president of Global Factual and Unscripted Content.

Are you looking forward to watching “Hurricane Katrina: Race Against Time”?  Let me know on social media!