Almost 20 years after Hurricane Katrina, one of the deadliest and most devastating natural disasters in U.S. history, roared into southeastern Louisiana on August 29, 2005, the documentary series Hurricane Katrina: Race Against Time will debut on National Geographic. The five-part documentary series takes a look at the disaster directly from those who lived through it.

Directed by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Traci A. Curry (Attica), the series premieres July 27 at 8/7c on National Geographic with three back-to-back episodes. All episodes will be available to stream July 28 on Disney+ and Hulu.

Through unprecedented access to archival footage and eyewitness testimony, Hurricane Katrina: Race Against Time is a historical record of the storm and its aftermath. With unflinching urgency, the series exposes how a natural disaster became a national tragedy. The riveting, moment-by-moment portrayal offers new details of how the storm and ensuing flood unfolded in real time and transports viewers into the chaos that engulfed the city in the days leading up to and following the hurricane’s landfall.

The series unfolds directly from the residents, first responders, and officials who were in New Orleans during the disaster. Each episode is immersed in their lived experiences and their voices present a captivating and powerful retelling and a necessary correction to persistent false narratives.

“This is far more than a story about a storm,” said executive producers Jonathan Chinn and Simon Chinn (Lightbox). “It’s a compelling, essential reexamination of systemic failure and the enduring consequences of decisions made before, during and after the levees broke.”

“This series goes beyond the headlines. It reveals stories of survival, heroism and resilience,” added executive producers Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler and Sev Ohanian (Proximity Media). “It’s a vital historical record and a call to witness, remember and reckon with the truth of Hurricane Katrina’s legacy.”

Watch the trailer for Hurricane Katrina: Race Against Time.

Episodes of the Hurricane Katrina: Race Against Time documentary series

EPISODE 1: THE COMING STORM
Premieres July 27 at 8/7c, streams next day on Disney+ and Hulu
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
Premieres July 27 at 9/8c, streams next day on Disney+ and Hulu
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
Premieres July 27 at 10/9c, streams next day on Disney+ and Hulu
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
Premieres July 28 at 8/7c, streams same day on Disney+ and Hulu
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
Premieres July 28 at 9/8c, streams same day on Disney+ and Hulu
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.