TIL Hurricane Katrina permanently displaced so many people along the Gulf Coast that it is considered by most definitions to be a diaspora. 40% of evacuees were unable to return home, resulting in permanent demographic changes. The New Orleans population has still not recovered to pre-Katrina levels
In short
The displacement after Hurricane Katrina resulted in a 254,502 population decrease in New Orleans, with the city's population falling from 484,674 to an estimated 230,172. The displaced residents were primarily located in suburban New Orleans, with an additional 220,000 evacuees seeking shelter in Texas.
Key points
- The displacement after Hurricane Katrina resulted in a significant demographic shift in N…: The displacement after Hurricane Katrina resulted in a significant demographic shift in New Orleans.
- The city's population has yet to fully recover to pre-Katrina levels.: The city's population has yet to fully recover to pre-Katrina levels.
- The displaced residents were primarily located in suburban New Orleans and Texas.: The displaced residents were primarily located in suburban New Orleans and Texas.