Effects of Hurricane Katrina in Florida

Hurricane Katrina

Radar imagery of Hurricane Katrina moving onshore southeastern Florida on August 25
Meteorological history
Formed	August 24, 2005; tropical storm Katrina approaches South Florida
Dissipated	August 29, 2005; last outer rain bands move out of the Panhandle
Category 1 hurricane
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS)
Highest winds	80 mph (130 km/h)
Lowest pressure	974 mbar (hPa); 28.76 inHg
Overall effects
Fatalities	6 direct, 8 indirect
Damage	$623 million (2005 USD)
Areas affected	South Florida, Florida Panhandle
Part of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season

The effects of Hurricane Katrina in Florida were in both the southern portion of the state and in the panhandle. After developing on August 23, Katrina made landfall near the border of Broward and Miami-Dade counties with 80 mph (130 km/h) winds on August 25. While it was crossing the state, the hurricane's convection was asymmetrical, primarily located to the south and east of the center. As a result, high rainfall totals occurred in the Miami area, peaking at 16.43 in (417 mm) in Perrine. The rains caused flooding, and the combination of rains and winds downed trees and power lines, leaving 1.45 million people without power. Damage in South Florida was estimated at $523 million (2005 USD), mostly as a result of crop damage. Further south, the hurricane spawned a tornado in the Florida Keys. In the island chain, Katrina caused heavy rainfall and gusty winds.

After emerging from the state, Katrina intensified into one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes, becoming a Category 5 on the Saffir–Simpson scale. It moved ashore in Louisiana and Mississippi, although the hurricane's outer periphery produced a 5.37 ft (1.64 m) storm surge in Pensacola along the panhandle. High waves caused beach erosion and closed nearby roadways. There were five tornadoes in northwestern Florida. Damage was estimated along the panhandle at $100 million. Throughout the state, the hurricane killed 14 people, of which 6 were directly related to the storm's effects. Due to damage from Katrina, 11 Florida counties were declared federal disaster areas.