In late August，2005，Hurricane Katrina，one of the most destructive （hurricane） in American history，hit the south-eastern parts of the country.It began August 23，and caused only slight damage in the beginning.But it soon grew to be a Category 5 hurricane over the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico， （cause） severe damage along its path.
New Orleans，a city was built largely below sea level，was worst hit.In reaction to the coming hurricane，the city government gave order to clear the city of all residents. ， many stayed in the city.Some of them chose （stay） because they believed that the city's defense system would keep （they） safe and sound，but others were unable to leave because they had no access to transport.The defense system finally failed.As a result，80%of the city flooded for weeks.People were stuck in the city without power，food，or drinking water， （anxious）waiting for rescue.
A week later，the hurricane died away.In all，Hurricane Katrin a caused nearly 2，000 deaths，and （leave） millions of people homeless.
