Hurricane Katrina Landfall
As Hurricane Katrina makes landfall, residents of Buras-Triumph, Louisiana, are caught in rising floodwaters, desperately trying to evacuate while emergency responders struggle to reach those stranded
Setting
A small residential neighborhood in Buras-Triumph, Louisiana, with modest single-story homes, now partially submerged in rising floodwaters. Streets are turning into rivers, with debris floating by—furniture, branches, and personal belongings. Power lines dangle precariously, and emergency vehicles are stalled in the water.
Characters
Local Fisherman
primary
A middle-aged man with a weathered face, tanned from years working on the water. His muscular arms bear scars from fishing lines, and his calloused hands grip a wooden boat paddle. His short-cropped hair is streaked with gray, and his deep-set eyes scan the rising waters with urgency.
Elderly Neighbor
secondary
A frail woman in her late 70s with silver hair pulled into a loose bun, her deeply lined face showing years of weathering the Gulf Coast climate. She has pale blue eyes that appear slightly clouded with age. Her thin frame is slightly hunched from osteoporosis.
News Reporter
secondary
A middle-aged journalist in his late 30s, with a lean build and slightly disheveled hair from the wind and rain. He wears rectangular glasses that are now speckled with raindrops and has a determined yet weary expression. His khaki pants and button-up shirt are soaked, and he has a press badge clipped to his collar.
EMT
secondary
A young emergency medical technician, mid-20s, with a lean but strong build from years of lifting patients. Wears a standard-issue EMT uniform, now soaked and clinging to their frame. Their face is streaked with sweat and rain, eyes squinting against the wind.
Stranded Teenager
background
A teenager, about 16 years old, with a lean and wiry build. Their face is streaked with dirt and rain, hair plastered to their forehead by the storm. Their clothes are soaked and clinging, muscles tense from gripping the tree.
Dialog
Local Fisherman
Miss LeBlanc, get on the raft now, cher—water’s comin' up faster 'n we can move!
Elderly Neighbor
Non, non—my photo album first! It’s all I got left of my Pierre.
News Reporter
Sir—how many people are still stranded in this neighborhood? Are the responders making it in?
Local Fisherman
Ain’t no responders here yet—just us. Tide’s got 'em blocked at Main.
Elderly Neighbor
Mon Dieu... my house—it’s just... gone.
News Reporter
We’re live from Buras-Triumph, where entire blocks are vanishing under the surge—
Local Fisherman
Reporter man—quit narratin’ and help me push this dang raft!