Hurricane Katrina

Founded as a hospital for the poor, Charity Hospital began in 1736 as just a small cottage built on the goodwill of a dying French merchant. Ran by the nuns of the Daughters of Charity and serving the city of New Orleans for close to 300 years, it gradually transformed into an enormous public institution - into Big Charity - and a longstanding symbol of compassion, a seemingly eternal place of safety and a beacon of hope in the community. Today the towering art deco building, closed abruptly after Hurricane Katrina hit in August 2005, stands empty, and the community continues to suffer devastating consequences from its absence. This documentary film includes never-before-seen footage and exclusive interviews to tell the story of Charity Hospital, from its roots to its controversial closing in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. From the firsthand accounts of healthcare providers and hospital employees who withstood the storm inside the hospital, to interviews with key players involved in the closing of Charity, Big Charity shares the untold, true story around its demise and sheds new light on the sacrifices made for the sake of progress. Twitter: https://twitter.com/realstoriesdocs Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/RealStoriesChannel Instagram - @realstoriesdocs Subscribe to Real Stories Shorts for bitesize documentary content: shorturl.at/dAKT3 Content licensed from [Passion River]. Any queries, please contact us at: owned-enquiries@littledotstudios.com If you loved this film, Real Stories has hundreds more full-length documentaries, click the link to enjoy: http://bit.ly/1GOzpIu

In August 2005, Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast, becoming one of the most destructive storms in United States history. This documentary recounts the terrifying experience of those who lived through the category 5 hurricane, from the violent winds and storm surges to the catastrophic failure of the levees that left 80% of New Orleans submerged. As floodwaters rose, thousands were left stranded on rooftops and in their homes, fighting for survival. But the natural disaster was just the beginning. This film reveals the full story of the government's slow and inadequate response, the chaos inside the Superdome, and the political mismanagement that made the crisis even worse. We hear from the survivors who lost everything, the families separated by the largest displacement of people in decades, and the residents of New Orleans who continue to grapple with the storm's long-term legacy. Instagram - @realstoriesdocs Any queries, please contact us at: owned-enquiries@littledotstudios.com