Friday marked 20 years since Hurricane Katrina tore through the US Gulf Coast, leaving behind catastrophic damage. It remains one of the deadliest natural disasters in American history.
On 29th August 2005, the storm struck Florida before intensifying over Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi. It ultimately caused nearly 1,400 deaths and an estimated $205bn (£151.6bn) in damage.
Among those on the ground was The Salvation Army, which launched the largest domestic disaster response in its history following the hurricane.
The Christian organisation served more than 4.7 million hot meals, distributed nearly 7 million sandwiches, snacks, and drinks, and provided shelter to thousands. Salvation Army chaplains also offered emotional and spiritual support to more than 100,000 people.
Jeff Jellets, who was the Salvation Army’s Territorial Disaster Coordinator at the time, oversaw relief efforts across 15 states.
He told Premier Christian News about how he remembers the scale of the destruction the hurricane left behind.
“You had catastrophic damage on the coast of Mississippi,” he said. “ A wall of water came in and literally ripped homes and businesses from their foundations. And then you had massive flooding in New Orleans, which forced nearly a million people to evacuate. It really transitioned into a national emergency as the country tried to rally around survivors.”
The Salvation Army deployed 170 feeding units, distributed tens of thousands of cleanup kits, and supported communities in long-term recovery efforts for more than a decade.
Jellets said although he was responding on a practical level, there was also spiritual response involved. “Our job wasn’t just to feed stomachs,” he said. “It was to remind people that God hadn’t abandoned them.”
Jellets admitted the work was overwhelming at times, but his faith anchored him.
“Faith has always been a rock and a source of resilience,” he said. “We don’t always know why disasters happen, but we can be a presence for those in crisis so they’re not alone. We can listen, we can pray, and we can offer practical aid. For me, that faith that the Lord provides redemption is what kept me going.”
Jellets said he also witnessed God at work as communities began to rebuild.
“Disasters bring out horrific images, but also incredible connections of hope,” he said. I remember an elderly woman, returning to her rebuilt home, saying her prayer was that her new neighbourhood would have families, teachers, and children again. For her, it wasn’t just about a house; it was about God restoring community.”
Jellets added: “Every time another storm threatens, survivors remember Katrina. That trauma resurfaces. But at the same time, there’s resilience. People are more prepared, and they lean on their faith.”
Asked how he prays for survivors as they’re reminded about the tragedy 20 years on, Jellets said: “I pray for resilience and strength, protection from future storms, and for the first responders who serve in these moments of crisis. Hebrews tells us God will not forget what you have done for his people. That gives me hope, that our service, no matter how small, matters to him.”
You can listen to the full interview with Jeff Jellets below:
