To commemorate the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, we are inviting people to the memorial that’s open 24/7 to inform the community and public of the “Wall with their Names.”

To talk about the victims of Hurricane Katrina on the 20 year anniversary of their death is important for several reasons: it can help family and friends process grief and find a sense of closure, it can provide valuable information, and it can help educate the public about the impact of their loss. Ones thoughts allow those affected by a death and loss to express how it has impacted their lives, which can be therapeutic. 

The Hurricane Katrina memorial located at 212 Loyola is the only one in the World that features the full names of all 1,830 plus victims to commemorate a powerful and deeply personal connection to the individuals being honored. While the other two New Orleans and Biloxi memorials can evoke emotions and symbolize events, names provide a direct link to the human element, fostering a greater sense of remembrance, and preventing anonymity of loss. 

While the New Orleans and Biloxi memorials  can represent the larger event or concept, the names etched in gold leaf on the Hurricane Katrina memorial located across the street from the Main Public Library personalize the experience, reminding us that each life held significance and deserves to be remembered individually. The inscription of names creates a comprehensive and deeply impactful memorial that truly honors and preserves the legacies of those being commemorated. 

The memorial, conceptualized by New Orleans artist, curator and publisher Terrence Sanders-Smith and fabricated by Nicholas Hasslock  in 2011 with the support of architect/developer Marcel Wisznia. The memorial wall and Saratoga building has Historic Preservation Status meaning it can never be demolished or removed. This memorial, in perpetuity, will stand the test of time as a solemn reminder of lives lost and the resilience of the New Orleans community.

How to Participate:

• Share a story, memory, or photo of your loved one whose name is on the memorial wall.

• Visit the wall and share an image of you pointing to their name.

• Post on social media using: #KatrinaMemorialStories #StoriesBehindTheNames #KatrinaStories and tag the memorial’s social media accounts.

• Or, submit your story directly to us using the form below.

Images and Stories will be compiled into a digital archive and shared on our website.

“We can forgive, but we must never forget,” said Sanders-Smith. “Every name on this wall represents a story worth telling — a life, a family, a legacy. This memorial is about honoring those lives through the voices of those who loved them.”

New Orleans Hurricane Katrina Victims Memorial

(The Wall With Their Names)

ESTABLISHED 2011