On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast, becoming one of the deadliest and costliest hurricanes in U.S. history. Twenty-one years later, Kurt Knutsson, an award-winning tech journalist, reflects on his experience surviving the storm while trapped inside a New Orleans hotel.

Originally visiting New Orleans for a weekend with his parents, Knutsson found himself caught in the escalating crisis as Katrina intensified. He recalls realizing the urgency to leave the city as conditions worsened, with his father even offering him a ticket to escape. Ultimately, Knutsson returned to the Ritz-Carlton hotel in New Orleans, which he was told was extremely well prepared for hurricanes.

During the storm, Knutsson discovered an uninterruptible power supply in the hotel that normally backed up a computer, a crucial resource amid widespread power failures. He also emphasizes the importance of practical preparedness tips, such as always knowing how to obtain GPS coordinates and keeping a Ziploc bag handy in any weather.

Knutsson highlights modern technology's role in emergency readiness, noting that supported Samsung Galaxy phones with Verizon allow users to practice using Satellite SOS before an actual emergency arises.

Reflecting on his ordeal, Knutsson said, "I was willing to grab the skid of the helicopter in any way I could just to get out," underscoring the desperation many faced during the disaster.

His experience has profoundly shaped how he prepares for emergencies, blending practical survival tactics with technological tools to improve safety.

Sources