Hurricane Katrina was a Category 3 hurricane at the time of its landfall, with sustained winds of around 125 miles per hour (200 kilometers per hour). It was one of the most powerful hurricanes to strike the United States in recorded history. Hurricane Katrina primarily impacted the Gulf Coast region of the U.S., particularly the states of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. The city of New Orleans, Louisiana, was one of the most severely affected areas.