Remembering Hurricane Katrina, 11 years later

On August 29, 2005 Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast -- leaving its mark as one of the strongest storms to ever impact the U.S. coast.

Devastation ranged from Louisiana to Alabama to Mississippi and claimed 1,833 lives. It was the costliest hurricane to ever hit the U.S., causing an estimated $108 billion in damage.

SEE ALSO: The 11 Costliest Hurricanes in U.S. History

The storm was marked as a Category 3, bringing about destructive 125 mph winds.The levees protecting New Orleans failed, and almost 80% of the area was affected by flooding. The Gulf suffered over 90,000 square miles in damages -- which is roughly the size of the United Kingdom.

Many sought refuge at the Superdome which was a haven for those who didn't leave the city. The aftermath of the storm was devastating, leaving almost a million people displaced. The National Guard rescued around 34,000 people in New Orleans.

Over a decade later, and the area is still recovering from the tragic event.

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The government rebuilt a stronger levee system and gave over $120 billion dollars toward emergency relief.

Since, more than half of New Orleans' 72 neighborhoods affected have recovered over 90% of their population.

11 years later, Hurricane Katrina remains one of most devastating natural disasters in recent U.S. history.

See more photos of Hurricane Katrina in the gallery below: