As communities reflect on the two-decade anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, stories emerge highlighting both resilience and ongoing struggles. The anniversary serves as a reminder of the painful lessons learned from the disaster, such as the importance of disaster preparedness and the need for effective emergency management strategies. Many survivors and leaders are calling for renewed attention to infrastructure challenges and social injustices that persist in the wake of the storm. Events commemorating the hurricane include discussions on rebuilding efforts in New Orleans, personal accounts of suffering and recovery, and reflections on how the storm reshaped not only the Gulf Coast but also cities like Houston. As resilience fatigue sets in in some areas, questions remain about the future of New Orleans and whether America should continue to subsidize a city that faces recurrent challenges.