Fact Check

Does Photo Show a Satellite View of Hurricane Katrina?

On Aug. 23, 2005, meteorologists identified the storm that would become Hurricane Katrina about 350 miles east of Miami.

by David Mikkelson, Published Dec. 9, 2012 Updated Aug. 23, 2022


Despite its reputation as an all-purpose storm photograph, this picture is actually a satellite image of Hurricane Floyd from September 1999

Despite its reputation as an all-purpose storm photograph, this picture is actually a satellite image of Hurricane Floyd from September 1999


Claim:
A photograph shows a satellite image of Hurricane Katrina.
Rating:
Miscaptioned

About this rating


The above-displayed photograph — a satellite-generated image of a weather phenomenon — has to be one of the hardest-working pictures in show business.

In September 2004, it was circulated as a photograph of Hurricane Frances; In December 2004, it was circulated as a photograph of the Indian Ocean tsunami, and, in August 2005, it was circulated as a photograph of Hurricane Katrina.

Despite its reputation as an all-purpose storm photograph, this picture is actually a satellite image of Hurricane Floyd from September 1999. Similar genuine satellite images of Hurricane Katrina (such as this one) can be found on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) website.


By David Mikkelson

David Mikkelson founded the site now known as snopes.com back in 1994.


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