effect hurricane katrina hurricane katrina devastated city new_orleans louisiana august caused extensive damage known national_basketball_association nba unable play home games entire season temporarily relocated oklahoma new_orleans playing majority home games seasons returned new_orleans season following success tenure city relocated season compete response extensive damage resulting hurricane play season came question suffered slight damage flooding surrounding area impossible use training camp scheduled begin october team announced weeks camp held colorado instead usual location additionally team stated wanted play home games louisiana september owner stated storm reason permanently relocate franchise september prospect securing location host fading result facilities utilized hurricane related relief operations numerous cities hosting franchise season including kansas_city louisville nashville san_diego period announced favored choice serve temporary home franchise mid september announced new_orleans arena potentially ready occupancy late september finalized games played ford center additionally announced games march moved new_orleans arena repairs complete time nba announced team referred officially new_orleans deal reached allow team return season necessary delayed return order allow recovery new_orleans market wake storm nba announced january remain season return season league announced new_orleans play host star game addition hosting team home games season guarantees league organization indicated return fans new_orleans skeptical permanent return popularity team opened season point win sacramento kings november played game louisiana loss december played professional sports event new_orleans hurricane katrina march lost completed season winning games tenth team boston play home games separate venues new_orleans norman oklahoma finished attendance previous season new_orleans playing averaged fans increase referring fan support star said feeling special mayor said expectations exceeded repair work new arena finished march new video displays added process june stated pleased ongoing recovery process new_orleans reaffirmed desire permanently return season announced process negotiating play season plan opened season new_orleans win improved final record previous season game finished tenth games playoffs attendance declined slightly compared previous season finished 15th overall attendance permanent return new_orleans october defeated sacramento kings open season following seasons averaged attendance star game nba donated million relief work staged program city help rebuilding efforts
Effect of Hurricane Katrina on the New Orleans Hornets