In August 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast, damaging 90,000 square miles, an area the size of Oregon. Hurricane Katrina created the worst municipal finance crisis in US history, according to the New York Times, as the storm damaged the tax base of the entire region. Since the 1950s, the federal government has required local governments to have emergency plans to address response to and recovery from disasters. Local government continuity of operations depends on the ability and willingness of employees to remain at work or return to work. Although Katrina was a catastrophe for the Gulf Coast region, some businesses were well prepared. Those that weathered the storm had employee support as a central part of their disaster plans. Government agencies can learn valuable business continuity lessons from private-sector practices during Hurricane Katrina.