(CNN) -- Five years ago Sunday, the water rushed in, the lights went out and for thousands of Gulf Coast residents nothing was ever the same. The milestone was marked by vigils, tears and reflection on what was, what came after, what still remains to be done and what, if anything, we have learned from Hurricane Katrina. A number of events were planned in New Orleans, Louisiana, and elsewhere to commemorate the anniversary of the landfall of Katrina, the costliest and one of the five deadliest storms ever to strike the United States. President Barack Obama visited New Orleans on Sunday and spoke at Xavier University of Louisiana, where he said that the construction of a fortified levee system to protect the city is under way.
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NEW: Obama speaks at Xavier University in New Orleans
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Commemorations are planned across the Gulf Coast to mark the Katrina anniversary
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Officials reflect on lessons learned from the storm
Katrina also dealt a black eye to the government, which scrambled to launch a delayed relief effort after the storm as @placeholder residents suffered and reports of crime and looting were widespread.