For reference here are inflation rates YOY since 2017:
2017 2.10%
2018 1.90%
2019 2.30%
2020 1.40%
2021 7.00%
2022 6.50%
2023 3.40%
Just to make up for the last three years of inflation they would need +16.9% instantly. Assuming +2% inflation over those 4 years (which is the average but not right now) that means from 2020 to 2028 inflation rose 26.3% so if they started a +25% increase over 4 years this year, the workers would have the same spending power they had in 2020.
Data is from the bureau of labor statistics
There are lines for grocery stores but it’s mostly because the store itself is throttling the number of people in the store at the same time, gas is non-existent, no cell or Internet connection, many without power or water or both. I don’t know if it’s as bad as Katrina but it is certainly pretty bad and way worse than when the area was hit by multiple hurricanes in the late 2,000s.