New Orleans has a flavor and character all its own with an Old World charm and a steady Cajun beat. The scent of magnolia blossoms fills the air mixed with the delicious and unmistakable aroma of gumbo. The entire nation grieved when Hurricane Katrina submerged the city and is now rejoicing as New Orleans has proven its soul cannot be crushed.
However, New Orleans will likely face floodwaters again. The city is located along the Gulf Coast and is surrounded by water with the Mississippi River on one side and Lake Pontchartrain on the other. Other natural waterways nearby include Lake Saint Catherine, Lake Cataouatche, Lake Borgne, Bayou St. John, Bayou Bienvenue, Bayou Metairie, Chef Menteur Pass, and the Rigolets.
Further still, much of New Orleans is below sea level. The geography alone is a recipe for disaster, even in the absence of brutal storms. To make matters worse, marshlands surrounding New Orleans have been drained to make way for development with aggravated an already bad situation.
A series of underground canals and pumping stations have been in place throughout New Orleans since the mid-1800s. These canals improved drainage but also encouraged development in lower lying areas. While the canals and pumps helped improve drainage, they were not foolproof. The pumping stations have failed many times, causing catastrophic floods.
Hurricane Katrina wasn't entirely responsible for the catastrophic flooding of New Orleans. The storm's massive surge overwhelmed levees, flooding the 9th Ward and Eastern New Orleans while canals designed to pump water away from the city into Lake Pontchartrain failed and instead reversed water flow. Residents in areas far from the levee breaches reported flooding that came up from the city's sewer system. Eventually, 80 complete.
According to a June 16, 2008 announcement by NOAA, New Orleans is at risk for flooding from Category 2 and above hurricanes. Even with over $7 billion for improvements since Hurricane Katrina, the New Orleans flood risk remains extremely high. In particular, the West Bank levee system would likely be overtopped by storm surges which could flood Algiers, Jefferson, and St. Charles Parishes as well as portions of St. Tammany Parish and Plaquemines Parish.
While repairs continue and the heartbeat of New Orleans brings people back for a taste of Cajun living, Mardi Gras, and the French Quarter experience, the threat of flooding looms large. With each new hurricane season, weary residents wonder what's in store.
So, what do you do if you've returned to live in St. John the Baptist, St. Charles Kenner, Metairie, Jefferson, Chalmette, St. Bernard, or any other New Orleans parish? Do you wait in fear for the next storm or do you embrace the heart and soul that is New Orleans?
No matter how you choose to live in New Orleans, being aware doesn't mean that you must be fearful. Learn about the specific risks and keep an eye on approaching storms. Do you have an escape plan? Do you have a disaster kit? One of the best resources on the Internet for New Orleans residents to find accurate information is Nola.com's Hurricane Center. You'll find weather outlooks, parish-by-parish alerts, evacuation guides, evacuation maps, emergency preparedness guides, fact sheets, advice, and much more.
While hurricanes strike the Gulf coast every season, burst pipes, overflowing toilets, leaking water heaters, and other hazards also regularly flood New Orleans residences and businesses.
Flooding and water damage are facts of life in New Orleans. So too are boiled shrimp gumbo, Cajun spices, beautiful architecture, a vibrant lifestyle, and jazz music.