Hurricane Katrina Flooding

On August 29, 2005, Metairie was hit hard by the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina, including widespread wind damage and flooding.

Metairie's flooding had three causes:

1).  Lake Ponchartrain Backflow Into Drainage Canals. Jefferson Parish President Aaron Broussard evacuated all pumping station operators from their posts to spots over one hundred miles away in Washington Parish in anticipation of the hurricane. Normally, the machines would be on, not only preventing the Lake from flowing into the drainage canals, but also pumping the rain waters out. This largely resulted in the severe flooding of Metairie in most areas north of Interstate 10.

2).  Heavy Rainfall.  Most of Metairie is between two and seven feet below sea level.  All rain water is captured in the Metairie "bowl".  The water is removed by large drainage pumps.  The pumps were turned off and the pump operators were evacuated before the storm and unable to return for nearly two days.  The pumps remained off for days, before, during, and after the hurricane, and many areas that would not have flooded sustained sustained significant flooding and wide spread property damages.

3).  The 17th Street Canal Breach. This canal is the border between Metairie and New Orleans.  There was no breach on the Metairie side of the canal, however, water crept into Metairie through Airline Highway. The narrow high ground of Metairie Road and some elevated railroad tracks partially contained the area of flooding to the southern part of Old Metairie, where many of Metairie's historic homes sustained significant damage. A majority of Metairie's post-Katrina looting occurred in Old Metairie.

(Information source - Wikipedia)