Hurricane
Katrina
Metairie Photo Gallery
Most of
Metairie is located below sea level. An elaborate network of canals and
pumps adequately removes water during heavy rains and generally keeps most
areas from flooding most of the time. Meteorologist are able to
predict the intensity and projected path of approaching hurricanes with a
fair degree of accuracy. However, the possibility of a late turn as landfall
approaches requires that strike probabilities be forecast over a fairly wide
area, often with varying percentages of probability. The parish government
usually monitors the pumping stations during storm conditions, to assure
that the parish is draining properly.
Due to the magnitude and the projected path of
Hurricane Katrina a mandatory evacuation was ordered. The Jefferson Parish
President implemented the "Doomsday Plan", which apparently
assumed the conditions of life-threatening devastation. The highly
efficient drainage pumps were all turned off in anticipation of Hurricane
Katrina. The parish's drainage pump operators were also evacuated and
transported to a safe location far outside the parish and the drainage pumps
remained off throughout the hurricane and for several days thereafter.
Seventy-Five percent of
Metairie's homes sustained some flooding and the Parish President was
subjected to severe criticism. Since the "Doomsday Plan" had been
adopted during a previous administration, the Parish President explained his
actions as placing human life above the value of damaged property.
Katrina served as a "wake-up" call, which has resulted in improved planning
for flood control and the creation of new specialized levee boards.
Jefferson Parish has significantly improved its hurricane plans, including
the construction of "safe houses", where pump operators can ride-out the
storms while remaining in Jefferson Parish.
Many people have placed
Katrina photos on the web. Many of these photographs were found in various
locations on the web,
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The 17th Street Canal Levee Breach. |
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This canal separates Metairie from New Orleans. The New Orleans side breached causing devastating flooding in Lakeview. |
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Airline Drive at Cleary Avenue. |
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Bricks may not withstand hurricane forces. |
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