The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers soon will hand over permanent pumping stations at the mouths of New Orleans' three primary drainage canals. The temporary pumps, which were beset with corrosion for years, will go offline.
A regional approach was taken for flood protection after Hurricane Katrina, but not for funding. A new law could be the first step in setting up a tax to fund hurricane protection throughout Orleans, Jefferson and St. Bernard parishes.
He said he'd direct it for hurricane protection, but he has since backtracked.
The levees wouldn't collapse in a powerful hurricane, but storm surge probably would push over the top.
If local levee boards had followed inspection rules before Hurricane Katrina, they may have known about weaknesses before parts of the flood protection system collapsed in the storm. Now 11 employees work full-time inspecting and testing levees, floodwalls and equipment around New Orleans.
The state would like to raise the interstate or build levees to protect it, but lacks the funds.
The highest rates of sinking afflict communities protected by levees, New Orleans among them.
Citizens for 1 Greater New Orleans urges legislators to stand with your constituents and vote against SB 553.
Join us at noon Friday to discuss issues raised about the flood protection system.
