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New Orleans Levees

September 1, 2008

Hurricane Gustav made landfall Monday, slamming the heart of Louisiana’s fishing and oil industry and testing New Orleans’ levees with 110 mph winds before weakening to a category 1 storm. But, as people watched, they had to ask the question, why did the Corps of Engineers only build some levees only eight feet tall? What would have happened had there been a cat 4 hurricane or one hitting 50 miles closer to New Orleans?

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Yes, the levees held; however, one has to ask several questions.

“We are seeing some overtopping waves,” said Col. Jeff Bedey, commander of the Army Corps of Engineers’ hurricane protection office. “We are cautiously optimistic and confident that we won’t see catastrophic wall failure.” A railroad bridge across the Industrial Canal was in the down position, causing a 3-foot backup of water, The Times-Picayune reported. Officials said the bridge could be lifted, but cannot sustain hurricane-force winds.

Overtopping levees, particularly when it is only wave-driven water, is much less alarming than levee breaches, which have not been reported, Nagin said. The biggest concern throughout the day was whether the levees on the west bank of the Mississippi River would hold out. “The Corps continues to closely monitor conditions on the west bank and other areas,” said Rene Poche, a Corps spokesman. “The Corps anticipates localized flooding due to heavy rainfall. The storm remains extremely dangerous.”

Katrina brought a storm surge of 25 feet that breached levees in New Orleans. While the Army Corps of Engineers has shored up some of the city’s levee system since then, there were concerns about the city’s West Bank, where levee repairs have not been completed.

So, while Gustav backed off before landfall with winds less than expected, the big problem is flooding and though the levees held, questions will have to be asked if they are good enough for what might come before the year is out. The Fat Lady is still not singing.

Written by Ernie · Filed Under Daily Commentary 

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