how do i flood thee? let me count the ways...

May 18, 2006 8:21 AM

Flash flood! A New Orleans Times Picayune flash animation of exactly how, and where, and when the city of New Orleans and surrounding areas flooded during Hurricane Katrina. Here's the accompanying article. Even as a local, I had no idea how weak the levee systems were. And apparently still are. Here's some more info from a local grassroots group fighting for better levee protection.
posted by ab3 (18 comments total)

Two weeks to hurricane season! Where's my rum?
posted by ColdChef at 8:29 AM on May 18, 2006

That animation was really interesting. Nice post, ab3.
posted by saladin at 8:57 AM on May 18, 2006

Cool animation. Very helpful in understanding the systemic collapse and not just a few isolated spots.
posted by stbalbach at 9:11 AM on May 18, 2006

I thought the most telling part was the section about how one section of embankment was six feet (!) lower than the floodwalls (scene 10). Isn't that like building a brick wall with a picket fence gate in it?
posted by Skorgu at 9:15 AM on May 18, 2006

The "wind" noises are a bit much, but otherwise this is pretty cool. Someone should do a survey of how technology was affected by the storm, primarily the use of GPS tech and GoogleEarth.
posted by ColdChef at 9:40 AM on May 18, 2006

I got your rum out here in Hammond, ColdChef... we won't flood, but we'll see a lot of falling trees and flying shingles! We'll be drinking 'till we're agile enough to dodge everything all Matrix-like.
posted by grimcity at 9:41 AM on May 18, 2006

It's Hurrcicanse season soon isn't it? How hot is the Gulf of mexico going to be this year?
posted by Artw at 9:54 AM on May 18, 2006

I've been passing around these animations (there are two others; continuous, without the commentary and flooding depths - both reachable from the end of the original animation) all week but it never occured to me to post them on the blue. Good choice ab3.
posted by djeo at 9:55 AM on May 18, 2006

Is this where someone gets to point out that building cities below sea level is perhaps not the greatest idea?
posted by mr_crash_davis at 10:14 AM on May 18, 2006

Artw - considering I was swimming in it a few days ago and it was close to bath water I'd say it's warming up real nice.
posted by photoslob at 10:27 AM on May 18, 2006

Is this where someone gets to point out that building cities below sea level is perhaps not the greatest idea?

You're welcome to. Of course, then people will point out the fact that homes are also built on fault lines, in tornado alley, in places where it floods from rain, and in places where they annual get buried in snow.

It's important to remember that the hurricane didn't flood the city, the poorly constructed MAN MADE levee walls did. This was not a natural disaster, it was caused by human error. And though that may seem like splitting hairs, it's the difference between solid arguments about what areas are fit for dwelling and glib comments about whether it's wise to live in areas susceptible to hurricanes.
posted by ColdChef at 10:42 AM on May 18, 2006

I can't open this page--is anyone else having problems?
posted by etaoin at 11:20 AM on May 18, 2006

Is this where someone gets to point out that building cities below sea level is perhaps not the greatest idea?

No, we've had that argument already.

Thanks for posting this ab3.
posted by turbodog at 12:17 PM on May 18, 2006

The gulf was warmer on May 5 than any previous May 5.
posted by notreally at 12:27 PM on May 18, 2006

"You're welcome to.

...

No, we've had that argument already."

OK, just checking.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 12:36 PM on May 18, 2006

I also cannot load the page. Just sits there, saying "transferring data from www.nola.com..." in the status bar.
posted by Dunwitty at 8:35 PM on May 18, 2006

great post, thanks.
NOLA.com triumphs again.
posted by Busithoth at 10:28 PM on May 18, 2006

I'm so glad I'm living in the city predicted to be next.
posted by po at 6:39 PM on May 20, 2006