5 Years Later: Hurricane Katrina
From USA TODAY
In the five years since Hurricane Katrina (quickly followed by Hurricane Rita) ravaged the Gulf Coast, USA TODAY has written extensively about the rebuilding efforts there. A new multimedia project tries to sum up where we stand, half a decade after the storms hit.
Included in this project is a look at the levee system failure and redesign. The Army Corps of Engineers has spent $14 billion improving the system of pumps, barriers, gates and levees designed to protect New Orleans from future hurricane disasters. Nearly three-quarters complete, it is intended to hold back a 100-year storm surge, which is to say a surge that has a 1% chance of happening each year. Learn what improvements have been made and why some say it’s still not enough.
Note: Use the interactive map to see photos, graphics, 360° views, videos and animations on the levee system failure and redesign.
5 Years Later: Hurricane Katrina – Rebuilding New Levees