Friday, May 27, 2011

100-year storm risk reduction elevation map released for Louisiana

Bayoubuzz: Is South Louisiana safe in the event there is a hurricane such as Katrina? The Corps of Engineers has released an updated Status Map of the Hurricane and Storm Damage Risk Reduction System (HSDRRS). The color-keyed map illustrates the established 100-year risk reduction elevations for individual areas throughout the system.

…By June 1, 2011, 89% of the System perimeter construction will defend against a storm with a 1% chance of occurring in any given year. The remaining 11% of the System perimeter includes the HSDRRS levees co-located with the Mississippi River levees on the west bank, where construction is suspended until high river stages recede.

86% of the System perimeter is constructed to 100-year design criteria. 2% of the System perimeter is constructed using temporary engineered interim structures which meet the 100-year criteria and are temporary in nature, to be replaced by permanent features. 1% of the System perimeter has engineered construction closures on-site to be used, should a hurricane threaten the area, to close discrete access points that are under construction, such as railroad/highway crossings.

…The Corps has strengthened and improved 133 miles of levees, floodwalls, gated structures and pump stations, forming the new Greater New Orleans perimeter system. Funded at almost $15 billion, the HSDRRS is the Corps’ largest civil works program ever, and the Corps’ number one domestic priority.

Hurricane Katrina makes landfall in August 2005

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