Engineers fix breaches, pump New Orleans floodwaters
September 12, 2005
WASHINGTON (Army News Service, Sept. 12, 2005) – The fourth of four critical breaches in the 17th Street Canal and London Avenue Canal system was closed Sept. 10 and Army Corps of Engineers officials have shortened their estimate on how long it will take to pump floodwaters out of New Orleans.
More than 1,600 Army Corps of Engineers employees are now engaged in Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts, officials said. With more than $2.9 billion in missions, the Corps is working with its government and contracting partners to meet the most urgent needs in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, officials said. They said this includes providing ice and water, temporary roofing, temporary housing, power assessment, and debris removal.
Breach repair, then pumping
Working with the city of New Orleans and private contractors, the Army Corps of Engineers continues to make steady progress on pumping out floodwaters from the city of New Orleans and immediate vicinity.
Through a system of existing and temporary pumps. floodwaters are being pumped into Lake Ponchartrain. The number of pumps that are operational at any given time is continually changing. As an average, this system is pumping water at about one million gallons per day, which is equalvant to approximately 432 Olympic-size swimming pools per day.
Original estimates for completing the un-watering of the city have recently been revised, officials said. They cited several factors, such as no significant rainfall, strong easterly winds that have allowed the Lake Ponchartrain levels to recede lower than expected, the deliberate un-watering breaches or ‘notches’ that have allowed flooded areas to drain faster and thus have improved the ability to acquire more pump capacity.
Corps officials now estimate the overall un-watering effort will be completed in early to mid-October. A breakdown by parish is provided:
- Orleans Parish: Week of Oct. 2
- Orleans East: Week of Oct. 8
- Chalmette: Week of Oct. 8
- Plaquemines Parish: Week of Oct. 18
The estimates are based on normal seasonal rainfall, officials said.
The un-watering effort will remove most, but not all the water, Corps officials said. There will be some isolated pockets of water that will remain. However, they added that these pockets should not hamper recovery efforts such as debris removal, structural assessments and restoration of critical services.
Water and ice
In Mississippi, more than 18,000 tons of ice and 8 million liters of water have been delivered to staging areas. In Louisiana, more than 15,000 tons of ice and 15 million
liters of water have been delivered. In Alabama, more than 6,000 tons of ice and 5 million liters of drinking water has been delivered.
Debris removal
More than 270,000 cubic yards of debris has been removed thus far from areas affected by Hurricane Katrina, officials said, adding that these numbers continue to increase daily.
Operation Blue Roof
In Mississippi and Louisiana “Operation Blue Roof” is underway in several counties. The Operation Blue Roof program provides temporary plastic sheeting for roofs that were damaged during Hurricane Katrina. More than 3,000 requests for assistance have been received thus far. The program is underway and plastic sheeting is being placed on damaged roofs in the affected areas. It is estimated more than 40,000 homes will need plastic sheeting.
Power Assessments
In Mississippi, almost 200 power assessments have been completed, and 35 sites have power restored. Power assessment teams continue to work in New Orleans with 223 of 256 assessments completed.
Temporary Housing
Housing needs continue to be identified daily. As of today, eight units have been leased, 80 units are ready for occupants, and 130 units have been identified.
Other missions
In support of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Corps of Engineers will be assessing and repairing public facilities (schools, libraries, fire stations, etc.) for the state of Louisiana. This mission is estimated at $200 million dollars, officials said.
The priority of the Corps is to support efforts to save lives and find people, sustain lives, and set conditions for recovery, Corps officials said.
(Editor’s note: Information provided by an Army Corps of Engineers news release.)
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