New Orleans

New Orleans is a city that is 60% below sea level and it is surrounded by water with Lake Pontchartrain on the north, Lake Borgne on the east, the Mississippi River on the west and the Gulf of Mexico on the south. They have pumps capable of removing water at the rate of one-half inch per hour so if the rain comes down faster which is often the case the city will flood. Also pumps are often put out of commission by rising flood waters do to improper engineering. For many years the federal government sent money to build up the levees but much of the money was spent on various benefit programs which helped reelect local politicians. This all came to light when Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005. In the aftermath four city officials were asked to resign but not much else happened. Since that time more money was sent to secure the city and this current storm will test that out.