Flood warning system for New Orleans debuts

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Photo credit City of New Orleans

Mayor LaToya Cantrell has announced a long awaited flood controll warning system for New Orleans.  

“Two years ago a perfect storm of infrastructure failures and torrential rains exposed stark flaws in our drainage system and our flood preparedness,” said Cantrell. “Since that time, we have worked relentlessly to address our critical needs, to invest in our infrastructure, and to make strategic, meaningful improvements."

A dozen weather weather reporting stations around the city will also report to emergency managers about flooding.  This will enable the city to designate where drainage issues are taking place and direct city assets, like pumps to be activated quicker to respond to rising water.  

The flood warning system was designed and installed by High Sierra Electronics, a company specializing in environmental monitoring systems.  At a cost of $650-thousand, the system will be run by which was procured and project managed by NOHSEP--New Orleans Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness.   

The most visable of symbols of the system are warning signs and flashing lights that have been outfitted at a dozen low-lying crossings prone to flooding.  The beacons will flash when the roadway is closed due to high water.  

  • Carrollton Avenue under I-10
  • City Park Avenue under I-10
  • Canal Boulevard under railroad bridge near Homedale Street
  • Downman Road under railroad bridge near Hayne Boulevard
  • Franklin Avenue under I-10
  • Gentilly Boulevard under I-610
  • Gentilly Boulevard under railroad bridge near Peoples Avenue
  • Marconi Drive under I-610
  • Broad Street under railroad bridge near Florida Avenue
  • Paris Avenue under railroad bridge near I-610
  • Press Drive under railroad bridge near Leon C. Simon Drive
  • Bernard Avenue under railroad bridge near Florida Avenue

Because these locations dip under bridges, they are prone to frequent and flash flooding during heavy rain as water from surrounding streets rushes to the lowest point. The drop in the roadway also makes it difficult for drivers to register the depth of the water when flooded. Consequently, these underpasses have been frequent sites of stalled vehicles and water rescues during storms.

These beacons and signs will replace NOPD's 'Operation Underpass' where temporary barricades are put up when rains start to fill these under crossings.  

Road closure data from the flood warning system will also eventually be displayed publicly on the City’s real-time road hazard website, streetwise.nola.gov.