Hurricane Katrina, which struck in August 2005, caused catastrophic flooding in New Orleans. The most severely affected areas were:
- Lower Ninth Ward: This area experienced some of the most devastating flooding due to levee failures. The water reached depths of up to 20 feet in some places.
- Lakeview: Located near the 17th Street Canal, Lakeview was heavily flooded when the canal’s levee breached. Water levels reached up to 10 feet in many areas.
- Gentilly: This neighborhood also suffered significant flooding due to breaches in the London Avenue Canal. Water levels were reported to be around 8 feet deep.
- New Orleans East: This area was inundated with water from the Industrial Canal and other sources, leading to widespread flooding.
- Mid-City: Mid-City experienced flooding due to breaches in the London Avenue Canal and the 17th Street Canal. Water levels varied but were generally around 6 feet deep.
- St. Bernard Parish: Although not part of New Orleans proper, St. Bernard Parish was also severely affected, with nearly every home in the area flooded.
The flooding was primarily caused by the failure of the levee system, which was designed to protect the city from such disasters. The aftermath of Katrina led to significant changes in flood protection and disaster response strategies in New Orleans.