While the oil spill is threatening the coast of Louisiana, New Orleans is still recovering from Hurricane Katrina five years ago. The progress made during the last year to provide New Orleans a better protection is impressive and really needed before the start of the 2010 hurricane season. An example is the great surge barrier on the east side (IHNC Barrier) within one year after driving the first pile in the ground, 90% of the barrier with a length of over 2 kilometers is now standing. The West Closure Complex which is another key component of the protection system is in full construction during this hurricane season. Seabrook closure will have to wait until after this years hurricane system.
All over it can be concluded that five years after Katrina there is a tremendous amount of work completed and New Orleans and its people have better flood protection than ever before.