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CBS America

New Orleans' flood barriers are sinking, study finds

CBS America · Older
CBS America
CBS America
Older

It's been nearly 20 years since Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, killing more than 1,000 people and displacing about one million more. Now there's a troubling report on the vulnerability of the city's flood defense system.

BreakdownGenerated by LeadStory AI
  • A Tulane University study found some New Orleans flood barriers are sinking nearly two inches per year. 22s
  • Researchers used satellite data from 2002 to 2020 to track ground elevation changes. 44s
  • Rapid sinking was observed in certain wetlands, neighborhoods, and near the airport. 51s
  • Rising sea levels and sinking ground increase the risk of storm surges and flooding. 1m 11s
  • The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is planning to upgrade levees to extend their lifespan. 1m 40s
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