Hurricane Georges Brings Devastation to Gulf Coast

Strategic Insights -

The Gulf Coast was pummeled by Hurricane Georges over the weekend, with high winds and heavy rain causing widespread damage and flooding in Mississippi and Alabama. The city of New Orleans held its breath as the storm's course wobbled slightly, giving hope that the city might avoid the worst of the devastation. However, authorities feared that the massive storm could sit overhead for days, driving Lake Pontchartrain over its levees and submerging the city.

Key Takeaways:

  • Hurricane Georges brought high winds and heavy rain to Mississippi and Alabama, causing widespread damage and flooding.
  • The storm's center was about 70 miles south-southeast of Biloxi, Miss., and about 105 miles east-southeast of New Orleans, with winds blowing at about 105 mph.
  • Forecasters said the hurricane's center was expected to reach the Gulf Coast on Monday afternoon, but could still easily hit southeast Louisiana or southwest Alabama.
  • Authorities in New Orleans feared that the storm could sit overhead for days, driving Lake Pontchartrain over its levees and submerging the city.
  • The city opened the largest hurricane shelter of all time, the Superdome, which could accommodate nearly 10,000 people.
  • The storm's storm surge reached the mouth of the Mississippi River and pushed water upriver, toward New Orleans.
  • More than 1.5 million people in and near New Orleans were ordered or advised to leave, but many did not.

Statistics:

  • 105 mph: Winds blew at about 105 mph.
  • 36 feet: Waves reached 36 feet on the Louisiana coast.
  • 130 miles: New Orleans relies on 130 miles of levees for protection from surrounding lakes, rivers, and bays.
  • 1.5 million: More than 1.5 million people in and near New Orleans were ordered or advised to leave.
  • 10,000: Nearly 10,000 people were directed to higher decks at the Superdome.
  • 65 mph: Wind gusts in Mobile and Baldwin counties, Alabama.

Sources:

  • The Miami Herald
  • The Associated Press
  • National Hurricane Center
  • Department of Civil Defense in Hancock County, Mississippi
  • City of New Orleans