With a rising sea level and a sinking levee system, the concern remains whether the levees can be overtopped. The short answer is yes, they can be overtopped. ... The Flood Protection Authority operates and maintains 192 miles of levees, floodwalls, floodgates and pumping stations.

Why are New Orleans levees almost outdated?

And the Army Corps of Engineers recently predicted that our levee system may soon be obsolete. The corps announced in April that, because of global sea level rise and because Louisiana is sinking, “risk to life and property in the greater New Orleans area will progressively increase” without substantial improvements.

What happens if the levees break?

After a levee breach a kolk lake can often be seen. This is a crater-like depression just behind the breach where soil and other material has been violently scoured out by the rushing water. After a breach, a kolk lake can sometimes remain after the water level recedes.