32 pictures, 3 videos show what happens when it rains in the New Orleans area

Article excerpt

A slow-moving storm dumped more than four inches of rain on parts of the New Orleans area and left low-lying streets flooded Saturday afternoon (July 22). And there's more to come, with storms forecast heading into Sunday and next week.

In New Orleans, the Sewerage and Water Board said some areas logged more than 4 1/2 inches of rain in less than an hour. About 2 2/3 inches of rain was recorded at the Mercedes-Benz Superdomeheliport over a three-hour period starting at about 1 p.m. In Old Metairie, almost 3 1/2 inches of rain fell, according to Jefferson Parish officials.

The sustained burst of rain was more than New Orleans drainage system is designed to handle. The city's pumps can move 1 inch of rain in the first hour but only 1/2 inch per hour thereafter.

Many streets flooded, particularly in Mid-City. City Hall's Nola Ready emergency preparedness service listed the intersections of Tulane and South Carrollton avenues, Orleans Avenue and North Broad Street, Paris Avenue and Burbank Drive and Esplanade and North Carrollton avenues.

The S&WB reported flooding at underpasses on Canal Boulevard, St. Bernard Avenue, Marconi Drive and Broad Street. On Jefferson Davis Parkway and Canal Street, people could be seeing canoeing up flooded roads.