A storm event occurred in Richmond VA that compels me to post this:

[NoSheep]

Richmond has the James river ( big raging river) that floods every so many whatever yrs.
So they built a flood wall to prevent flooding of the low lying areas by the river. The land rises sharply up from the river and recently they had a tremendous amount of rain. Unprecedented amounts in a matter of hrs. The flood wall gates were closed and what happened? The low town flooded like hell in the worst and most unpredictable way in hundreds of years. All the run off from the high areas collected in the down town and the gates were closed and the water had no where to drain. They needed the gates OPEN to let the water into the river that hit the area. WIND was NOT a factor as in a hurricane. But I think they should consider opening flood walls to let the water OUT. What do you natives think of this?

[ThoughtCriminal]

1. In NO LA I don't think there is a lower area to drain into

At least, not until the city "Fills Up".
:yoiks:

[NoSheep]

2. That is exactly my point. The city will certainly fill up if the flood

walls are closed. And the water will have NO way to go out. Yes. I know NOLA is below sea level. But would it be ... hell...I don't know. I'm just worried and trying to think of things I have experienced about heavy flooding. Your input is greatly appreciated.

[ThoughtCriminal]

5. The surrounding water will be higher

Most of the flood water is going to come from storm surge rather than rainfall. Until the and uless the water in the city is higher than the surrounding terrain opening the gates would let water in.

That's my non-professional and out of area knowledge of the situation. The locals can probably confirm whether it could work or not.

[NoSheep]

8. I get your point about the gates letting water in - in this case.

Damn I'm worried about that place. The only good will come from the folks working together to repair their lives.

[Hissyspit]

3. I have never fogotten that. I've been in downtown Richmond...

and was shocked by the scenes, people drowning in a downtown metropolitan area in the middle of a regular workday. It was horrorific. You may be on to something.

[NoSheep]

6. It was really dramatic an unexpected. A simple problem to solve but not

anticipated. I realize this is a very different situation. But if the winds and water are going to wipe out the lowest lands anyway, why not allow an escape for the water so the bowl doesn't grow higher. Think upper overflow drains in your sink and tub

[frankly_fedup2]

4. I don't really know how they do it in New Orleans because they

This post came out all wrong. I truly did not mean that it would be the end-o-times. I know it sounds that way; however, I never meant it that way and I do apologize. I had a line about if those in NO see animals lining up in pairs, then it was definitely time to leave. I accidentally deleted that out.

Trying for a little humor in a bad situation (sorry). Guess a little humor is too much here tonight with this scary killer still on its way. It's almost like the tsunami; however, luckily we have been able to warn those there. The tsunami victims and people could have been warned as well by our Navy. They picked it up; however, I remember reading that those in charge did not know who to notify.

Now they are talking that the winds are 175 mph and the surge will be 28 feet. I'm watching MSNBC. They said it would hit full force around 6 a.m. I hope everyone gets out. Homes and businesses can be rebuilt; however, lives cannot be replaced. It's unbelievable the amount of people that are still there and having to go to shelters, etc. No more high hotel rooms available. They should let people sleep in the hallways if they need to.


updated above




are surrounded by water and there is no where for the water to go but into New Orleans and sit and rise. I saw on the news were they built a 17-foot-high levi; however, category 5 hurricane???

They were talking about how people are talking about this in alarmist tones. I have read some of the posts online of the different news agencies, and they state there will be flooding "Like Biblical proportions." Wasn't that the end and were we not promised it would never end by water again? Guess it depends on one's beliefs.

[NoSheep]

7. Sounds like a 17 foot deep lake to me. That's my point. The water has to

be able to get back out.

[NoSheep]

9. There are far too many good souls in NO for me to think this is any kind

of end to anything except New Orleans. If the "end" comes, I predict it will start at the "WHITE" House.