Plaquemines Parish-What Happened

High winds, rain, and storm-surge flooding generated by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita caused extensive damage throughout Plaquemines Parish. The extent and cost of this damage is still being estimated, even as the community begins to rebuild.

On Aug. 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina struck on the west bank of Plaquemines Parish, with initial landfall in Buras. The 20-foot storm surge approached the southern coastline and gradually covered the entire parish as it moved northward. Katrina carried hurricane force winds in excess of 140 mph. While approximately 98 percent of parish residents evacuated, three people have been confirmed dead.

Plaquemines was further damaged by Hurricane Rita, which made landfall as a Category 3 hurricane between Sabine Pass, Texas, and Johnson’s Bayou, La., on Sept. 24, 2005. Hurricane Rita traveled a northwesterly track west of Plaquemines Parish, causing tropical storm winds in excess of 40 to 50 mph. Hurricane Rita’s three-foot storm surge inflicted further damage to the already-weakened levee system and caused further flooding.

Source: Louisiana Geographic Information Center (LAGIC), 2005 Louisiana Hurricane Impact Atlas, Hurricane Quick Facts