Down the Drain is a WWL-TV investigative project that explores what went wrong and where the blame lies for New Orleans' drainage crisis. Down the Drain was reported and produced by WWL-TV's investigative team: Katie Moore, David Hammer, Mike Perlstein, TJ Pipitone and Danny Monteverde with online content by Sam Winstrom and Kevin Dupuy.
The Investigation Continues
The flash of lightning and the rumble of thunder was enough to take notice, but not to cause concern.
At least when it began.
Read the latest coverageTimeline of Events
Heavy rains filled parts of New Orleans on August 5. Mistakes were made that day but problems had existed for a long time.
Read storyCaught in the Storm
For the second time in two weeks, parts of the city flooded. This time, residents had enough.
Read storyThe Untapped Cash
As the drainage system sat in disrepair, tens of millions in federal funds were unused in city accounts.
Read storyListen to the 911 Calls
Frantic calls from across the city flood the 911 center as water continued to rise.
Read storyVideos From the Flood
WWL-TV crews and Eyewitness News viewers captured scenes of flooded streets and homes.
Read storyFrom Ideal to Inept in 100 years
Once state-of-the art, New Orleans’ aging drainage system is now crumbling with very few upgrades in decades.
Read storyRepaired doesn’t mean fixed
Even when the pumps work properly, the water still has to get there. Often, that is a problem.
Read storyThe Power Problem
"You have the oldest power generation plant in America ... There is no one that's older. It's tired, it's old."
Read storyAn Inch the First Hour?
It has become an old adage, ‘The pumps can handle an inch of rain the first hour, half an inch every hour after that.
Read storyCedric Grant: Divided Focus
A deep dive into Cedric Grant's calendar reveals a man torn between two jobs.
Read storyWorkforce Poorly Equipped
"This system has been in perpetual emergency for quite some time now. It operates on an emergency basis almost daily,"
Read storyMillions more than 'reasonable'
Records show $20 million in fees are going to an out-of-state consultant to manage a power plant construction project that's been -- by most regards -- a failure.
Read storyCleaning the Mess
At the time of the August 5 flood, just two of the city’s vacuum trucks were operational.
Read storyWhat’s Next?
What can New Orleans do to fix these problems for a better drainage and pumping system.
Read storyJoin the ‘Down the Drain’ Facebook Group
Problems with flooding? An unusually high water bill? The official "Down the Drain" Facebook group is the place to go.
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