Year-round preparation readies Flood Protection Authority

NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — As we approach the height of hurricane season, one local agency says it is ready to protect us.

If levee maintenance employees are dealing with flood gates, that usually means a storm is headed our way. Fortunately for us, this is just an exercise from the agency charged with keeping the city dry.

“Essentially what we do is what I like to say, protect people, property and prosperity of the citizens of East Jefferson, Orleans and St. Bernard parishes during a hurricane or storm,” said Interim Director of Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority L. Jeff Williams.

The Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority East is a complex network of elements designed to keep the region safe.

“We have 246 what we call land-based gates. We also have eight complex structures. Those are the marine gates, the gates that are over navigable waterways and then we have three of PCCP stations that’s Permanent Canal Closure and Pump Stations,” said Darren Austin.

It’s a heavy task that the team of over 230 employees take on. That includes the year-round maintenance of those structures but also our lakefront and river levees, which in turn means controlling vegetation and the constant inspection of the levees.

“It takes skill but we’ve got the guys here to help train new employees. Everybody can’t drive a tractor on side of a levee, it takes skill and patience,” said Levee Foreman Ryan Thompson.

The law enforcement arm of the authority is the Orleans Levee District Police Force that operates as escorts for the field crew but also to keep residents safe when the time comes.

“We also, during the storm, monitor Lakeshore Drive. As the water comes up and wave action increases, we try to keep pedestrians back because they don’t often realize how powerful that water is and can pull them in that lake really quickly,” said Lt. Albert Pellitteri.

With that levee gate, the over 200 structures don’t open and close themselves. They are operated by long-time professionals and residents who know the importance if keeping the region dry.

“I was a rebuilder also; I had to rebuild after Katrina. These guys are going to go far and beyond for the citizens of Louisiana, and you can take that to the bank,” said Carl Allen.

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