Unveiling of Levees.org's Historic Plaque at 17th Street Canal Breach Site

Filmed and edited by Hubie Vigreux. Original music composed and performed by Mike Hood. On August 23, 2010, Levees.org unveiled its first ever Louisiana State Historic Plaque at ground zero of the 17th Street Canal levee/floodwall breach site. The moving ceremony was attended by Scott Hutcheson (representing Mitch Landrieu Mayor of New Orleans), City Council President Arnie Fielkow and Vice President Jackie Clarkson, Councilwoman Susan Guidry, LA representative Nick Lorusso, and director of The Big Easy, Harry Shearer. The crowd was thrilled when three majestic Brown Pelicans landed on the floodwall during the event.

The text of the plaque reads: On August 29, 2005, a federal floodwall atop a levee on the 17th Street Canal, the largest and most important drainage canal for the city, gave way here causing flooding that killed hundreds.  This breach was one of 50 ruptures in the Federal Flood Protection System that occurred that day. In 2008, the US District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana placed responsibility for this floodwall's collapse squarely on the US Army Corps of Engineers; however, the agency is protected from financial liability in the Flood Control Act of 1928.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• 17th Street Canal
• Harry Shearer
• Mitch Landrieu
• brown pelicans
• Arnie Fielkow
• Jackie Clarkson
• Flood Control Act of 1928
• Army Corps of Engineers

[LeveesOrg]

Sharing this video with your family and friends is grassroots work in its purest form.

[LeveesOrg]

We have included the Text of the Plaque in the Description. See above.

[didigogoneworleans]

Beautiful tribute to the families who lost homes, loved ones, and memories during Katrina because of the Levee breaks at this location. God Bless New Orleans, the place I call HOME.

[atlanteans2002]

Thank you, Levvees.org, for all you do to insure the protection of the many areas throughout America under the control of the Army Corps of Engineers.

[kcNOlady]

Just watched the levees.org plaque dedication video. I still get chills when I think about what happened to my birth City. Let's all remember that it is our right and privilege in this country to stand up and speak out and tell our truth -- for ourselves, for our City, for sisters and brothers who are still hurting from the Katrina devastation.

[sgboone]

Having lived in that area once, I can't help but ask, "why wasn't the levess repaired after Betsy"? I was living on Law and Annette Sts. in 1965, when this tragedy happened. I don't understand a government that KNOWS the truth, but passed the buck on the citizens. How DARE President Bush and VP Cheney, two people bent on ruining the government and any perception that a Black Mayor

was incapable of handling the worst MAN-made disaster in the history of the US!

[cpnocpno]

Never forget. I lost my home in Lakeview. Five years later, I realize the real loss qwas that of my community, its culture and cuisine.

[whodafokcares]

New Orleans and its surrounding areas, St Bernard and Plaquemines have come back with a resiliency and determination that no one, except us, would have believed. Part of the recovery is telling the REAL TRUTH about the failure of the levees . Thanks to levees.org, Sandy and thousands of volunteers this story is retold every day. Thanks Levees.org , Sandy and everyone who has assisted in the rebuilding of this area.

[jtcouret]

Such an important message! Thank you Levees.org for your tireless committment!

[mawmawdebi1]

Thank you so much for this video. We need to keep reminding people that The Corps of Engineers are to blame for this part of the destruction of property & lives not mother nature! It is time that they are held accountable for their "mistakes". New Orleans is NOT the only place they do such shabby work. It could be your friends, family & property next!

[nemastef]

I agree with Fleudelee721...I live in northern California where we have miles and miles of levees in the Delta area. We are not safe here, thanks to the Corps. Once again, our federal government has failed us. Not only failed us, they have robbed us and then failed us!