As I was listening to the radio about Hurricane Ivan approaching Louisiana, they said that New Orleans is only 1 of 2 places (the other place is Death Valley) in the US that is below sea level. I never knew that and I thought that was interesting. But, as I researched that fact, there is also another place in Texas that is below sea level, Stell-Lind Banco No 128. But, New Orleans is the only city in the US that is below sea level.
It’s been 40 years since a major hurricane has hit New Orleans. And so, statistically, it’s time for another one to hit. And it seems like Ivan might be the one. They have ordered the evacuation of New Orleans.
New Orleans is basically built on top of marshland. And they had to build canals and pumps in order to have dry land. The lowest point in the city is 8 feet below sea level. The highest point is 35 feet above sea level.
Links:
America’s Basement
Fact Monster
Wikipedia
Geography of New Orleans
New Orleans Residents Clear Out as Ivan Nears
Situation ‘very, very bad’ in western Cuba as Ivan hits