New Orleans is sinking by up to 2 inches annually due to compressing clay soil under buildings. Tropical weather system Invest 93L is bringing increased rainfall and flash flood risks, stressing outdated drainage systems designed for past rainfall patterns. The National Weather Service is monitoring increased moisture moving north, impacting 30 million across 11 states. Flash flood reports have surged to 70 percent above the 10-year historical average. Although the storm's worst weather stayed offshore, local rainfall predictions were lowered significantly.
New Orleans is sinking by up to 2 inches a year as its marshy clay soil compresses under the weight of buildings. This ongoing subsidence is compounded now by a surge of tropical moisture brought by tropical weather system Invest 93L, increasing the risk of flash floods and putting additional strain on the city's drainage systems.
Much of the infrastructure and drainage systems were designed for rainfall patterns typical of 50 to 100 years ago. It is not for the intense and extreme rainfall events we are experiencing right now.
The number of flash flood reports this year to date has been a staggering 70 percent above the 10-year historical average. This has been a tremendously impactful and dangerous year.
Radar showed the storm's core largely remaining south of New Orleans, with only light showers reaching the city. The NWS lowered its rainfall forecast to a range of just 1.5 to 2 inches through Saturday.
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