Why the Levees Failed in New Orleans

Based on a chapter from Disasters By Design: How Engineering Failures Shaped the Modern World by Grady Hillhouse. US: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/786143/disasters-by-design-by-grady-hillhouse/ UK: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/476190/disasters-by-design-by-hillhouse-grady/9780241798508 More About the Book: https://practical.engineering/books

What happened in New Orleans in August 2005 wasn’t a natural disaster. A number of engineering errors made the hurricane far more deadly that it would have been otherwise. And I built a model to show you why.

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DISCLAIMER

This is not engineering advice. Everything here is for informational and entertainment purposes only. Contact an engineer licensed to practice in your area if you need professional advice or services. All non-licensed clips used for fair use commentary, criticism, and educational purposes.

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Stock video and imagery provided by Getty Images, Shutterstock, Pond5, and Videoblocks. Video by Grady Hillhouse Edited by Wesley Crump Produced by Ralph Crewe Graphics by Nebula Studios

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Aural Imprints from Epidemic Sound Rhubarb from Epidemic Sound Woodland Expedition composed by Caleb Winters (https://beacons.ai/calebwinters) Magnified XY from Epidemic Sound All Parts Equal from Epidemic Sound