Louisiana, Did the flood cause the damage to the homes or did the storm? – Questions for Humanity?

Answer 1

Both. Many people who are not native Louisianans are who do not live in flood threatened area do not understand the concept of flooding, but quite simply, a flood is almost always caused following a storm. Whether wind drives the waters inland, causing levees to breach or an extreme amount of rain falls in a short amount of time. Katrina caused both, along with extremely high winds. The land, levees and homes could not withstand all three factors at one time.

A lot of the places that flooded were not required to maintain flood insurance because they were above the required elevation, and homeowner's insurance does not cover flood damage. Also, a lot of flood policies will cover only structure, and not content. Many people failed to realize this until it was too late.

It is a horrible situation here in Louisiana, and after 2 years, I fear that city will never bounce back. What was seen on the news can not even begin to give you an idea of what and how we felt and what we saw every day. I rode around neighborhoods that were so beautiful and cried the entire time. The most impact was seeing the huge red x's on the homes, indicating either 1) no fatalities, or 2) dead were found.

Everyone who reads this and is subjected to hurricanes, floods, tornados, or other types of storm damages, please check your policies and make sure you are properly covered in case of a catastrophe. Having the funds to replace what you've lost decreases the stress of how you will replace your home and possessions and possibly added stress of losing a loved one... it's one less thing to worry about.

Answer 2

Both.
The storm caused wind damage to many homes. In the Ninth Ward (a county or borough of the city of New Orleans) some homes were completely leveled and others were carried clear off their foundations.

The water damage was also immense. Many homes had to be completely gutted because the water damage caused mold to grow in the homes. Before repairs could be made, all the water damaged material had to be stripped and sprayed with bleach.

It's a bad situation.

Answer 3

The storm caused the flood which caused damage to the homes. What is most important, is that insurance companies have refused, in some cases, to approve payment to the policy holders. Many people have not been able to return to their homes and cannot afford to repair or rebuild them. On top of that, crime has been rampant. Poor people!

Answer 4

Both...the problem is, many did not have flood insurance, thus the insurance companies are refusing to pay. Regular homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage. The insurance adjusters have to determine to what extent structural damage from the winds, wind driven rain and flood waters (other factors may also be included) were each caused.

Answer 5

The storm caused some damage, but most of it was caused by the flood which followed.

Answer 6

Both!