New Orleans Map Acquisitions in the GRMC

New Materials in the GRMC for Hurricane Katrina Research

August marks the two-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. The hurricane formed on August 23, 2005, and devastated the Gulf Coast and New Orleans by August 29. Hurricane Katrina was the costliest and one of the deadliest hurricanes ever in recorded history.

The Geospatial Resources & Map Collection has added two maps related to Hurricane Katrina to the Collection. The U.S. Geological Survey created a map showing the water depth of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. The map was produced using remote sensing data. According to the map vendor Terra Prints, “Because an accurate delineation of the flooded area was not yet available, the flood water level within the city was derived from a lake level gage on Lake Pontchartrain, with the assumption that the level of the lake and the floodwaters had equalized by Friday, September 2, 2005.”

The second map is a satellite wall map of New Orleans, Louisiana (shown above). This map of New Orleans was acquired via satellite in 2000 prior to the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Lake Pontchartrain borders the city to the north, and the Mississippi River winds its way through the image.

Both of the maps will be available for checkout in the GRMC. Be sure to check the map exhibit of Historic Hurricanes displayed in the front window of the GRMC on the second floor of Bracken Library.