The canal runs from Lake Ponchatrain, through the city, and connects to the river on the other side. It has levees on both sides. From a map of the flooding, there have to be more breaches. The area east of the canal would not flood if only the west side levee failed. They got their flooding a day later than the original doomsday scenario, and at a somewhat lesser level, but they got it.
I am at a loss for how they can, or even if we should, rebuild New Orleans. No matter what can be devised, it is still a bowl with sides a bit above what can be very turbulent water.
People walking around in a daze..waiting to be rescued.
We don't know the extent of the destruction and loss of lives.
You can see a sheen of fuel surrounding cars submerged in water.. New Orleans is all but a ghost town for all intents and purposes. I am stunned.