New Orleans is in a ‘good place’ before storm Francine, Sewerage & Water Board chief says

By Kaylee Poche

Source: Gambit

September 10, 2024

New Orleans Sewerage & Water Board Director Ghassan Korban said Tuesday the city’s pumping and drainage system is in a “good place” ahead of Francine.

Ninety of 99 drainage pumps are working across its 24 pumping stations, he said, and the city has 70 megawatts available to power its drainage pumps, above the 44 needed to run the system at peak demand.

Korban said 70 megawatts “is probably one of the highest numbers we’ve seen in a long, long time … Today, this is the best that we can all really count on.”

Korban’s comments came as he gave a presentation at a Tuesday morning breakfast hosted by nonprofit Bureau of Governmental Research. The storm is expected to become a Category 2 hurricane before it makes landfall in Louisiana on Wednesday.

Some of the pumping stations rely on power from Entergy New Orleans. Korban said the backup generators at the individual stations were ready in case they lose power.

During Category 4 Hurricane Ida in 2021, S&WB lost all power from Entergy and had to rely on backup generators as well as self-generated power sources, like Turbines 4, 5 and 6.

“All in all, we’re ready, we’re set,” Korban said. “This is a fairly routine process for us, and we are in good standing.”

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