47.5 MB - The Whole Building Design Guide

approximately 4.5 feet above BFE (see Figure 4-33). During HurricaneKatrina, floodwaters rose to about an inch below the levelof the lowest floor. The building was not evacuated prior to thestorm, because it was believed that flooding would not exceed themaximum levels recorded during Hurricane Camille. As floodwatersstarted to rise, the decision was made to evacuate most of theoccupants to another building across the street. Despite this action,the EOC operations were not hampered significantly.The Pass Christian police and west side fire station were less fortunate,as the storm surge flooding at these sites far exceeded thebase flood elevation. It was estimated that the storm surge wavethat hit the police building was at least 15 to 20 feet high, whichrendered the building and the equipment stored inside totally unusable.The facility is currently looking at an alternative site onhigher ground as a possible site for relocation and construction ofa new station.The headquarters of the New Orleans Police Department hadapproximately 2- to 3-foot deep water on the first floor, and a completelyflooded basement (see Figure 4-34). The surroundingareas were also under water, isolating the facility and preventingits normal operation. All operations had to be transferred to otherpolice facilities in the city.Figure 4-32:Police station in PassChristianOBSERVATIONS ON THE PERFORMANCE OF CRITICAL FACILITIES4-49