Judge rules Corp of Engineers Failure led to Katrina Flooding

The original city was at a high point well above sea level. That's why the french quarter and the garden district are relatively flood immune, even during Katrina.

Of course, even those areas have sunk several feet since the city was founded due to oil and gas drilling, and the general erosion of the entire Louisiana coast thanks to a brilliantly stupid flood control system. Interesting factoid: An area the size of Rhode Island is eroded away from Louisiana's coast every year.

 

When in doubt always blame the French.