Ep 5. Hurricane City - New Orleans

Strip the City is a documentary series that investigates the geology and engineering behind some of the world's most iconic metropolitan areas. In Season 2, the show is back with another exciting episode where the team explores the impact of hurricanes on the city of New Orleans, Louisiana.

In episode 5 of season 2, entitled Hurricane City - New Orleans, the show presents an in-depth examination of the factors that have made the city of New Orleans one of the most vulnerable cities to hurricanes in the world. The episode starts by showing us how the natural conditions of New Orleans' geographical location predispose it to the risk of hurricanes.

As the episode progresses, we learn how the construction of the city, with its unique topography surrounded by seawater, has made it particularly vulnerable to extreme weather events. The team of experts delves into the engineering behind New Orleans' levee system, which is designed to protect the city from flooding, but has historically been prone to failure during major hurricanes.

Through computer-generated graphics, we get an inside look at how the levee system works and how it has been strengthened and improved over the years following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. We see the inner workings of the levees and how they are designed to withstand the immense pressure of high winds and water volume.

We also learn about the crucial role played by the Two Mississippi River Gulf Outlet (MRGO) in safeguarding the city from hurricanes. This artificial channel, constructed in the 1960s to allow shipping traffic to bypass New Orleans' busy ports, served as a funnel to channel storm surge straight into the city during Hurricane Katrina.

As we follow the team, we learn how the lessons from past disasters continue to shape New Orleans' approach to hurricane preparedness today. From improving flood defences to developing evacuation plans, the city is vigilant and constantly adapting to the many challenges posed by hurricanes.

The episode also highlights how climate change is causing sea levels to rise and making hurricanes more powerful and frequent. These factors are putting greater pressure on New Orleans, but also making it an essential testing ground for new technologies and engineering solutions that could benefit other vulnerable regions around the world.

Overall, Hurricane City - New Orleans is a compelling and informative look at the challenges faced by one of America's most iconic cities, and the efforts being made to protect it from the impact of hurricanes. Through combining stunning visuals with expert insights, the episode offers a fascinating and insightful view into the geology, engineering and history of one of the world's most unique and complex cities.