Demolition

Estimated total demolition debris following Katrina and Rita = 16 million cubic yards.

Louisiana: 

• Estimated 13.6 million cubic yards to be removed.

• Estimated total demolition debris in Orleans Parish = 12.5 million cubic yards (25,000 structures)

• 250 of the estimated 27,000 structures identified for demolition in Louisiana have been demolished, to date.

• LA Recovery Field Office has started debris removal of the first 123 structures in New Orleans’ 9th Ward and Lakeview areas. These are buildings that were demolished by the storm.

• Because there may still be human remains in some of the destroyed homes, canine search teams are searching the debris before it is removed.

• Demolition teams are using excavators to remove the homes in layers instead of “bulldozing” them to prevent any human remains from being lost. 

Mississippi: 

• Estimated 2.4 million cubic yards to be removed

• 1,825 of the estimated 5,400 structures identified for demolition in Mississippi have been demolished, to date.

Strict environmental, real estate and legal guidelines are being enforced by the Corps during the demolition disposal process.