Disturbing truth behind levitating manholes in Louisiana fuel fears of impending catastrophe

Daily Mail​

24-05-2025

A video showing manhole covers lifting off the ground during heavy rains have sparked fears of an impending storm.
The clip, which has gone viral, claims water has been rushing beneath New Orleans streets, pushing manhole covers several inches into the air across multiple neighborhoods.
It has sparked fears among Louisiana locals, as the scene is reminiscent of Hurricane Katrina, when manhole covers reportedly floated due to catastrophic flooding that killed nearly 1,400 people and destroyed around 300,000 homes.
The video has been viewed more than six millions times on X, with some users questioning its authenticity and other claiming levitating manholes predict incoming storms.
However, manhole covers can be displaced during heavy rainfall due to hydraulic pressure buildup in the sewer or drainage system.
The city has been inundated with rain over the past week, receiving more than two inches in one night.
Manhole covers, though heavy, are typically not bolted down and can be lifted by the force of rising water.
Much of New Orleans sits below sea level, making its drainage system heavily reliant on pumps to remove rainwater.
When those pumps can't keep up, water backs up, causing street flooding and, in severe cases, forcing manhole covers to pop off.
In New Orleans, where folklore and spiritual traditions run deep, some residents see the manhole covers as more than just mechanical failures.
'In our culture, we believe nature gives us signs,' said Marie Johnson, a longtime resident, in an interview with the online magazine HypeFresh.
'These videos remind me of stories my grandparents used to tell.'
However, levitating manholes are not rare in New Orleans.
'I live in New Orleans and work downtown - they do this with every heavy rain,' one user posted on X.
Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans on August 29, 2005, causing $125billion in damages.
More than 50 breaches in the city's levee system led to flooding that submerged 80 per cent of the city.
The city's Sewerage and Water Board operates a complex system designed to manage heavy rainfall. However, as climate change brings more frequent and intense storms, the infrastructure faces mounting pressure.
In response to past failures, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers invested $14.5billion to upgrade the city's flood protection system, which is designed to withstand a so-called 100-year flood event.
Yet concerns remain about its long-term resilience, especially as weather patterns become more extreme and unpredictable.
Recent studies show parts of New Orleans are sinking at a rate of 6 to 8 millimeters per year, further increasing flood risk. This land subsidence, combined with sea-level rise, threatens to erode the city's defenses over time.
Officials have increased preparedness efforts. With no current hurricane threats, the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans (SWBNO) is taking proactive measures to prepare for heavy rain.
Crews have begun lowering canal levels citywide to increase stormwater storage. Drainage teams are closely monitoring capacity and working to reduce the risk of flooding.
Currently, 88 of the city's 93 drainage pumps are operational. The system can manage about one inch of rain in the first hour and half an inch each hour thereafter. If rainfall exceeds those rates, officials warn that temporary street flooding is likely.
NOAA's 2025 Atlantic hurricane season outlook predicts a 60 per cent chance of an above-normal season, with 13 to 19 named storms expected, including six to 10 hurricanes and three to five major hurricanes.
The agency, which holds 70 per cent confidence in these projections, credits advanced forecasting models and tracking systems for improved preparedness.
'Threats from hurricanes extend well beyond the coast,' said acting NOAA Administrator Laura Grimm. 'As we saw last year with Hurricanes Helene and Debby, inland flooding can be just as dangerous. Early, accurate forecasts save lives.'