"Mardi Gras Bead Catchers Blamed for New Orleans Weather Flooding"

Sewerage & Water Board Executive Director Ghassan Korban stated that the use of "gutter buddies" during Mardi Gras parades to prevent catch basins from clogging contributed to the flooding in New Orleans. He emphasized that the volume of rain would have overwhelmed any drainage system but noted intentional blockage of catch basins along St. Charles Avenue. Korban highlighted that the responsibility to remove these blockages lies with the city, not the S&WB.