This is a post from my other blog called As Good As Being There. If you like it please give it a look. Note: Google Maps now have before and after pictures.
The Louisiana Superdome, often informally referred to simply as the Superdome, is a large, multi-purpose sports and exhibition facility located in the Central Business District of New Orleans, Louisiana. The Superdome is the home of the NFL's New Orleans Saints and was once the home of the New Orleans Jazz (now the Utah Jazz) NBA franchise.
The Superdome is a massive structure located on 52 acres (210,000 m²) of land; the dome has an interior space of 125,000,000 ft³ (3,500,000 m³), a height of 253 feet (82.3 meters), a dome diameter of 680 feet (210 meters), and a total floor area of 269,000 ft² (25,000 m²). It was the largest domed structure in the world until it was overtaken at the completion of the Millennium Dome in London, in June 1999.
The Superdome has a listed maximum football seating capacity of 72,003 (expanded) or 69,703 (not expanded), a maximum basketball seating capacity of 55,675, and a maximum baseball capacity of 63,525; however, published attendance figures from events such as the Sugar Bowl have exceeded 79,000.
Hurricane Katrina
The Superdome has been in use as a "shelter of last resort" for those in New Orleans unable to evacuate from Hurricane Katrina. Approximately 9,000 residents and 550 national guardsmen rode out the night in the Superdome as Katrina came ashore. Maj. Gen. Bennett C. Landreneau, adjutant general for the Louisiana National Guard, said that the number of people taking shelter in the Superdome has risen to around 15,000 to 20,000 as search and rescue teams bring more people to the Superdome from areas hard-hit by the flooding.
The Superdome was built to withstand most catastrophes; the roof was ostensibly estimated to be able to withstand winds with speeds of up to 200 mph, but flood waters could still possibly reach the second level 20 feet from the ground, making the structure an unreliable shelter in severe rain and wind. However, when looking into the origins of this 200 mph wind security in the Superdome, CNN reported that no engineering study has ever been completed on the amount of wind the structure can withstand; the building's engineering study was underway as Hurricane Katrina approached and was put on hold. It was used as an emergency shelter although it was not designed nor tested for the task.
Satellite view - via Google Maps
Pictures - via Google Images
In the News - via Google News
Hotels and Motels - via Google Local
Official website - Until further notice all events scheduled for the Superdome are canceled.
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