<P> Hurricane preparedness in New Orleans has been an issue since the city's early settlement because of its location . </P> <P> New Orleans was built on a marsh . Unlike the first two centuries of its existence, today a little under half of the modern city sits below sea level . The city is surrounded by the Mississippi River, Lake Pontchartrain to the north, and Lake Borgne on the east . </P> <P> The earliest - settled parts of New Orleans and surrounding communities are above sea level . However, flooding was long a threat, from the periodic high waters of the Mississippi and from more occasional severe tropical storms which pushed the waters of Lake Pontchartrain into settled areas . Construction of the levees along the River began soon after the city was founded, and more extensive river levees were built as the city grew . These earthen barriers were erected to prevent damage caused by seasonal Mississippi River flooding . The Lake Pontchartrain shore was mostly undeveloped swamp, and only small levees were built there in the 19th century . </P> <Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This section needs expansion . You can help by adding to it . (June 2008) </Td> </Tr> </Table>

Is the current levee system surrounding new orleans able to withstand a category 5 hurricane