High crime rates and police corruption characterized the 1990s in New Orleans. Marc Morial, son of Dutch Morial, served as mayor for two terms consecutively between 1994 and 1998. The tourism industry became a great contributor to the economy of New Orleans during the late 1990s.
On May 8, 1995, Louisiana Flood, heavy rains dumped over a foot of water on parts of the city faster than pumps could remove it. Particularly in lower-lying parts of the city, the streets were filled with water. More automobiles were declared totaled than in any other incident in the U.S. A Freightliner/bulk cargo vessel collided with the Riverwalk mall and hotels on the Poydras Street Wharf in the afternoon of Saturday, December 14, 1996. The accident didn’t result in any deaths, but 66 people were injured. Fourteen shops and 456 hotel rooms were destroyed. The Freightliner was not removed from the crash site until January 6, 1997, by which time it had become something of a tourist attraction.
Below are some fascinating photos by Todd Jacobson that show what New Orleans looked like in the 1990s.
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I miss the FQ of the 90’s – it was much nicer and less crowded.
I remember the May 95 flood like it was yesterday. Grew up in Metairie. Was 15 years old. House flooded. Memories of repainting my room while listening to my tape of Ned’s Atomic Dustbin.
Girlfriend was stuck at work “Applebees on Chateau/W.Esplanade” overnight and I was stuck at the apartment with our puppy. She had it pretty good though because they traded meals for movies at the theater.
I lived across the street from Girard Playground, and the water was so deep that kids were climbing the little officiating booth tower and diving into the park! Meanwhile I was helping my parents tear out waterlogged carpet and drag it all outside.
Every house on our block but ours flooded, all of the neighbors drove their cars up on our lawn cuz it was built a bit higher. I was 8 then, and my dad sent me to help my neighbors rip up their carpet as soon as the water receded to mitigate as much damage as possible.
Ahhh, I was also probably listening to that same Ned’s Atomic Dustbin cassette while helping my parents tear out carpet, etc.
May 8, 1995. Got 10 inches in our house in Algiers. I remember my dog’s bed just floating in the living room like it was a bath toy.
It bothers me that the 1990s, which is when I was in high school and college, is now considered “history”.