This article documents a current event. Information may change rapidly as the event progresses.

The 9th ward is a highly distinctive region in New Orleans, Louisiana that is located in the eastern downriver portion of the city. It is bounded by the Industrial Canal on the westernmost side and Lake Pontchartrain in the north. Some notable landmarks in this region include the Lakefront airport and Bally's casino, arguably made famous by the Hot Boys music video "We On Fire". Since then, it has become commonplace for a multitude of different artists to mention the 9th ward in their songs. The 9th ward is commonly confused with a portion of the city that is technically downtown--although east of the central business district--that is commonly called the Lower 9th ward, and is south of the "Upper 9th ward", or simply 9th Ward. For city planning purposes, the majority of the 9th ward is referred to as the ninth planning district of New Orleans, though this area also includes planning districts 10 and 11 (not to be confused with the 10th and 11th wards.)[1] A map of the region that constitutes the 9th ward can be found here: [2]. The territory officially became part of New Orleans in 1852 when a large portion of Jefferson Parish called the city of Lafayette (not to be confused with the current city of Lafayette, Louisiana,) which included several other wards, became part of the newly unified city of New Orleans. A list of New Orleans Ward boundaries can be found here: [3] Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Ongoing events • Abramoff-Reed gambling scandal • Atlantic hurricane season • Dengue outbreak in Singapore • Expo 2005 in Aichi, Japan • Fuel prices • Gomery Comm. ... For information on the events of Hurricane Katrina, see Effect of Hurricane Katrina on New Orleans. ... The Industrial Canal is a 5. ... Map showing Lake Pontchartrain Lake Pontchartrain (local pronunciation ) is a brackish-water lake in southeastern Louisiana. ... The Hot Boys were an American hip hop group, active from 1997 to 2001, and collectively made up of the most popular performers on the New Orleans-based record label Cash Money Records. ... Lafayette is a city located on the Vermilion River in Lafayette Parish, in the U.S. state of Louisiana. ...

Among the famous residents of the 9th Ward are Fats Domino and rapper Mr. Magic, who popularized the initials "CTC," which stand for "Cross the Canal"--refering to the Industrial Canal. The Industrial Canal is a 5. ...

The Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina

It is rumored that citizens are shooting each other on roof tops so as to be rescued sooner, which is ostensibly the reason that news stations have not shown footage of New Orleans East. Chris Strauss has announced that looters and rioters will be shot on sight, as a result of Ray Nagin's declaration of Martial Law. It has also been reported that internet searches for this area have surged, making it one of the most publicized regions in the United States, despite the lack of video coverage.

EDIT:Martial law has NOT been declared in New Orleans. The term has been incorrectly used by local officials, according to http://civilliberty.about.com/b/a/198081.htm

Hurricane Katrina sunk this area under at least 8 feet of water--though many reports have this number significantly higher. It was flooded by the hurricane, long before the rest of the city was flooded by the levee burst. This article is about the 2005 hurricane. ... A levee, levée (from the feminine past participle of the French verb lever, to raise), floodbank or stopbank is a natural or artificial embankment or dike, usually earthen, which parallels the course of a river. ...

New York Times reporters characterize the neighborhood and it's residents as being economically disadvantaged. CNN correspondent Jeanne Meserve characterizes the homes in the neighborhood as "humble" and reports that the residents are people who might have had difficulty for economic and/or health reasons in evacuating--even to downtown New Orleans.East New Orleans' The Lower Ninth Ward appears to have been one of the most deeply affected areas in New Orleans by hurricane Katrina. CNN is currently covering (as of 11:30 CDT 8/29/05)heroic and dangerous rescues from attics and rooftops. CNN correspondents are reporting that these rescue efforts are being widely complicated by live powerlines, and natural gas lines that are still bubbling underwater which when combined with sparking live power lines can make a potentially deadly combination.

CNN is reporting that the Louisiana Department of Natural resources is providing flat bottomed boats that can navigate the neighborhood and the hazards a bit better than standard pleasure craft that have been pressed into volunteer service.

CNN's correspondent Adori Odoji reports that police sources are concerned that as many as 1000 may be stranded in attics and on rooftops of homes.

In the aftermath of the flooding accusations have flown regarding the plans to upgrade the levee that failed causing devastation and deaths. Some pundits blamed President Bush's redirection of resources to the War in Iraq. Some pundits blamed old-time politics as usual. However, according to the US Army Corps of Engineers, the government agency most closely associated with the New Orleans levee system, the causes for the delay are far more complex. The contract including the construction of a levee/floodwall along the west side of the canal from St. Claude Avenue to the Mississippi River became the focus of vigorous community debate regarding police protection, job training, reimbursement of business’ lost revenue, street improvements, housing revitalization program, educational enhancements, parks and playgrounds, historical/cultural markers and displays, and emergency medical services.

[4]

Fats Domino resides in the 9th Ward, was rescued on September 1st, and is at an undisclosed location. [5] Fats Domino Antoine Dominique Fats Domino (born February 26, 1928 in New Orleans, Louisiana), is a classic R&B and rock and roll singer, songwriter, and pianist. ...