Our New Orleans: A Benefit Album for the Gulf Coast Our New Orleans: A Benefit Album for the Gulf Coast Our New Orleans: A Benefit Album for the Gulf Coast is an album which presents songs recorded in September and October 2005, shortly after the failure of misdesigned levees flooded New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina (see: "Effect of Hurricane Katrina on New Orleans") With the destruction of their hometown fresh in their minds, New Orleans artists set about making music that directly acknowledges the city. Funds from the sale of the record is donated to Habitat For Humanity to aid those affected by the Hurricane Katrina disaster.
1915 New Orleans hurricane rail service to New Orleans was suspended. The hurricane also caused significant damage in areas around New Orleans, including the destruction of 90% of buildings destroyed along Lake Pontchartrain. Only one house remained standing in Leeville, Louisiana; similar destruction occurred between Golden Meadow, Louisiana and Cut Off, Louisiana, where 100 houses were demolished. In Morgan City, Louisiana, winds of 75 mph (120 km/h) blew down wires and crippled communication. The total damage to infrastructure in areas surrounding New Orleans was estimated at US$6.5 million. The heaviest rain fell within an area 25 mi (40 km) east of the center, though