NEW ORLEANS -- After businesses, cars and home took on water during a heavy rain storm Friday, new Mayor Latoya Cantrell took another shot at answering the question "Is this as good as it gets?"
Cantrell held a press conference on her sixteenth day as mayor to have a "proactive" and "honest conversation" about the city's plan to improve its drainage and flood mitigation systems as hurricane season approaches.
“We have definitely hit the ground running and had our first experience with rainwater on this past Friday,” Cantrell said. "The scale and scope of what we have to grapple with in our city is much bigger than just one agency or one set of metrics.”
Cantrell admitted that the city's drainage system is not at 100 percent, but it's "better than it has been."
“Right now, today, we’re doing everything we can to mitigate ... but it is the best we were able to do on Friday," Cantrell said. "The good news is there are many good options to help us move forward."
The mayor listed retention ponds, clearing drain obstructions and building all new sidewalks out of concrete that can retain rain water as pieces of the city's plan to prevent flooding.
Cantrell also took the opportunity to praise NOPD, NOFD and EMS services for their work Friday, adding that communication between emergency services and the city is better than ever, but will continue to be improved.
This is a developing story. We'll have in-depth coverage on Eyewitness News at 5 and 6.