Flood number 1 started at the mouth of the river and inundated the east bank and lower west bank of Plaquemines Parish. Much like the flooding that hit the Mississippi Gulf coast an hour later, this first flood was water directly from the Gulf of Mexico driven by storm surge over the first land it encountered.

This flood may not have a solution other than to expect it again. Restoring the wetlands and barrier islands will help somewhat but low lying coastal areas of this type must expect periodic flooding, strong winds and torrential rains. Some communities may benefit from ring levees. Most buildings should be raised well above ground level.