Just read an excellent post over on Metroblogging New Orleans:

Only read this if you have about ten minutes to kill. This is the last post anyone will have to read in order to figure out what is going on in the city now, and what it was like pre-windy flood thing. Pay attention and read carefully as to not get confused. Please feel free to use this as a reference for any further shit you have to say. It will help you to not ask stupid questions and give you truthful knowledge of our past. Read more at New Orleans For Dummies

Pretty much sums it all up.