On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina made landfall in Louisiana and caused nearly 2,000 fatalities and $125 billion in damages, making it one of the costliest storms in United States’ history. Even though it’s been many years since Katrina, you can still see the destruction she caused. If you’ve ever driven along I-10 around New Orleans East, you may have noticed a theme park visible in the distance. This eyesore has been a bit of a black eye for New Orleans ever since the storm hit, completely destroying this once-cheerful amusement park.
First things first: Six Flags New Orleans is off-limits to the public, so don’t even think about it.
Rande Archer/Flickr While scrappy photographers have braved past the gates to get these photos, know that this area is completely off-limits and is closely monitored. Trespassing is a crime and will be punished.
Before Six Flags purchased the amusement park, it was known as Jazzland.
Erik Jorgensen/Flickr
Jazzland opened in 2000 before Six Flags purchased it in 2002. They invested $20 million in upgrading the park and opened the doors the following year.
Nathan Hoang/Flickr
Unfortunately, Six Flags New Orleans wasn’t as lucrative as everyone had hoped.
Erik Jorgensen/Flickr While it was technically in New Orleans, it was on the edge of the town and not convenient for tourists or locals to get to, but that wasn’t what shut the amusement park down.
The last day the park was open was August 21, 2005, eight days before Hurricane Katrina struck.
DadaMonk Thereian/Google
Due to its proximity to Lake Pontchartrain, Six Flags suffered a devastating fate during the hurricane.
David Eger/Google The park was submerged in six feet of water for over a month.
Everything was destroyed.
Nathan Hoang/Flickr
80% of the rides were damaged beyond repair.
Lost_Places_Global/Google
Initially, Six Flags stated that they would be closed at least until 2007 while they made repairs.
Yui Komory/Google After a more thorough assessment, it was determined that it was a total loss and Six Flags began the conversation with the city of New Orleans to exit their 75-year lease.
Today, the amusement parks sit abandoned, slowly being reclaimed by Mother Nature.
Aubrey/Google There have been conversations with several companies hoping to purchase the property and turn it into a useable space again. Hopefully, one day, it’ll be less of an eyesore and perhaps a beautiful park, a shopping center, or maybe even another amusement park.
Do you remember visiting Six Flags New Orleans before the storm? Share your memories with us in the comments.
Rande Archer/Flickr
While scrappy photographers have braved past the gates to get these photos, know that this area is completely off-limits and is closely monitored. Trespassing is a crime and will be punished.
Erik Jorgensen/Flickr
Nathan Hoang/Flickr
While it was technically in New Orleans, it was on the edge of the town and not convenient for tourists or locals to get to, but that wasn’t what shut the amusement park down.
DadaMonk Thereian/Google
David Eger/Google
The park was submerged in six feet of water for over a month.
Lost_Places_Global/Google
Yui Komory/Google
After a more thorough assessment, it was determined that it was a total loss and Six Flags began the conversation with the city of New Orleans to exit their 75-year lease.
Aubrey/Google
There have been conversations with several companies hoping to purchase the property and turn it into a useable space again. Hopefully, one day, it’ll be less of an eyesore and perhaps a beautiful park, a shopping center, or maybe even another amusement park.
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Address: Six Flags Drive, Six Flags Dr, New Orleans, LA 70129, USA
