WASHINGTON - It is an unremarkable wall a stone's throw from the White House, barely noticed by tourists and locals alike. Yet officials hope this updated but never-used levee system will protect downtown Washington from the wrath of Hurricane Florence. The Washington wall bisects 17th street, meaning there is normally a gap in the defenses. While Litterst currently sees "no indication" of a need to use the levee system, which was designed to protect the White House and nearby neighborhoods and federal properties, authorities are at the ready. At last survey, the Potomac's water level was at five feet (1.5 meters) above normal, with a peak of nine feet reached on Tuesday.

Source: Bangkok Post September 12, 2018 23:37 UTC