Isaac Seepage Closes New Orleans Museum of Art

The New Orleans Museum of Art says it is closed because water from soil saturated by Hurricane Isaac is seeping into the basement, administrative offices and other areas.

Seepage into the basement of the century-old building was a major hurdle in its recover from Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

The Times-Picayune reports that events in the Besthoff Sculpture Garden are continuing. The sculpture garden re-opened Sept. 1.

A statement from the museum says it has maintained climate control in the building, but cannot open it to the public to maintain proper conditions during work to assess and fix the damage.

NOMA representatives have said that no artworks were damaged by Isaac or the resultant below-ground leaks. No reopening date has been issued.