NEW ORLEANS - It's been 11 years since the wind, rain and subsequent levee breaks associated with Hurricane Katrina deluged New Orleans.

On Monday, officials marked the occasion with wreath-laying ceremonies to remember those who lost their lives to the flooding and celebrations to commemorate those who survived.

Mayor Mitch Landrieu joined state Sen. Wesley Bishop, state Rep. John Bagneris, city councilmembers James Gray and Nadine Ramsey and other officials for an event at the newly built multipurpose community center in the Lower 9th Ward, one of the hardest hit areas still recovering.

Landrieu says it's important to remember the lives lost while also highlighting the 9th Ward's accomplishments since the devastation, including the opening of new retail stores and a fire station. Still, he says there remains much to do.