Should ppl move out of New Orleans for good?

Question

Otherwise be ready to flee from your home every couple years!

Answer 1

Natural disasters happen all over the US and any other country!  That is like saying everyone should leave Ca (which is my home) because the next earthquake could be the big one... Bad things happen everywhere no matter where you go there could be a huge natural disaster. New Orleans is home to many people and its where they are happy, why leave the place you love.  

Answer 2

It does not make sense to live in a coastal city, prone to hurricanes that is BELOW sea level. I understand people love New Orleans, but with the position of the nearby lake and the constant threat of hurricanes, it's just not an economically sound idea.All reports indicate that hurricanes will become more frequent in the future. It's really just going to cost the taxpayers a ton of money to help rebuild the city every couple of years.

And the reason this does not apply to other coastal cities is that not all of them are below sea level, so they are not in as critical of a state as the city of New Orleans.

Answer 3

I think so.

The difference being in New Orleans and in areas of Florida and other places that are hit by hurricanes is that New Orleans is much more prone to extreme flooding.

Answer 4

Of course not. The country couldn't exist without the city, its surrounding industry, and the Port. As long as the Mississippi River runs thru it, people will always be in New Orleans. Listen to NOLA guy, he knows what he's talking about.

Answer 5

Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and Texas are hit by hurricanes much more often than New Orleans - why are you not asking the same question about those states?

Also, New Orleans has historically NOT been often struck by hurricanes.  The last one before Katrina was in 1965 and before that was in 1947.  Neither of those storms flooded the city like Katrina.

It is too soon to know where Gustav will go or how strong the storm will be when it makes landfall.

I see your question has already attracted "answers" containing the "New Orleans is below sea level" myth. In reality, most of New Orleans is above sea level.

In any event, New Orleans is not optional. History, architecture, culture, and the fact the city is home to many people are usually mentioned when the topic of the city's future is discussed.  However, those factors (while significant) are NOT why NOLA is important to the rest of the United States.

First, New Orleans is a metro area of almost 1.4 million people – not some small town that could be easily relocated somewhere else.

More than 35% of America's energy is either produced in Southeast Louisiana or imported through here, and the infrastructure is focused on New Orleans. What may be the largest oil field on earth was discovered offshore of Louisiana in 2006, and it will be exploited via New Orleans.

The Port of New Orleans is the largest or second largest port in North America each year (tons of cargo) and one of the top ports in the world each year. The Port of New Orleans is not replaceable.

More than 25% of America's petroleum refining capacity is in the New Orleans area. That percentage will increase due to a new refinery already under construction and the planned expansion of existing refineries.

A large percentage of America's non-petroleum chemical industry is here.

New Orleans is one of only three principal east-west transportation points for the USA, and the resulting convergence of water, rail, pipeline, electricity, and highway links is not replaceable.

A large percentage of America's ship building & repair industry is in New Orleans.

NASA builds essential parts for the space shuttle in New Orleans, and will build components for the next generation of spacecraft here. Other manufacturers (ex. Bell-Textron) have factories in New Orleans.

A large percentage of America's seafood comes from SE Louisiana, and the distribution network is focused on New Orleans.

And so on….

It is theoretically possible to move the industry and the population, but only at horrific cost. The Mississippi river, Gulf of Mexico, and the oil fields cannot be moved. To even attempt to replace New Orleans would cost Trillions of Dollars and the attempt would fail.

In contrast, New Orleans can be protected from future hurricanes with the expenditure of about $15 Billion (that should have been spent before Katrina) spread out over a period of a decade.

Realize that nowhere is without risk. NYC and Miami are at more risk from hurricanes than New Orleans. Los Angeles and San Francisco are at risk from earthquakes and fires. Seattle is threatened by volcanoes and Tsunamis. The Midwest is hit by tornadoes every year. However, I don’t hear anyone claiming New York, Florida, California, Kansas, or Washington (state) be abandoned, or even not rebuilt after the next disaster.

However, people routinely claim New Orleans should be abandoned, or that we somehow don’t deserve help after Katrina.

Why is that?

Answer 6

Yes you have to wonder - I wouldn't be comfortable living below sea level. But isn't a lot of Holland also below sea level?