To New Orleans - How many hurricanes is it going to take for you to give up going back?

Question

To New Orleans - How many hurricanes is it going to take for you to give up going back?

Answer 1

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.

In case $14 Billion sounds like a lot, the federal government spent that much for a 3-mile tunnel under Boston harbor for commuters.

Note that New Orleans is NOT "prone" to hurricanes or being flooded. The last one to hit before Katrina was in 1965 and before that was in 1947. Neither of those flooded the city proper like Katrina, which was the strongest storm ever recorded to strike North America (size + surge).  Gustav was a near-miss, but did test the levee system.  

There is a widespread myth that New Orleans is "built below sea level”, but that is not true.

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 and floods much more often than New Orleans. However, I don’t hear anyone claiming New York, Florida, California, Kansas/Iowa, 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 2

You must have never been to New Orleans. If you have been, then maybe you would understand. I was raised all over the US. Born in Seattle, I lived in Dallas, San Diego, and New Orleans....and a good number of other cities less popular. I lived in New Orleans from age 13 until Katrina hit. Then I stayed in Arkansas for 3 months after the storm. I went back to help my father rebuild his house. It's probably not the smartest idea to live in an area below sea level...but I LOVE New Orleans. It's a city like no other. It's dirty, it's dangerous, but the city is beautiful. It has a culture like no other city in the world. The people that live there love it for those reasons. New Orleans is a very special place to many, many people. And we will rebuild stronger and better every time.

Answer 3

stfu you  

Answer 4

Well, I don't know.  Let's ask the entire state of Florida.  

Answer 5

Their home, basically everything's there.

People aren't going to be willing to give it up, besides I'm not sure if they're willing or can financially support moving all the way to other states or anything :S.

Scientists think they can just invent something to withstand Hurricanes, but that's just their problem; lack of common sense to "Get out of there!"

Answer 6

No amount of hurricanes will keep us from New Orleans. You can always rebuild. But you can never make another place home. Move here and you will get it.

Answer 7

i agree 5% with you; but at the same time that is peoples homes, i mean what if that happened to your area , wouldn't you be concerned with your home, i mean wouldn't you miss it. i know i would.i live in Baton Rouge and my boyfriend is new orleans .... i had plans of moving out there, but all the hurricanes evacuating, && coming back, leaving coming back ,I'm not for all that. but i love new orleans, && if those people want to continue living there, i back them up 100% !!

Answer 8

For crying out loud..there have only been a handful of hurricanes that did significant damage in New Orleans history.  Florida gets A LOT more and I bet you aren't asking Floridians the same question are you?  

Answer 9

Why should they? Every city on earth has been built out of defiance to nature and has faced similar obstacles. Every single one.

NOLA guy said it all.