REBUILD NEW ORLEANS IN ITS BOWL AGAIN?

It is early to consider this; but with some things, the earlier they are considered, the better.

What kind of sense does it make to have a city near the Gulf and its hurricanes which is the size of New Orleans, in a bowl 8 to 20 feet below sea level?  If it does not make much sense, should it be rebuilt there?

We do not yet know how much of New Orleans will have to be rebuilt  But we can guess that there will probably not be a single structure that has not been damaged.  Each of these structures will have to be repaired, with either insurance or government money.  Many will have to be essentially replaced.  The cost will be so great that the government may have to bail out the insurance companies.  Either way, we the people will be paying for most of the rebuilding.

We are happy to rebuild New Orleans!  We would expect the same if such a disaster happened to our own cities.  It is simply the right thing to do, and we will do it.  Without complaining, I hope and expect.  But if almost the entire city must be rebuilt, wouldn't this be a good opportunity to rebuild it in a different location, on higher ground?  New Orleans has been a disaster waiting to happen for decades.  Its being hit by a hurricane has been ranked as, I believe, the second largest natural disaster that could possibly hit the United States.

If we are going to spend the money and effort to almost totally rebuild it anyhow, why not build it in a location that is not in a bowl below sea level?  Where we would have more hope of not having to rebuild it again after the next hurricane?

While the desirability of such a move cannot be determined until the damage is assessed, still, we would have little time to start looking at such a decision.  The reason is that payments to start the rebuilding will start almost immediately, considering the need to get New Orleans back on its feet.  The rebuilding money will be almost totally committed before long.  Can we not at least look at moving this stricken, and still very vulnerable city before we start rebuilding it in a place which remains simply another such disaster waiting to happen?

Comments

[Fred Olds]

Gerry
My thought exactly. I read an article in the Chronicle a few months ago assessing the chances of such a disaster.

I would suggest moving the survivors to Baton Rouge and rebuilding there, allowing New Orleans to return to the Gulf of Mexico.
Fred

[Porkopolis]

I'm starting a blog list of responsible bloggers asking the tough questions regarding the rebuilding of New Orleans at Discussions on alternatives to rebuilding New Orleans.

Please point any like minded bloggers that would like to be added to the list over my way at:

http://porkopolis.blogspot.com/2005/08/discussions-on-alternatives-to.html

Part of what has to be done is contact Senators and Congressman to let them know there's another way to help those in need.

Porkopolis

[whitney]

I think they should rebuild NEW ORLEANS because it is home to many of people who want to go back like I do. Think about it, NEW ORLEANS would be bigger and better than before. we need your support for your own hometown LOUISIANA!

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