On Rebuilding New Orleans

New Orleans will most likely be rebuilt. President Bush has promised enormous amounts of federal dollars to aid in the rebuilding process. However, with new rains from Hurricane Rita, New Orleans has once again begun to flood. I am aware of the fact that the levees have not been fully repaired from the damage they sustained from Hurricane Katrina, and therefore new flooding would be expected under the circumstances. But, it does bring to mind the question of how secure the area would be from future storms.

Hurricane specialist indicate that we are currently in a cycle that will cause more active hurricane seasons, possibly for decades to come.

In the past decade, the southeastern United States and the Caribbean basin have been pummeled by the most active hurricane cycle on record. Forecasters expect the stormy trend to continue for another 20 years or more.

Is it really wise to spend billions of dollars to rebuild below sea level? I'm not necessarily saying that New Orleans should be abandoned altogether, only the areas that lie below sea level. These area are always going to vulnerable to major flooding.

Hurricane specialist also suggest:

Since the 1970s, hurricanes have caused more property damage and casualties. Researchers disagree over whether this destructiveness is a consequence of the storms’ growing intensity or the population boom along vulnerable coastlines.

“The damage and casualties produced by more intense storms could increase considerably in the future,” Emanuel said.

If were rebuild the areas that are below sea level, we are just asking for trouble.