Flood protection and what we are learning from the Dutch

I've been there John. I've seen the planning and engineering that went into their project. They had flooding and have learned from their mistakes. I'm not sure this country is willing to put in the infrastructure like Holland. I still don't think it's smart to build below sea level. Also, keep in mind, the Gulf in not the North Sea

 

US government will never spend the bucks for effective protection.

With early estimates being 20 billion to upgrade from cat. 3 to cat. 5 levees I don't see it being done. The politians are too short sighted to build anything that lasts beyond their term of election.

Oddly of the 60 billion approved by Congress already- The NY Times states that 40 billion isn't spent. If LA hadn't gone to Congress and asked for a staggering 200 billion- maybe they could have gotten something. Last I checked- we’ve gotten zilch. Now attention is elsewhere- our window of opportunity may well have passed.

Sad to say but I am pessimistic about the city being rebuilt. It will be a very slow process since no one is around to pay for it or lead the way.

 

20 billion now, but a continous seawall/floodgate system was proposed by the ACOE 20-30 years ago at a cost of 2 billion. The system as designed would have DEFINITELY stopped the massive tidal surge that caused the levee failures but an environmental suit was filed, and won, by the hippie tree-huggers. Some rare frog,snake,bug or whatever, I can't recall which. The project was scrapped. It's really enough to drive you mad!

And I agree. Being in the construction business and riding through Lakeview, Old Metairie, Chalmette, I can say that this city will NEVER be the same, IMO. Just take a look at I-10 westbound every afternoon. One loaded U-Haul after another.
Dave

 

My mother just bought a house here on the Northshore. That would be -1 for New Orleans