(no subject)

[ceebeegee]

New Orleans is safe! Thanks, God--I know some people died in Alabama, but it could've been so much worse. NO is simply not equipped for a devastating storm.

What is it with all the hurricanes this season?

Comments

[minstrel70.livejournal.com]

An above-average hurricane season was forecast. The NOAA prediction explains the reasons in detail, but basically, it's a cyclical thing, and we're in the high part of a cycle.

I never knew before that New Orleans was so much at risk. I'm going to have to go there sometime soon...just in case.

[ceebeegee.livejournal.com]

New Orleans is way below sea level--in fact, I believe it's the largest city in the US below sea level. It's like Bangladesh.

[minstrel70.livejournal.com]

I'm aware of its elevation, and of the massive system of pumps and levees that keeps it dry. What I wasn't previously aware of was that officials in the city government expect that anything more than strong category-3 hurricane would overwhelm the system and destroy much of the city. I doubt most Americans had a clue that this was the case. To read the news reports about "50,000 body bags" and "we wouldn't rebuild" -- quoting city officials! -- was, frankly, shocking.