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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
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9

It's Official: New Orleans Will Never Be the Same

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(Newser) – Even if the government somehow managed to re-create pre-Katrina New Orleans, it couldn't guarantee the safety of the city and its residents, according to a new report. The Army Corps of Engineers is rebuilding levees in anticipation of a “100-year storm,” but for a city of New Orleans’ size nothing is truly sufficient, the Times-Picayune reports. The report recommends relocating people living in at-risk areas.

“Reconstructing all pre-Katrina protective structures, and creating settlement patterns just as they existed before Katrina, simply would position the city and its inhabitants for additional, Katrina-like disasters,” the report warns. For residents who can’t be moved, the committee recommends a tactic used by the city’s early residents: “Add an extra floor in building plans so that floor is expendable in a flood event.”

The 17th Street Canal in Metarie, La., showing repairs made since Katrina.
The 17th Street Canal in Metarie, La., showing repairs made since Katrina.   (AP Photo)
The Orleans Marina on the shore of Lake Pontchartrain in New Orleans in 2008. This area outside of the levee protection system was flooded during the passage of Hurricane Ike in the Gulf of Mexico.
The Orleans Marina on the shore of Lake Pontchartrain in New Orleans in 2008. This area outside of the levee protection system was flooded during the passage of Hurricane Ike in the Gulf of Mexico.   (AP Photo)
A Louisiana National Guard Chinook helicopter drops sand bags into a 150 feet breach in the levee at Pointe Celeste.
A Louisiana National Guard Chinook helicopter drops sand bags into a 150 feet breach in the levee at Pointe Celeste.   (AP Photo)
An aerial view of the new levee wall and the destroyed Lower Ninth Ward in New Orleans.
An aerial view of the new levee wall and the destroyed Lower Ninth Ward in New Orleans.   (AP Photo)
An aerial view of the work being performed on the 17th Street Canal.
An aerial view of the work being performed on the 17th Street Canal.   (AP Photo)
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9 comments
VIEWING:
 
ClingingToHope
Apr 24, 09 2:40 PM CDT
The democrat party can't fix this? I am disappointed. I thought they said they could fix everything. Hail, Chairman Barry! Reply
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ethical_person
Apr 24, 09 3:09 PM CDT
Oh, for Pete's sake. Can't we ever just have postings that aren't filled with this type of bipartisan hatred? No wonder we can't get anything done that matters. Reply
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Rob
Apr 24, 09 3:30 PM CDT
Why is it when a leftist posts a comment like this it's all back patting and congratulations and when someone from the right does it's divisive? Never mind. Rhetorical question and I don't need to hear the venom from the left. Reply
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IN RESPONSE:
shonangreg
Apr 24, 09 5:46 PM CDT
You're free to point out the vapid comments from the Left, Rob. NutsPA said nothing, though. Or do you disagree?
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riffran
Apr 24, 09 7:26 PM CDT
naaa they are to busy replanting the explosive charges in the dike's, to respond....oh gee my bad that was Bush.....because he hates black people......... Reply
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