| Margie |
| (Senior Storm Chaser) |
| Wed Aug 31 2005 08:23 AM |
|
Re: Economic impacts
|
Quote:
Do you think a comparison can be made between Katrina's effect on modern New Orleans and the 1900 hurricane in Galveston? Obviously not comparing loss of life, but in terms of economic impact. Before that hurricane, Galveston was a thriving port city. They never really did recover from the storm. I used to live in Houston, and we would drive down to Galveston on the weekends, and I was always surprised at how few people were out shopping or on the beaches. Many people who lived in Galveston actually worked in Houston, due to the depressed state of the local economy.
My question is, can New Orleans recover, or is it doomed to become another Galveston?
That briefly crossed my mind, but then I decided that I'd rather not make comparisons. I don't think there is anything to compare to this.
We do need the MS river for transportation; it is absolutely essential for the rest of the country, and so whatever else happens, the river channel will be repaired. Whatever is decided about NO proper, somewhere along the river they will build whatever is required to support a port.
Beyond that - perhaps long term the coastal communities may decide to rebuild some businesses north of I-10, to minimize economic inpact in future storms. Wouldn't it be nice if the coast recovered but went back to being less industrialized. Guess I'm daydreaming.