Opinions on living below sea-level on the Gulf coast

sadly, it looks as though Gustav will cause more devastation to New Orleans. what are your thoughts about rebuilding a city (again) below sea level that will always be vulnerable for complete destruction by hurricanes?

Message edited 8/29/2008 10:29:00 PM.

Re: Opinions on living below sea-level on the Gulf coast

Honestly? I don't get it. I know that's easy to say because it's not ME giving up my home, but i just don't get putting your family at risk (aside from everything you own) just to stay in the familiar place.

Right now, i'm in the process of packing up my grandfather and great-aunt from the house they've lived in for the past 60 years. It's riddled with memories from my whole life- each part of my family's history is somehow connected to that house, and it's the last place left that shows the remains of my grandmother's life. It's heartbreaking. But, it's necessary. It's just not a healthy place for them to be anymore. I think it's similar to the situation that many of those people are facing. It's hard to let go of your home, of your history, of everything you've ever know. But, sometimes it's necessary.

Re: Opinions on living below sea-level on the Gulf coast

I don't vote for rebuilding.

Re: Opinions on living below sea-level on the Gulf coast

my husband said the same thing tonight - he goes, here we just rebuilt this place (or are still in the process) and it is going to be destroyed again. maybe there are some places in this country that we are just not meant to live in -- there are places people don't live in like the rocky mountains -- what if certain parts of new orleans are similar? it is sad but in reality, it might just be too dangerous/risky.

Re: Opinions on living below sea-level on the Gulf coast

I also think that its easy to say "find another place to live" since I don't live there.

a LOT of people left NO for good after Katrina. they made the right choice IMO.

Re: Opinions on living below sea-level on the Gulf coast

Posted by neenie

Honestly? I don't get it. I know that's easy to say because it's not ME giving up my home, but i just don't get putting your family at risk (aside from everything you own) just to stay in the familiar place.

Right now, i'm in the process of packing up my grandfather and great-aunt from the house they've lived in for the past 60 years. It's riddled with memories from my whole life- each part of my family's history is somehow connected to that house, and it's the last place left that shows the remains of my grandmother's life. It's heartbreaking. But, it's necessary. It's just not a healthy place for them to be anymore. I think it's similar to the situation that many of those people are facing. It's hard to let go of your home, of your history, of everything you've ever know. But, sometimes it's necessary.

Re: Opinions on living below sea-level on the Gulf coast

DH and I were just talking that today. It's really sad that the New Orlean citizens have to go through this again but honestly they have a choice.

There are so many parts of the United States they can move to and rebuild. Why stay knowing that you may have to go through that again?

The same can be ask of those who are choosing not to evacuate despite official warnings that they will have to fend for themselves if/when the hurricane strikes...

Re: Opinions on living below sea-level on the Gulf coast

I think you have to take the good with the bad

if you love living there- then prepare for the worst- hope for the best

but I would only let my house get destroyed once- after that I would be out

my Dad lives on the intracoastal in FL- I am always worried about it- but 99% of the time it's awesome

BUT he is moving into an ocean front building that got wrecked by Ivan (how many years ago)

if it gets wrecked again- I am just going to look at him and say duh!

they rebuilt to new higher codes- so it should be ok- but I feel like they are guttons for punishment sometimes

Re: Opinions on living below sea-level on the Gulf coast

IMO, I would not live in NO b/c of the threat of flooding or worse. That is too great a risk for me. I could take the risk living on water front property, b/c at least I know what my chances are (canal va bay vs sound vs ocean), but in a place like NO, you are living in a bathtub whose walls could break at any time--hurricane or not--and that's just too much of an unknown for me.

I know that's kind of backward logic (a flood is a flood is a flood), but I am able to justify it that way. not that I'll be able to afford waterfront property ever, or anything.

Re: Opinions on living below sea-level on the Gulf coast

Honestly, it was ridiculous to build a city there in the first place. They are lucky it was so long before a major storm hit them. In my scientific/logical mind, I say it shouldn't be rebuilt, let it go back to its natural state - but my emotional mind feels for people who have homes and histories there - I understand why they are rebuilding.