Scientists poring over satellite imagery of the Katrina region may have found a new explanation for why the levees failed so spectacularly in the face of the hurricane. New Orleans is sinking at a rate of at least an inch a year. This is five times faster than previously expected, and is paired with a discovery that the area is not sinking uniformly but some areas are sinking much faster than others. Thus, disaster planners have to rethink evacuation routes in light of whether the route WILL BE below sea level at the time the next hurricane hits, even if they are not now. It also means that building a new levee to old specifications is a recipe for disaster. A levee built to code for tomorrow, will be at least a foot too low 10 years from now.
Perhaps it is time to admit the reality. New Orleans is a disaster waiting to happen for builders and residents. It probably should not be rebuilt... or if it is, it should be rebuilt in a radically new way which avoids the worst areas and provides extra protection for those which are rebuilt.
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