Would $14 billion in prevention have avoided much of what is happening?

[Karmadillo]

http://wsws.org/articles/2005/aug2005/hurr-a30.shtml

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Even after numerous warnings—including one issued before last year’s close call with Hurricane Ivan—local, state, and federal policy makers shrugged off the necessity for re-enforcing barrier islands, restoring the shock-absorbing wetlands, and constructing proper emergency facilities.

The cost of undertaking disaster prevention was declared by a panel of federal agency and business community representatives to be prohibitively expensive—$14 billion. Instead, the city opted to commission the Army Corp of Engineers to reinforce the levee system to withstand a category three hurricane for $740 million. Preliminary damage estimates for Hurricane Katrina run to $30 billion, not including environmental destruction or the effect on the fuel market as a result of damage to major Gulf oil drilling stations.

The latest hurricane is not an isolated disaster. It is part of a global trend. So far this summer, thousands of people around the world have drowned in massive and abrupt floods. India, known for its torrential monsoons, has taken hundreds if not thousands of casualties in a series of storms that have left houses submerged and survivors vulnerable to hunger and disease. On July 26, Bombay alone saw the deaths of nearly 450 and the displacement of 200,000 residents after a record 94 centimeters (37 inches) of rain fell in a span of 24 hours.

more...

[Cleita]

1. I'm sure it would have been better used for that than giving it

to Halliburton.

[xray s]

2. If Halliburton built levees...

...NOLA would be surrounded by 100ft tall levees. Built at 5 times the cost the ACOE could build them for.

[enki23]

3. that could potentially restore a lot of wetland

and build some damned impressive levees for an encore.

wetland restoration, both coastal and inland, is crucial for the future this state. nearly the entire economy is, ultimately, based on the continued functioning of its wetlands.