Speaking on Larry King Live on CNN tonight, the Brigadere General of the US Army Corps of Engineers said that by next hurricane season, the levies will be re-built for a Category 3 hurricane (i.e. no change in design) and 10-ft height (vs. 7 feet).
Did I hear correctly? If so, there is no plan to reinforce the levies for more? Although not a common occurence, so normally one would not design for the worst case…still there is so much at risk here! So, is that the game plan!?!
I must assume, lacking further inside info, that it means mean that this is as far as they can do in time for for next season, by rebuilding in-place. As in, going for Cat4/5 and/or 20’ surge protection would take years and require reconceptualizing the whole system of NOLA flood protection. And the determination as to whether that is viable or really worth it on a Cost/Benefit/Risk basis is not yet made.
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For crying out loud, people…
LEVEES
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…sorry, man, not personal, I just could not take it any more…
See this thread for more: Katrina: Why did the levees fail?
Many improvements could be made to various portions of the US infrastructure, but a cost/benefit analysis must be done, and a determination of who’s going to pay the tab needs to happen, as there are many more projects than there are dollars. Beyond that answer, we’re headed into GD or the Pit, and I don’t wish to take this response there. 
Yes it seems like a real reponse to the Levee problem could take years. How long did it take Venice or parts of Holland to become the cities they are toay?
Don’t tell the Dutch that you think Holland is a city. 
It’ll be our secert. :smack: Ya, caught that, but you know what I mean. The dikes and all . . . how long did it take them? 
Centuries, Si Amigo. The Netherlands HAVE had a major North Sea flood in living memory for which some of the response infrastructure took until the 1990’s to have in place. Both the Netherlands and Venice became economic powerhouses well in the past, when the level of works necessary to protect the population and property was of a smaller scale than it would be if they had to do it from scratch for their current populations and properties (and today, Old Venice would more likely just not be built…)
I heard a general who’s name sounded like General Whore. Did I hear that right?
I bet you’re thinking of General Honore.
No, it’s a different guy. I heard the pronunciation, rather than saw his name.
Using a guessed spelling, I did find a General Joseph Hoar.
Frosty!