The wetlands separating New Orleans and the Gulf of Mexico provide a substantial but, as yet, generally unquantified buffer in reducing the impacts of hurricanes to New Orleans. Ideally these wetlands would be restored to some earlier state of functioning; however, this is a daunting task due to their geographic extent, the entrenched stakeholders and the ongoing subsidence. Various alternatives are presently being considered. One component of an overall “fix” would be to not allow rebuilding in areas that are substantially below sea level; however, our political system has not been effective in non-structural approaches of this type. The ultimate solution for New Orleans will undoubtedly be guided by a “mix” of factors including environmental, engineering, political and willingness of the Nation to shoulder a portion of the economic burden in the presence of other demands.

Mississippi has been extremely unfortunate to have been impacted by two storms which, based on best estimates, have generated 1,000 year storm surges (Camille in 1969 and Katrina in 2005) in a period of 36 years. The Katrina storm surges approached 8 meters in some locations and thus extended great distances inland. This combination of unprecedented storm surges and wave action caused the destruction of thousands of residences and the damage to thousands more. The previous 100 year FEMA Still Water Levels in the Mississippi coastal area were on the order of 11 to 12 feet; however, a restudy, now underway, will undoubtedly increase these values substantially. Although levees are being considered for the Mississippi coastline, this area is not affected by rapid subsidence and it is likely that non-structural approaches (mostly elevated structures) will be adopted.