Scientists Warn Of Future New Orleans Style Catastrophes

Substantial amounts of flood plain construction could reinvent Katrina all over again around the country.

1 minute read

February 22, 2006, 7:00 AM PST

"Concentrated development in flood-prone parts of Missouri, California and other states" -- in addition to the "weather situation" -- "has significantly raised the risk of New Orleans-style flooding as people snap up new homes even in areas recently deluged," according to scientists at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in February.

"Around St. Louis, where the Mississippi River lapped at the steps of the Gateway Arch during the 1993 flood, more than 14,000 acres of flood plain have since been developed since...Similar development has occurred around Dallas; Kansas City, Mo.; Los Angeles; Omaha, Neb.; and Sacramento, Calif...The lack of coordination among local, state and federal officials after a flood was evident with Katrina. [Scientists believed that] even before a storm hits, coordination on issues such as land use and development is a problem."

Thanks to Kui Zhao, AICP

Read the full story: Scientists warn of next New Orleans

Sunday, February 19, 2006 in The Baltimore Sun

Government / Politics United States

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

Start Learning

Advertise with us

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.