Will there be a New Orleans to have Mardi Gras in 20 years?

[mymomwasright]

Happy Mardi Gras! I haven't been back to my childhood home in 11 years. Mom and sister still live there. I've been in the service the past 18 years.
I was actually contemplating moving back when I retire. That was before Katrina. I believe the city will be ignored, as it has for the past six months. I'm absolutely appalled that the government would rather pump 250 billion into "Iraqi freedom" than it's own people.
The last straw came when the NASA scientists were interviewed about the melting ice caps last Sunday on sixty minutes. Knowing that sea levels can rise up to seven feet in the next 50 to 100 years kind of makes the current efforts of the Corps of Engineers futile. The scientists were not peddling a theory, they insist it will happen. The fact that people are not talking about this is disturbing. It must be a "waiting until the last minute" factor.
I'm telling my mother to cut her losses and sell both her houses when she can. It's terrible to have to leave a life known for so long, but what will it matter if they don't have "Euro-style" levees protecting the city.
Who else believes that New Orleans will be claimed by the sea within this lifetime?

[Deja Q]

1. As I'm beginning to realize, nothing is forever.

Old traditions end. New ones made.

But at least we're alive and free to make them happen.

[htuttle]

2. I think the oceans will have begun to claim a number of cities in 20 years

New Orleans, the entire country of Bangladesh, and Miami among them.

[dysfunctional press]

4. don't forget Manhattan-

a rising tide swamps all coastal cities.

[dysfunctional press]

3. 20 years might be just a little soon-

unless they get hit with a hyper-cane before then.
but yes- i believe that rebuilding New Orleans in it's current location is ultimately futile, and that there are people alive today who will live to see it reclaimed by the sea.

[BOSSHOG]

5. I consider New Orleans a state of mind

so it will go on forever somewhere in the Universe. The coast continues to erode but efforts are being made to shore up the levees and doing something about that mouth of the Mississippi which is nothing but hell on the city during a hurricane. It will be around for a long long time. I'm 52 and I want to live a long long time and then have a jazz funeral through the French Qtr so it has to be around for awhile.

[Virginia Dare]

6. The tourist mecca will remain..

the culture and the people will be gone. It will be as fake as Disney World, but still a "fun" place to visit and spend tourist dollars. Very sad for the people who have considered it home.