[JohnW]

Let's not compare New Orleans to Holland. Almost the whole of the Netherlands is below sea level, they don't have an option but to have many dwellings on such land. New Orleans is one city and as most of it which was below sea level is now destroyed, what is the sense in rebuilding it on the same spot? We're talking about a few square miles here. There are very few houses, if any, in Florida built below sea level and modern houses here are built to withstand winds of Hurricane forces. Individuals can help that situation by adding storm shutters to their houses to safeguard the roof being blown off. Nothing is earthquake proof, but buildings in San Fransisco are certainly built to codes which make them earthquake resistant. What are you going to do with houses built below sea level when the levees break? Put a volvo outboard on the back of 'em and head up the Mississippi?