Jacob L. Vigdor
The Economic Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina
National Bureau of Economic Research|Duke University
august 29 2005 hurricane katrina swept louisiana new orleans city built largely land reclaimed swamp witnessed massive failures levees much city surrounding suburbs inundated residents city heeded warnings flee approaching storm evacuated wake less week citys population declined 400000 near zero census bureau estimates indicate almost two years storm july 1 2007 nearly half evacuees yet return future new orleans bear resemblance city existed prior katrina government authorities city officials federal spokespersons insist new orleans mustand shouldbe fully rebuilt many environmental scientists question whether rebuilding would sensible given citys precarious geological position contribution past land reclamation citys current vulnerability basic positive question whether city come back however fundamentally economic one hurricane katrina city new orleans continue preferred location 400000 residents employers disaster shift city new equilibrium level employment population