What proportion of New Orleans and/or Gulf Coast residents were elderly before the 2005 hurricanes?
598416
As of the 2000 census, 11.6% of the population was 65 years or older. As of January, 2006, the city estimated that 10.8% of the overnight population (those staying over night somewhere in the city limits) was aged 65 or older.
85331
Good luck!  Most of the apartment complexes in the Greater New Orleans that did not have extensive damage are packed with people and will not have any vacancies.  Your best bet would be to either look on nola.com in the classified section for apartments being rented by individuals or possibly under wwltv.com under the forums.  Also try craigslist.com
708730
According to your dad's site, prior to Katrina; your parents, two daughters and two grandchildren lived together in an apartment.  \n\nOn the site, your dad also says that he was looking to buy a home before Katrina and the prices of rebuilt homes are too high. I don't mean to sound unsympathetic, but prices in my area go up by the day.  A house that was 160k four or five years ago is now over 400k.  People all over the country are being priced out.  I make a good living, but it's too expensive for me to buy where I live, so I am saving to buy a home elsewhere for cash after I retire.\n\nI know someone whose place was flooded and they lost everything.  They got FEMA funds for housing and emergency assistance.  Rather than spend the money, the whole family (and their dogs too) slept on the floor of his mother-in-laws 1 bedroom apartment while they looked for a house.  Then they applied for a for a 30-year Federal Housing Administration loan and used the FEMA cash as the down payment.  They moved in and are doing great.  \n\nYour mom works and presumably the daughter or daughters with the children works also.  Your dad gets disability.  All those working or income receiving adults put together should be able to afford a $125,000 house.  Apply for a FHA loan together, and see what happens.\n\nIf you all can't afford a house where you live,  then like a lot of other people in this country, you may all have to move to where you can afford to buy a house.  There really isn't an "I want to live here but I can't afford it so please pay for it for me" option in life.
1052108
Because too many of them have taken advantage of the system.  I've been to New Orleans there are so many jobs now it is crazy.  Construction and restaurant jobs are bountiful.  My question to you is, what percentage of those "victims" ever took care of themselves before?  How many relied on the government before the storm.  Why is it that other areas devastated by the storm have begun their recovery.\nWhy should the federal government have to endow these people with never ending aid?   I have many friends who have lost everything from Katrina.  They took the feds help to get restarted and now are rebuilding their lives.  \nAt some point in time you must take care of yourself.
995225
I have a feeling it is not going to be as intense this year, compared to last year. Still tho, if I were in in the Gulf region, I would take the normal hurricane season precautions, such as stocking up on water, non-perishables, batteries, and plywood.
789573
We live on the coast of Mississippi,and made it through hurricane Katrina,it was very scary.We had so many trees up rooted,Roof damage lots of water damage from the storm surge,We didn't get it as bad as a lot of people,but it is something I hope we never have to go through again.What everyone saw on TV is nothing compared to what we saw here,There is nothing like driving down the streets and seeing dead bodies of people and animals and coffins floating from where they washed up.It was horrible.
273929
Hurricane Katrina and Rita.
201382
I was in New Orleans the day before Hurricane Katrina hit. When we were evacuating the city we passed by very poor neighborhoods. Most of the people living in those neighborhoods were African American. They were sitting on the porches waving to us. I asked my boyfriend why they weren't leaving and he said they didn't have enough money for gas, food, hotel etc.. I don't think its the entire black race that feels this way about it. Just those in New Orleans who did not have enough money to evacuate.
6236
It does not make sense to rebuild New Orleans in its current location.  There is not enough land mass to last the next 5 years no less the next 500.  As to relocation would you call it New New Orleans or Orleans III?  As to it being the soul of the nation, people are the soul of our nation not places.
308545
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Katrina
1041689
Hurricane Andrew hit Florida in the early 90's. It also hit Louisiana.\nIt was the last major storm that I can recall that caused severe damage to Louisiana before Katrina.
3949
Unfortunately, the government does. Hence the reason they were in poor shape before Katrina and destroyed afterward.\n\nNew Orleans is/was one giant welfare state. Nearly the entire popuplation was government-dependent, and that is why most of its citizens acted so helplessly after the hurricane. This is never a problem in other cities, where citizens are proud of their self-sufficiency and laissez-faire capitalism.
116957
Well, I know New Orleans USED to be one of the worst....ahem.\n\n\n(BTW, NYC is one of the best)
584851
The chances of that happening are getting better and better each passing year. Gloria hit NY in the 80's, and scientists are saying within the nest 5-10 years,NY will be blasted beyond belief. Hey! They were right several years ago about New Orleans, and no one bothered to listen. Is anyone listening now???
1074152
Partly generally means less than half.  Scattered storms are said to have a percentage "chance" or coverage.
286290
They were screwed before it happened, while it was happening, and now even the worst, after it happened. They say 3% of the people will receive aid; because 75% have already left the area. Their land is being repossessed as we speak; because they can't live there and pay for the mortgages that have lapsed. The land will be resold. FEMA sent out over 5000 letters last week to recover funds they say they paid out to fraudulent victims of the hurricane. They are charging the money back to the victims. You can find the Article at the New York Times, PBS FRONTLINE, and I am sure many others. The Republicans are glad the African Americans are gone from there, and they don't mind saying it openly.
975736
Katrina wiped out a few.\nThey're regrouping.