The Probability of a Major Hurrican Hitting New Orleans :: essays research papers

The Probability of a Major Hurricane Hitting sensitive siege of siege of Orleans Table of ContentsExecutive Summary3Introduction3Hypothesis7Analysis & Method8Conclusion10References12Appendix14Executive SummaryNew Orleans, atomic number 57 lies at the second lo double-u elevation among major(ip) cities in the linked States. It is a urban center surrounded by water, making it almost standardised an island. To counter this dangerous combination of the low elevation along with the lakes, rivers and swamps adjoin it, the Army Corps of Engineers built a serial publication of levees around the city to foster its valueion. It is these very same levees however that might doom the city should a Category 3 hurricane ever hit. Our statistical analyses examined the current stamp that there is a 39% probability that New Orleans pull up stakes be hit by a major hurricane and based on the resulting Z-score, rejected that belief. We did find however that the probability, while not 39%, was muted in the 30th percentile range, which should still be a major cause for concern among the leaders and residences of the city of New Orleans.IntroductionNew Orleans is a city that is rich in culture as well as history. The city is in effect, an island Lake Pontchartrain surrounds the city to the north, the disseminated sclerosis River to the west and south, and a bevy of lakes including Lake Borne to the east. Surrounding the city is a series of levees to abide by these bodies of water at bay. In addition to these levees, the only defense the city has is a series of canals and a very antiquated pumping system. However, the same levees that protect the city, makes it a death trap should a major hurricane make a direct hit to the metropolitan area. The risk of intense flooding brought onward by storm surges of 20+ feet would wipe the city out.New Orleans was founded to be a port to the world with its intersection at the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico, it was a grea t location for world trade. However, it was also a cesspool of disease, floods, and other problems. Despite this, the city was a major frugal powerhouse and the city grew and prospered despite of the problems.As the city expanded, swampland was get to expand the city. To protect its citizens, the Army Corp of Engineers built a series of levees around the city. These levees form a bowl around the city. It is precisely this computer architecture that was meant to protect the city will in effect destroy the city.