Because, well... flood plains are often fertile ground, good access to waterways was beneficial for industry (keep in mind, when NO was founded, ships were the best way to ship - especially back to the Old Country).
Today while driving back from Wilmington and giggling at all the Hurricane Evacuation Routes, I had a bit of the same thought, especially considering we'd just left the Aquarium and its Hurricane exhibit.
But I think its a case of if the rivers don't rise more than X number of times and the storm surge only hits you Y number of times, it's a game of odds. Great views, good land, crossroads...
OK, enough of the history lesson, but for more interesting read on the "inevitable city on impossible land"... http://www.madere.com/history.html#003
Re: Why the hell aren't they running for the hills?
Today while driving back from Wilmington and giggling at all the Hurricane Evacuation Routes, I had a bit of the same thought, especially considering we'd just left the Aquarium and its Hurricane exhibit.
But I think its a case of if the rivers don't rise more than X number of times and the storm surge only hits you Y number of times, it's a game of odds. Great views, good land, crossroads...
OK, enough of the history lesson, but for more interesting read on the "inevitable city on impossible land"... http://www.madere.com/history.html#003