Reply #1: I'm glad this is finally getting some national attention

[Ex Lurker]

the month of May is going to be scary between Memphis and New Orleans. Worst case scenario, the Mississippi River changes course. Unlikely to happen, but it almost did in 1973. Barring a meteor impact or Yellowstone volcano eruption, it's the worst natural disaster that could happen in this country. Orders of magnitude worse than a Cat 5 hurricane hitting a major city, worse than a major Cali quake or even the fabled New Madrid fault. Near total economic disruption for months at a minimum, with permanent consequences for trade, energy and transportation. Not trying to scare anybody, because it's unlikely to happen this time. But it could. And it will, someday.

Leaving that aside, the second largest oil refinery in the country sits smack dab behind the levee in Baton Rouge. If it goes under water, you'll see gas prices jump above $6 or $7 a gallon overnight, and that's just one example.