Are there any estimates of how many will be homeless from this disaster?

[in_cog_ni_to]

This is devastating! Do officials have any clue how many will be left with nowhere to go? Those poor people. :cry:

[LSK]

1. looking at all those houses underwater, id guess 1million

Can underwater houses be kept or are they trash?

[Sgent]

2. Depends on how badly

Many/most houses in NOLA are built to withstand 2 ft of water or so w/o having to be totaled (plumbing & electrical is higher, horizontal fiberboard for easier access, etc.). When its 8 feet....

[in_cog_ni_to]

3. I have no clue.

I have never lived through a hurricane. :shrug: I don't know if the homes can be saved or not. 1 million homeless won't be far off from the looks of things.:cry:

[TahitiNut]

4. They're probably mostly trash.

Any renovation would have to bring all affected components to meet building codes and most of those houses are so far behind on codes that the costs would amount to a total rebuild, I'm guessing. Flood water damage to a wood frame house can be pretty severe.

[kestrel91316]

5. I think they have to take them right down to the studs and start over.