20 replies to this topic

[drdiver]

The port for the Mississippi has to be located far enough inland so that barges (the most economical means of moving freight) can still navigate, but close enough to the ocean that sea going ships can be loaded and off loaded. That's the point of the article. Virtually all the commerce of the middle 1/3 of U.S. (excepting what goes through the St. Lawrence Seaway) passes through New Orleans. This includes the bulk of grain production and manufactured exports for those regions. as well as a good proportion of other imports (ore, petroleum products, steel, etc). New Orleans is where it is because it fits those criteria. I think we can expect an economic recession from the storm and the rise in oil prices.

[sunshinediver]

Here is an excellent and thorough article on the Effect of Hurricane Katrina on New Orleans

[DandyDon]

Here is an excellent and thorough article on the Effect of Hurricane Katrina on New Orleans

a very good article indeed - thanks.

[Warthog]

For those interested, FEMA has an inventory of about 1,200 manufactured homes and about 600 RV's in Ft. Worth, Atlanta, and in Maryland. While I expect these to be moving soon, the overwheming problem is where to send them as over a million folks are still without electricity, water treatment, running water, etc.

Just another point while I am in the spirit. The RV industry is very quickly ramping up to build close to 50,000 RV's with a likely destination of Alabama and Mississippi, to assist these areas with shelter as the citizens clean up. FEMA has acquired the inventory of one large Manufactured Home supplier and is in process of finalizing bids for new units. No one knows the destination of these homes or exisiting home inventories from last years 4 hurricane cycle in Florida. It is believed that many of these homes will remain in Texas or be sent here to help with NO residents that plan to stay here or in the likely event that they will be here awhile.

The RV community is very worried about the effects of Katrina. Not just the rising cost of fuel, but the lack of space for Snowbirds (people that live in the north during the summer and 'migrate' to the south during the winter).

Between the campgrounds closed or significantly cut back from the FL hurricanes last year and the lack of space or destroyed space caused by Katrina, finding a campground in warmer climates is going to be very hard in the southeast. That means higher prices for those that do find spots, and more people in the mid-atlantic and southwest campgrounds.

Not to mention the potential for a shortage of parts if FEMA sucks up all the resources.

Then there's the long term impact of a flood of RV's coming in to the market for short term use...causing a drop in resale values down the road. Most people don't expect to get much out of their used RV (they're worse than cars at depreciation), but every $ helps.

The one thing going for us is the aging baby boomers looking to retire on the road.

-Warthog :dltears:

Edited by Warthog, 07 September 2005 - 10:13 AM.

[dustbowl diver]

For those interested, FEMA has an inventory of about 1,200 manufactured homes and about 600 RV's in Ft. Worth, Atlanta, and in Maryland. While I expect these to be moving soon, the overwheming problem is where to send them as over a million folks are still without electricity, water treatment, running water, etc.

Just another point while I am in the spirit. The RV industry is very quickly ramping up to build close to 50,000 RV's with a likely destination of Alabama and Mississippi, to assist these areas with shelter as the citizens clean up. FEMA has acquired the inventory of one large Manufactured Home supplier and is in process of finalizing bids for new units. No one knows the destination of these homes or exisiting home inventories from last years 4 hurricane cycle in Florida. It is believed that many of these homes will remain in Texas or be sent here to help with NO residents that plan to stay here or in the likely event that they will be here awhile.

The RV community is very worried about the effects of Katrina. Not just the rising cost of fuel, but the lack of space for Snowbirds (people that live in the north during the summer and 'migrate' to the south during the winter).

Between the campgrounds closed or significantly cut back from the FL hurricanes last year and the lack of space or destroyed space caused by Katrina, finding a campground in warmer climates is going to be very hard in the southeast. That means higher prices for those that do find spots, and more people in the mid-atlantic and southwest campgrounds.

Not to mention the potential for a shortage of parts if FEMA sucks up all the resources.

Then there's the long term impact of a flood of RV's coming in to the market for short term use...causing a drop in resale values down the road. Most people don't expect to get much out of their used RV (they're worse than cars at depreciation), but every $ helps.

The one thing going for us is the aging baby boomers looking to retire on the road.

-Warthog :dltears:

I can tell you that the specs on RV's and homes is about as vanilla as it gets. Subsequently, I don't believe that the manufacturers are making killer margins. What becomes of this stuff is anybody's guess. If in modest useable condition, will they be available via public auction?? What about first right of refusal to the receipiants??

One thing is guaranteed, consumer goods of all kinds are going to go up, no matter what it is!!

[DandyDon]

And here is another view - which helped me understand why we've seen lawless reactions in New Orleans that we have not seen in other disasters...

An Unnatural Disaster: A Hurricane Exposes the Man-Made Disaster of the Welfare State

by Robert Tracinski, the editor and publisher of TIADaily.com and The Intellectual Activist magazine.
Sep 02, 2005

http://tiadaily.com/...cle.php?id=1026

Really an interesting read.

Edited by DandyDon, 07 September 2005 - 07:15 PM.