New survey reveals New Orleans post-Katrina moving patterns

A recent Census survey of New Orleans showed that four out of five of the city's residents moved away during or shortly after Hurricane Katrina.

The survey, which included 6,000 households found that 21 percent of residents moved at least twice following the storm, while 12 percent only moved once. However, 7 percent said they were still unable to find a permanent home as of 2009, when the survey was completed.

Also, results showed that 80 percent of respondents lived in the area prior to the Hurricane, and 19 percent moved to the city afterwards.

This study brings to light the effects that such a large storm can have on those residing within the impact area, but also raises questions about whether the U.S. will be better prepared for a large number of displaced individuals in the future, according to Alyson Plyer from the Greater New Orleans Community Data Center.

The potential of severe natural disasters may be an important consideration for those interested in moving, since the rate of people affected by natural disasters increased by 1 million worldwide between 1995 and 2005, as compared with the decade before, according to the World Bank.  

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