well, Q, I see the numbers, but I'm not sure what you are arguing, if anything. I do, however, agree with the general thrust of your point about the 1927 control bill....because of that flood, a form of long-term panic ensued with little understanding of the forces involved. (New Orleans is still not a good place for a major city, even if flood control had been done right and the delta protected. )

Still, statistics don't alter what I said..."an area **MAY** go hundreds or years without a major tsunami." And those statistics even support my conclusion that any area subject to frequent problems should regulate what use is made of succeptable areas. Hilo, and certain other areas in Hawaii, SHOULD plan accordingly.

Note the problem area in this map of Hilo. A serious event, obviously, but NOT a reason to abandon Hilo, only a reason to limit development in some areas. Tsunamis, nasty as they are, do not require the same concept of planning that New Orleans does.

Oklahoma City, (and a few others) sit in tornado country, but is not 'likely' to be devastated by a major tornado every few years. Certain coastal cities ARE likely to have hurricane events on a semi-regular basis, with Gulfport, Charleston, Mobile, Miami, Tampa being spots where high $ events oughta to be expected and planned for....none of which match New Orleans for sheer potential for misery.

Some other cities DO have obvious susceptiblities ..Seattle is within reach of a major volcano eruption by Mt. Ranier, but it 'could' be a very long time before an event. San Francisco has its 'faults', also, and because these are large population centers, serious plans need to be made now...and those plans should include what to do AFTER any cataclysm...rebuilding, etc. Seattle would be likely to have some warning before a volcano eruption; San Francisco might get none before it gets shook up.

I'm just trying to look at all this with the most rational, unemotional view I can muster, and yeah, I know that humans don't always care about the 'safest' plan if it interferes with money nostalgia and lifestyle, but sometimes the big decisions need to be separated from those consideration - especially if the consequences go far beyond a local result.