The highest point in New Orleans (excluding buildings) is 6 feet above seal level.
When building in NC, we were required to locate the first floor above the flood plain. We built many houses, on phone pole length pilings, concreted into place. I could not believe the number of MS, AL, LA houses built on slabs, next to the beach... They were begging for destruction.
But, they will get the gum't money to get back down there...