Title

Returning to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina

Author(s)

Christina Paxson Christina Paxson (Princeton University)

Cecilia Rouse Cecilia Rouse (Princeton University)

Abstract

We examine the determinants of returning to New Orleans within 18 months of Hurricane Katrina. Our theoretical framework predicts the probability of returning is positively associated with less hurricane damage and greater pre-hurricane levels of location-specific capital. We test these implications using data from a study of low-income parents, mainly African American women. We find that flood exposure is the most important factor in determining the decision to return. Among those who did not experience flooding, those who did not own homes or lived in the homes of relatives or friends were less likely to return.

Creation Date

2008-01

Section URL ID

CEPS

Paper Number

168

URL

https://gceps.princeton.edu/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/168rouse.pdf

File Function

Jel

Q54

Keyword(s)

New Orleans, Hurricane Katrina, Louisiana, United States

Suppress

false

Series

3