The state has found many problems with the engineering of the dike, arounf Lake Okeechobee, by the Amry Corps. A report released by state consultants stated that the "leak-prone dike around Lake Okeechobee" is considered a "grave and imminent danger." The Herbert Hoover Dike is talked about by consultants to be similar to the "levees that failed in New Orleans." Flooding would be catastrophic if a 'major' hurricane directly hit Lake Okeechobee.
I think that Florida is looking at a potential Katrina like disaster of nothing is done about the poorly engineered dike around Lake Okeechobee. This time around, something can be done by the government before it happens.
Heres the link........
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Matthew, the problem with your statement is that it isn't exactly correct. There are some of the areas around the lake that are below sea level, or at least close enough to sea level (less that 10 meters) that flooding would be a major issue. You can see a NASA visual here. Even if the water weren't going to stay and it were going to go to the ocean, it would have to get there by flooding through populated areas.
And if you read the article Alex links to in detail, you'll see that the dikes were put there because we've already had a Katrina-like disaster because of the flooding of the Lake. 2500 people were killed in a 1928 hurricane that overflowed the lake into Belle Glade.
You are stating that like if something is above sea level that automatically makes it safe, when, in reality, the difference in elevation between New Orleans and the areas around Lake O. are minimal, probably less than 30 feet in most places. The slightly higher elevation is only likely to make a slight difference in the outcome of the flooding. And since the lake is farther away from the gulf or ocean, the process could take longer. 2500 people died in the 1928 flooding, which may be more than died in New Orleans (we don't have an exact number yet). Do I think we'll see the same kind of thing? No. Is it possible. Yes. Hopefully people are taking this seriously enough that it can be prevented.
The overall population is not that important, as long as there are large numbers. You could easily have a smaller population hit an area and kill more people depending on the circumstances.
While it is true that the land is higher, it isn't that much higher. And the lake is farther away from the ocean. The water has to drain and it will do so across land, but it will take much longer. Also, for it to drain fast, there would have to be a significant slope, and most of the land around the lake is no more than 10 feet above sea level, not really much slope at all.
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