After the state rejected the construction of another hard structure, park officials, working with environmentalists, came up with a Plan B: Move gas, water and sewer lines out of the risk zone.

MSN: Stay or go? Communities are eyeing a retreat from sea

And Oregon has a weak social structure, with many recent immigrants who lack the family and community ties to weather hard times.

ECONOMIST: And, despite ever-expanding waistlines, it is not alone