Originally Posted by KSig RC (Post 1669884)

I think that's the very reason why no one has suggested doing anything at all with 100- or 500-year floodplains (and really, the reason why we label them as such) - it's unpredictable and sometimes will go completely apeshit. No one is saying to clear out the 500-year floodplain, just the areas that are consistently in danger and would be cost-effective to purchase.



At least from what I've seen and read, anyone who takes that tone is likely being disingenuous based on a preconceived agenda. The WV Representative that blamed this on Bush did so with absolutely no understanding of the situation.

I haven't heard a single person involved claim that governmental agencies did anything wrong, which is the most telling part. Unless further information comes to light, you have to simply think this was a once-in-500-years occurrence, and you can't plan for that sort of thing.

Originally Posted by UGAalum94 (Post 1669856)

But when you talk about stuff in the 100 year or 500 year flood plain, should the govt. buy that too? How much farm land would that involve that would make sense NOT to plant most years? I know nobody suggested that, but I just don't think we'll ever get to the level when we can completely anticipate and negate the relatively awesome power of natural forces.

Originally Posted by UGAalum94 (Post 1669902)

On a slightly different note, what's going to happen with the flooding hits the Mississippi outside of New Orleans. Is the river delta down there just so big we can assume it's going to be okay?

Originally Posted by UGAalum94 (Post 1670319)

I wanted to make clear that I wasn't really advocating for a massive buyout. My point was more about the limits of what governments can do to protect us from nature. Sorry for not bring clear.

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid (Post 1670416)

Ok...so one of my co workers was ranting about the news is 'unfairly' covering this because you don't hear any reports of looting or robbing...

I sat her down and kindly showed her some of the pics you guys...


With all that water....there is nothing worth stealing....unless you got scuba gear...give it a rest

ETA: Midwest residents unsettled by FEMA

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080619/...s_no_insurance

Originally Posted by Thetagirl218 (Post 1670561)

Where is FEMA in all this?

Originally Posted by TexasWSP (Post 1670571)

With George Bush creating more hurricanes in his secret lab.

Originally Posted by TexasWSP (Post 1670571)

With George Bush creating more hurricanes in his secret lab.

Originally Posted by Thetagirl218 (Post 1670561)

Where is FEMA in all this?

Originally Posted by TexasWSP (Post 1670571)

With George Bush creating more hurricanes in his secret lab.

Originally Posted by ISUKappa (Post 1670653)

FEMA has been in the area since the end of last week. There's not much they can do right now because the housings/buildings all need to be inspected before they can decide what to do with them and then homeowners need to meet with their insurance agents (at least that's what I gather from the news reports). With at least 3,500 houses impacted in Cedar Rapids alone, it's going to take some time.

I drove through the downtown area on the way to a minor league baseball game last night and it was just depressing seeing all the furniture and drywall and crap that is being loaded up on the curb for removal and all the houses that were marked uninhabitable. And the smell is horrendous. CR is already known as the city of five smells;this trumps them all.

Originally Posted by ISUKappa (Post 1670653)

CR is already known as the city of five smells;this trumps them all.

Originally Posted by PeppyGPhiB (Post 1670943)

I may regret asking this, but what are the five smells?