Posted on 07/28/2009 8:51:32 AM PDT by Malone LaVeigh
People who have to be plucked from rooftops or flooded houses during the next bad storm might end up getting a bill from their rescuers.
Under regulations passed without much notice during this year’s legislative session, people who refuse to evacuate and put themselves in danger are liable for whatever it costs to rescue them.
The legislation also gives county judges and mayors who order a mandatory evacuation the authority to compel residents to leave.
(Excerpt) Read more at galvestondailynews.com ...
“It’s largely symbolic, and it sends a strong message,” he said. “I’m an advocate for early evacuation, but I don’t see how in the world we could enforce it.”
People get real crazy when one of these storms approaches. Trying to enforce an evacuation on someone who really doesn't want to go is going to get someone shot eventually.
They should have done this Katrina
My own opinion: I don’t think someone should be forced by the government from their homes. If they choose to stay, let them stay. If they wimp out in the middle, and call for rescue, bill them for the entire cost, plus hazardous duty upcharges. Can’t have it both ways.
You either go when they ask, or stay for the long haul on your own.
Trying to enforce an evacuation on someone who really doesn't want to go is going to get someone shot eventually.
Well first of all, since this is Galveston, let's not minimize the actual danger by calling it a "bad storm" when it's actually a HURRICANE.
Secondly, if people are too stupid to comply with a mandatroy evacuation, I doubt if anybody is going to actually force them to leave.
As near as I can tell, all this does is allow rescuers to send the idiots a bill after they have to risk their own lives to save those morons.
Sounds fair to me.
Fine them if they want to stay and have to be rescued. That is what they do when someone drives into a low spot covered with water and gets their car swept downstream. The people that drive around the barriers, I would give them jail time as well for putting the rescuers at risk.
Lived in three states with flash flooding problems on some roads and the same roads always floor and some moron always tries to cross the low water crossing around the barriers. There is a large stake telling you the height on some of the low water crossings and yet the morons still cross.
If you are dumb enough to ride it out in your home when you have been told to evacuate, then you are on your own. No way would I send rescuers out until the storm had fully cleared and only then when it is safe. I have watched some of those rescues and it is wrong to expect anyone to put their life on the line for stupidity of people.
Would love to be the one to tell Geraldo — you are on your own. They need to ban people like him as well.
I agree with this bill. No one should be forced to leave their home (although I’m torn on the children who don’t have a ‘choice), but if you need to be rescued because you didn’t leave, you should pay for it.
Was I the only one who got a little glee watching him get tipped over by the water? God forgive me.
If we’re going to have a “comparative effectiveness” panel to decide if paying for healthcare makes financial sense, then why do we also not do the same for search and rescue? After all, if it isn’t worth $50K to save someone through a medical procedure, why is it worth it for S&R?
Further, if the rescuee can be billed for his rescue then why can’t we bill the patient for procedures the government thinks are too expensive?
I agree with charging people for rescue if they ignore forced evacuations — so long as you give them the right to refuse rescue.
If I don’t WANT to be taken from my rooftop, you should not be allowed to take me by force and then CHARGE me for it.
Under this law, it appears any small town mayor has the power to evacuate and quarantine his town or sections of his town by simply declaring an ‘emergancy.
I couldn’t quit laughing myself!
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