First of all, there were many people who initially thought NOLA had dodged a bullet. The fact that you don't know that shows just how poorly you follow the news. Second, insurance companies don't cover flood damage. A federal program does. So insurance companies are not facing a lot of liability here - from your own article, of the $15 billion in damage from Irene, insurance companies paid $5 billion.
But seriously, only a complete clueless idiot would belittle the Jersey Shore getting flooded and the widespread impact on the lives of those who live and work there that such represents.
And third, just how is being realistic about what happened helping Obama? If anything, a jerk like you posting on a conservative website makes us look bad.
Second, insurance companies don't cover flood damage. A federal program does.
Wrong, there is flood insurance for those who buy the insurance. Every property owner knows if they are in a flood plain and the insurance is offered to them. The problem again is those who don't buy the insurance or have accepted the risk but now want to shift the risk to others. The other problem is the govt taking a non market approach to make us obligated to them.
The last go around the govt bought out a lot of properties that were in a flood plain. Now in my area, they haul in 3 feet of dirt to build on the flood plan and cause that water to flood other properties.