WAS THE HOUSTON DISASTER MAN-MADE?

Powerlineblog ^ | 08/29/2017 | John Hinderaker

[DFG]

Hurricane Harvey wasn’t man-made, obviously, but the scale of the destruction was, in large part, an unintended consequence of government policy. Michael Grunwald reports at Politico: “How Washington Made Harvey Worse.”

Nearly two decades before the storm’s historic assault on homes and businesses along the Gulf Coast of Texas this week, the National Wildlife Federation released a groundbreaking report about the United States government’s dysfunctional flood insurance program, demonstrating how it was making catastrophes worse by encouraging Americans to build and rebuild in flood-prone areas. The report, titled “Higher Ground,” crunched federal data to show that just 2 percent of the program’s insured properties were receiving 40 percent of its damage claims. The most egregious example was a home that had flooded 16 times in 18 years, netting its owners more than $800,000 even though it was valued at less than $115,000.

[Thibodeaux]

I thought there was no flood insurance within the 50 year flood zone

Only fools live within the 50 year flood zone

[DoughtyOne]

The most egregious example was a home that had flooded 16 times in 18 years, netting its owners more than $800,000 even though it was valued at less than $115,000.

Ouch!

[Fiddlstix]

Bump
To Read Later

[dangus]

Unfathomably stupid. Most people in flood-prone areas don’t even have insurance, so how could they be moving there because of the insurance.

Besides, where could 50 inches of rain fall WITHOUT causing terrible damage? If the ground weren’t so flat, what would happen in the valleys?

[ETL]

[353FMG]

Man-made?

Could it have been Trump? /s

[DoughtyOne]

It doesn’t happen inland. That’s the point.

Folks shouldn’t live in low areas that are prone to hurricanes.

[Vermont Lt]

Part of the issue with this and Katrina as well: Areas are flooding that have never flooded in recorded history. Think about that. If you are a bank, you would not make a person buy insurance for something that is statistically not probable.

Until it is.

[alloysteel]

The huge flood plain that Houston is sited upon, is the price you pay for being a port city. If ships can enter the canal at sea level and proceed all the way to the Houston dockside, with no locks and with sufficient dredge depth so seagoing container ships can come right up the docks, then there is not really a lot of fall from WAY inland.

[ETL]

[ETL]

[Seruzawa]

Many cities have their councils loaded with developers. These press for zoning approval in places that should never be built upon. This is good old garden variety greed and is as old as humanity.

[TADSLOS]

Let's ask the man in the know.

[Fai Mao]

“The huge flood plain that Houston is sited upon, is the price you pay for being a port city. If ships can enter the canal at sea level and proceed all the way to the Houston dockside, with no locks and with sufficient dredge depth so seagoing container ships can come right up the docks, then there is not really a lot of fall from WAY inland.”
_____________________

I used to ride the Katy Flatland 100 bike ride that raises money for some charity. The highest point on the ride was a bridge over the interstate.

Yeah Houston is that flat.

[heylady]

I Am The Lion
Song by Neil Diamond
Lyrics
There was a flood and many poor men were killed.
And that is why our house is built on the top of a hill.
The plains are like a friend, why can’t we live on them?
And if a flood should come, why can’t we run?…

Uh, Harvey

[\/\/ayne]

I remember John Stossel did a show and said the government paid for his flooded house. He looks at the camera and says “Thanks!”

[Rebelbase]

“The most egregious example was a home that had flooded 16 times in 18 years, netting its owners more than $800,000 even though it was valued at less than $115,000.”

“Honey, we’re gonna need a new car next year”

‘pray for rain, dear’

[KingofZion]

Personally I blame global warming, which is responsible for all adverse weather, earthquakes, income inequality... /sarc

[Hot Tabasco]

Most people in flood-prone areas don’t even have insurance,

Not true, homeowners who take out a mortgage from a lender that is federally regulated or insured (such as an FHA mortgage) and buy a home in a high-risk flood zone (also known as a Special Flood Hazard Area) will be required to buy flood insurance. In most cases, the homeowner will have to pay for flood insurance every year until the mortgage is paid off.