Every freakin' year

[akdiver 3]

Yes, and if the city were being leveled every year by earthquakes, I don't think anyone would be living here.

The last CA city to get leveled by a quake was SF in 1906, otherwise the last real damaging quake here was in 1989 (which I was here for), which didn't level cities, but terribly built infrastructure or weak roads/bridges, and caused, as usual for quakes, mudslides all over the rural roads and freeways that go through the mountainous regions (like the 17). Nothing even remotely comparable to New Orleans or even Florida disasters that displace millions.

I was using leveled in a colloquial sense. Substitute in, "damage causing $10B+"

Just look at the cost estimates for the damage caused by Gulf Coast hurricanes over the past 20 years.

Then look at cost estimates for damage caused by earthquakes in Alaska over the past 20 years.

Or the damage caused by this water problem in NJ over the past 20 years.

Now look at the frequency of the problem....

It seems pretty clear to me.

Edited September 11, 2008 by akdiver

[MissStacey 1]

Before Katrina- the last big hurricane here that did some major damage was Betsy in 1965. No one expected another hurricane to hit like Gustav did only 3 years after Katrina.

Oh come on. Lots of hurricanes have done lots of damage. Hurricane Andrew comes to mind.

Think about it this way - if your house was getting destroyed constantly by weather issues and you had to pay the costs to replace it every time, 100% out of your own pocket, would you keep doing so? The answer is NO. So why should the federal government essentially do the same?

And in case you forgot, Alaska (your state) has just as many quakes, especially on large scale, that California does.

Actually, Alaska has many more...some 600 per month.

I am not disputing the fact there have been many hurricanes that have done damage. I was only referring to the major devastating ones in New Orleans.

My husband is very lucky- for Katrina all he had was a few shingles on the roof to replace and a fence to push back upright. Many people on this street lived in FEMA trailers in their front yard while their homes were being redone. My husband and a few of our neighbors are on just enough of a hill that prevented any flooding. For Gustav all we had to deal with was a messy yard, and a fridge and freezer to clean out.

[IAMX 3,055]

Yes, and if the city were being leveled every year by earthquakes, I don't think anyone would be living here.

The last CA city to get leveled by a quake was SF in 1906, otherwise the last real damaging quake here was in 1989 (which I was here for), which didn't level cities, but terribly built infrastructure or weak roads/bridges, and caused, as usual for quakes, mudslides all over the rural roads and freeways that go through the mountainous regions (like the 17). Nothing even remotely comparable to New Orleans or even Florida disasters that displace millions.

I was using leveled in a colloquial sense. Substitute in, "damage causing $10B+"

Just look at the cost estimates for the damage caused by Gulf Coast hurricanes over the past 20 years.

Then look at cost estimates for damage caused by earthquakes in Alaska over the past 20 years.

Or the damage caused by this water problem in NJ over the past 20 years.

Now look at the frequency of the problem....

It seems pretty clear to me.

You're also comparing a place that has a fraction of infrastructure and population to an area that's extremely dense with both -- polar opposites.

[Ban Hammer 13,337]

We need to get those midwesterners out of tornado alley!

actually, the tornadoes themselves are nowhere near as devastating as a hurricane, which has tornadoes with it.

Edited September 11, 2008 by charles!

[akdiver 3]

You're also comparing a place that has a fraction of infrastructure and population to an area that's extremely dense with both -- polar opposites.

Exactly. Time to spread that infrastructure around, rather than keep rebuilding it in a place where it is getting frequently destroyed.

[Otto 83]

You're also comparing a place that has a fraction of infrastructure and population to an area that's extremely dense with both -- polar opposites.

Exactly. Time to spread that infrastructure around, rather than keep rebuilding it in a place where it is getting frequently destroyed.

And just how would you propose the government go about this 'plan?' What is the criteria? etc...

[akdiver 3]

You're also comparing a place that has a fraction of infrastructure and population to an area that's extremely dense with both -- polar opposites.

Exactly. Time to spread that infrastructure around, rather than keep rebuilding it in a place where it is getting frequently destroyed.

And just how would you propose the government go about this 'plan?' What is the criteria? etc...

Pass all title of "federal land" other than that in D.C. back to the state in which that land resides. Require federal government to lease the land it wants from the states, at a reasonable rate. Repeal the 16th amendment. Implement a national sales tax. Pass that money back to the states via a revenue sharing plan, much like how Canada and the NFL do it. States can spend that money however they want - rebuilding after hurricanes, schools, condoms, health care, whatever it is that state wants. Remove the role of the federal government in determining HOW money is spent - pass that control back to the states where it belongs. Edited September 11, 2008 by akdiver

[amiquechu 0]

Don't forget about the potential for a tsunami hitting the west coast. No building within, what, a couple miles of the coast from now on?

[Ban Hammer 13,337]

Don't forget about the potential for a tsunami hitting the west coast. No building within, what, a couple miles of the coast from now on?

true urban renewal.

[jundp 191]

Before Katrina- the last big hurricane here that did some major damage was Betsy in 1965. No one expected another hurricane to hit like Gustav did only 3 years after Katrina.

Yep. I lived in the Gulf Coast area for the majority of my life and my family has been there since the 1700s. The only time we ever got any "government money" was after Katrina when my sister received a little help (less than $500) because her house was destroyed.

The only bad damage we ever got after Betsy and before Katrina was some wind damage and yard flooding from Georges (I think...1997?)

I live in the shadow of a 14,000 foot tall volcano. Should I move?

[PlatyPius 5]

This thread isn't about what I thought it was going to be about....

There's something else that happens every freaking year around this time.

[Otto 83]

This thread isn't about what I thought it was going to be about....

There's something else that happens every freaking year around this time.

An early halloween thread perhaps?

[Ban Hammer 13,337]

This thread isn't about what I thought it was going to be about....

There's something else that happens every freaking year around this time.

you get suspended?

[Scott & Lai 12]

The last CA city to get leveled by a quake was SF in 1906, otherwise the last real damaging quake here was in 1989 (which I was here for), which didn't level cities, but terribly built infrastructure or weak roads/bridges, and caused, as usual for quakes, mudslides all over the rural roads and freeways that go through the mountainous regions (like the 17).

So, the Northridge quake in 1994 was just a minor hiccup?

[S and S 12]

You're also comparing a place that has a fraction of infrastructure and population to an area that's extremely dense with both -- polar opposites.

Exactly. Time to spread that infrastructure around, rather than keep rebuilding it in a place where it is getting frequently destroyed.

And just how would you propose the government go about this 'plan?' What is the criteria? etc...

Pass all title of "federal land" other than that in D.C. back to the state in which that land resides. Require federal government to lease the land it wants from the states, at a reasonable rate. Repeal the 16th amendment. Implement a national sales tax. Pass that money back to the states via a revenue sharing plan, much like how Canada and the NFL do it. States can spend that money however they want - rebuilding after hurricanes, schools, condoms, health care, whatever it is that state wants. Remove the role of the federal government in determining HOW money is spent - pass that control back to the states where it belongs.

Oddly enough, I have to agree with you about letting the states handle their own natural disasters. This has been bothering me for a long time. I am all for donating goods to help those who suffer in them. I am all for helping them by any voluntary actions, but the states are better off handling their own problems and the federal government staying out of it. Besides, with all the middle men and people up top, not much money seems to actually reach the people. Maybe if you cut out a level or two, more could reach those who need it.