I was born and raised in the Valley so I have personally seen the reckless development that has taken place there. For decades county officials have allowed fly by night “developers” to create “colonias” with no drainage or sewer service on land that floods every time it rains two inches in 24 hours. They got the state to pay to upgrade the colonias and now officials like Judge Salinas once again dodge responsibility and put out their hand for what they are “owed” by the government. What they are really owed is the public’s scorn for having miserably failed to adequately protect the people of the Valley through proper planning.
The problem isn’t that the federal government hasn’t repaired or maintained these levees. The problem is local government has allowed and oftentimes encouraged development in areas not naturally suited for development. WE taxpayers shouldn’t have to pick up the tab for these localities when catastrophe strikes. If you choose to live in a risk area, whether it is flood, EQ or other, you should insure your property or live with the consequences later on. I personally would rather see mandatory catastrophe insurance for everyone with rates reflecting the actual risk. Spreading the risk is what insurance is all about, isn’t it?
I, for one, applaud FEMA for planning on releasing up-to-date flood zone maps. At least now people will know whether or not they are in a potential flood zone. Many of the people in the area don’t have a mortgage so won’t be “forced” into purchasing flood insurance, but by knowing where they are in relation to flooding potential will allow them to make the decision.
Much of our community suffered major flooding forty years ago and our city has never fully recovered. Armed with the knowledge of where flood zones are will allow individuals and businesses to protect themselves.
On top of that, when so many folks in an area don’t have flood insurance all of a sudden it is the Federal government’s fault and out come the grants, from my tax dollars.
FEMA is trying to do the right thing and people are complaining that it might make it a less desirable place to live. How desirable will it be if a flood hits and few people are protected by flood insurance?
Take a look at New Orleans and you will know the answer to that question!
how would you like to live in Hidalgo, texas and have this judges rationale deciding your fate? Why should we suffer because the federal govt is not doing their job? it is not the feds who should protect us from our own stupidity. if one builds in a risky area they should assume the responsibility, not the government. when we become a communist country and the govt tells us what to do then we will look to the govt to protect us, until then, mister socialist judge Salinas, try doing your job as impartial arbitor.
Sounds as though this is another situation where the local governments want to reap the rewards of development and ignore the responsibility that comes with that decision.
Just take a look at Florida and just about every other coastal state that continues to allow questionable development along their coasts just so they can generate more tax dollars – and then moan and groan when insurance costs soar.
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I was born and raised in the Valley so I have personally seen the reckless development that has taken place there. For decades county officials have allowed fly by night “developers” to create “colonias” with no drainage or sewer service on land that floods every time it rains two inches in 24 hours. They got the state to pay to upgrade the colonias and now officials like Judge Salinas once again dodge responsibility and put out their hand for what they are “owed” by the government. What they are really owed is the public’s scorn for having miserably failed to adequately protect the people of the Valley through proper planning.
The problem isn’t that the federal government hasn’t repaired or maintained these levees. The problem is local government has allowed and oftentimes encouraged development in areas not naturally suited for development. WE taxpayers shouldn’t have to pick up the tab for these localities when catastrophe strikes. If you choose to live in a risk area, whether it is flood, EQ or other, you should insure your property or live with the consequences later on. I personally would rather see mandatory catastrophe insurance for everyone with rates reflecting the actual risk. Spreading the risk is what insurance is all about, isn’t it?
I, for one, applaud FEMA for planning on releasing up-to-date flood zone maps. At least now people will know whether or not they are in a potential flood zone. Many of the people in the area don’t have a mortgage so won’t be “forced” into purchasing flood insurance, but by knowing where they are in relation to flooding potential will allow them to make the decision.
Much of our community suffered major flooding forty years ago and our city has never fully recovered. Armed with the knowledge of where flood zones are will allow individuals and businesses to protect themselves.
On top of that, when so many folks in an area don’t have flood insurance all of a sudden it is the Federal government’s fault and out come the grants, from my tax dollars.
FEMA is trying to do the right thing and people are complaining that it might make it a less desirable place to live. How desirable will it be if a flood hits and few people are protected by flood insurance?
Take a look at New Orleans and you will know the answer to that question!
how would you like to live in Hidalgo, texas and have this judges rationale deciding your fate? Why should we suffer because the federal govt is not doing their job? it is not the feds who should protect us from our own stupidity. if one builds in a risky area they should assume the responsibility, not the government. when we become a communist country and the govt tells us what to do then we will look to the govt to protect us, until then, mister socialist judge Salinas, try doing your job as impartial arbitor.
Sounds as though this is another situation where the local governments want to reap the rewards of development and ignore the responsibility that comes with that decision.
Just take a look at Florida and just about every other coastal state that continues to allow questionable development along their coasts just so they can generate more tax dollars – and then moan and groan when insurance costs soar.