Natural Disasters

While everyone is geared up about the earthquake and Hurricane Irene hitting the east coast this weekend, I'd like to keep everyone informed about the Missouri River Flood of 2011.  I am not going to go into the history of this incident by now there is plenty on the web to look up.  The states all up and down the Missouri have done an incredible job stopping this flood from becoming the major disaster it was being predicted to be.  I've lived here in the Heartland for 16 years and have seen these people come together to solve the problem at hand while not blaming the government for the damage caused by the disaster.  Once again they did this.  We are now heading into the fall and winter around here and the Mighty Mo is starting to recede.  This disaster is not going to end when the river is back in it's banks.  Many people have lost homes, their livelihood, everything.  Looking ahead to winter anyone displaced by the flood needs better shelter then the trailer or mobile home they are living in.  Proper clothing is needed.  I'm sure a lot of these people were not thinking about grabbing winter clothes when they had to evacuate in the late spring / early summer.  While the optimists are speculating we will be back to normal soon, the realists around here know it can be at least two or three years.  Many miles of interstate highway and bridges will need inspection, rebuilding and replacing.  Many of the smaller towns and cities up and down the river need their infrastructure especially sewer and water systems inspected, fixed and possibly replaced.  Here's the kicker.  FEMA is not giving money towards this effort because they said this is a man made disaster caused by the Army Corps of Engineers mismanagement of the spring rains and winter snow melt.  We all know the economy is not doing well and in the near term is not looking any better.  I fear a lot of these smaller cities and towns will become ghost towns.  Not many people around here are keen on raising taxes and given the state we are in now I don't blame them.  The recovery from this flood has to be a joint private, non-profit and public effort run by private enterprise not the government.  If you want to help I know The Open Door Mission in Omaha is accepting donations of just about everything.  What is frustrating me now is that I do not hear about private individual or a consortium of private businesses stepping up and looking beyond the current situation.  If you guys are and I misspoke let me know.  If you read this and it has motivated you post a reply.  Just follow the rules.  That's enough for now...