Often I rail about the mounting number of federal requirements and mandates (funded or not) regarding disasters. But today, I am wondering why more of the guidance and requirements for mitigation have not taken hold in OK.
For example, when a governor signs a disaster declaration agreement with the federal government, he/she pledges to take mitigation actions regarding the disaster agent that just caused the destruction. So if federal money, collected from us taxpayers, is going into Moore, OK, for at least the 3rd time in 14 years, wouldn’t it be smart and economic to have some of go for mitigative measures to reduce the fatalities and costs of the next disaster?
And while TV viewers are horrified at yet another disaster affecting elementary school children, shouldn’t more be done about the construction of schools and making provisions for sheltering? Last night on NPR, Judy Woodruff interviewed the Governor of OK and pressed very hard from an answer. The Governor waffled and said something about the extra cost. Yet $2B. or more of damages just occurred!!!! And the two Senators from OK are no help at all. Perhaps the federal government should grant their wish and provide no federal assistance!!!
I surely have reached my tipping point with this event. I am beginning to think federal assistance money should have more requirement for states attached to them.
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I am not the only one wondering about these things. Here is some commentary from an economist on the topic: Real World Economics: Government responses to disasters raise economic questions. May 23.
Update on May 24: article in Wash. Post titled Tornado Alley needs shelter from the storms.
Recovery Diva 
I’m on your side Diva. News reports said a SAFE room would add about $4000 – $8000 if I recal correctly to the cost of a home. This report also said that was too much money. I thought – hum $8000 for my family’s life when my home probably cost $150K. I haven’t done the math yet but $8K amortized over 30 years I bet comes out to about the cost of a family meal at Ruby Tuesday’s once a month. Plus, maybe the government will pay for it.
I have seen a variety of estimates, and probably if the safe room is part of new construction it may cost less. Some excellent details about safe room options and their costs are on the site: http://www.nhma.info
From Bill Cumming:
In my opinion, the states of OK and IA always do a good job of talking the talk with FEMA on mitigation, but not walking the walk.
Claire,
We agree in broad, very much.
That said, understand that building to 200 mph wind standards would be prohibitively expensive–you just cannot reasonably prevent structural damage from occurring without take extreme measures.
As for the saving of lives re the schools, this morning the city manager of Moore was on NPR. He expressed some doubt that city council would pass an ordinance requiring home shelters to be built in all new residential construction. He also commented that while we cannot put a value on a human life, the cost of retrofitting the two schools was extremely high–a cost the city council did not elect to incur. There is a reason OK sends two very, very conservative senators to Washington that reflects the political culture of the state.
The issue here of federal aid remains. Precedents have been set. While humanitarian aid should be inviolate, assistance in other areas is a political issue that will have to be addressed at the national, not the local level. How this gets done is a large question. Or better, if it is even addressed.
Arthur A (Andy) Felts
Professor of Political Science
College of Charleston
Researcher, Community and Regional Resilience Institute