Just a reminder that the Diva maintains another website called Disastersandfaith.wordpress.com. One of the best models for a major urban area is the New York City Disaster Interfaith Network. See their tip sheets and recovery advice for houses of worship.
FL May Soon Face a Big Test of Its New Building Codes…..
How Will Florida’s New Building Codes Weather Hurricane Season? This year Florida lawmakers changed the way the state building codes are updated. There are concerns the new law could weaken the integrity of Florida homes, in order to cut construction costs. In the wake of Harvey, those concerns are taking on a new significance.
Houston Needs a Hand
*** the challenge facing Houston now is even more daunting. One estimate reported in The Houston Chronicle set the cost of the damage at $160 billion, making this the most expensive natural disaster in the history of the United States. Even a city with as many wealthy citizens as Houston cannot come up with that kind of money from private donations.Which brings me to the subject of government, or rather, the lack of it. Texans in general have never liked it much, and the unruly, unzoned, entrepreneurial residents of Houston have only recently — that is, pre-Harvey — begun to tiptoe toward changing their stance. Tax-funded safety nets for the less fortunate, for instance, have historically generated about as much affection here as, well, flood-borne floating fire-ant beds
From the WashPost, Before the Flood, and After. Feature story by David Conrad and Larry Larson.
The Diva has known Larry Larson for many years and has great respect for his work. He was Executive Director of the Association of State Flood Plain Managers for many years.
On Sept. 5, the NY Times published a related article.
From the ScienceCorps organization, this 28 page handbook titled Chemical Hazards in Floods and Disasters.
Regarding environment hazards in general, the Wall St. Journal noted: Houston’s Environmental Threats Come Into Focus. As Harvey’s flooding recedes, risk of toxic pollutants tests health inspectors
From the NYTimes: In Texas, Distrust of Washington Collides With Need for Federal Aid.
As a taxpayer I am conflicted also – note that the article mentions that the state has a sizeable rainy day fund, but does not intend to spend it on hurricane relief and recovery. Here is the exact quote:
Texas has its own “rainy day fund” estimated at $10 billion, but Mr. Abbott said on Friday that he had no plans to call a special legislative session, which would be required to tap the fund
From NPR, the former Director of FEMA talks about what the agency actually can do: FEMA’s Role in Responding to Disasters
After Harvey, it’s clear the secret of Houston’s success has also been its downfall.
Houston feels like one of the last places where it’s still possible to attain the American Dream. But is the city’s structure is as resilient as its character?
Latinos rebuilt New Orleans after Katrina. Who will rebuild Houston? One of the salient features of New Orleans’ revival after Hurricane Katrina was an historic influx of Latino workers. In the Trump era, things may be different.
How Washington lobbyists fought flood insurance reform. They have already maneuvered to slow lawmakers’ efforts to overhaul the National Flood Insurance Program and protect their industries’ profits.
Recovery Diva 