Fixing FEMA

FEMA's roots were with the Flood Insurance Program (FIP). The FIP didn't help communities. It also was intended for one time relieve. The President would declare a Federal disaster requested by a State Governor. This onetime event should apply to any disaster.

Reoccurring events are north east snow storms, mid-west flooding, west coast fires, west coast earthquakes, tornados, and hurricanes. Many communities have had multiple hits of the same type disaster. Why should the rest of the nation pay to help them again?

A southern Indiana town called English was prone to flooding. After a particularly bad flood the decision was made to move the town. It was moved about a mile from its old location to high ground.

I am particularly incensed about New Orleans. The devastation there a few years ago was because money scheduled for flood protection was diverted to social causes like midnight basketball. Many of those politicians diverting the funds are still being elected and not held responsible.

Twice last century San Francisco area communities suffered devastating earth quakes. Both times National resources and funds were used to rebuild the communities. What did the rest of the nation get? Nancy Pelosi.

Once is enough. And even then it should be limited to Federal interest, i.e. Federal government buildings and installations. It may seem harsh but if they can't fully rebuild, they probably shouldn't since as history shows, it will happen again.

If I was rebuilding New Orleans, I would be creating a lake on the west to match Pontchartrain on the east. The removed earth would be used to raise New Orleans and provide suitable site drainage. Of course this makes sense and would never be allowed because of digging up wetlands.

Let the communities decide how to protect and use resources. There are enough square miles of wetland in Louisiana that a 1% loss would not be noticed.