My brother-in-law is Al Adomite, an Alderman in our hometown of Troy, which is down in the Metro-East section of Illinois, about 20 miles from St. Louis. The severe weather that hammered St. Louis earlier this week didn't impact Troy much, but they did have significant damage from a tornado yesterday morning.
You can see pictures of the devastation on his blog, here.
I sure hope not a nickel is spent of federal money down there.
If you want to live in tornado alley, you have to take the risks.
"I sure hope not a nickel is spent of federal money down there.
If you want to live in tornado alley, you have to take the risks."
I'm assuming that's sarcasm, since we all live in Tornado Alley here in Champaign County, as well.
I actually just got back from the Metro East; we visited my folks in Fairview Heights for the weekend. The entire area has been affected: power outages for half a million customers, and a boil order for at least two entire counties. Lots and lots of branches down everywhere. And no cable; it's out, too.
St. Louis is going nuts. Not only was it the worst series of storms in the metro area in fifty years, but this is basically the worst combination of problems they've had in a century. Seems like it's just one thing after another the past four days. One of the local tv guys was joking about expecting locusts next...
Kevin, I hope all is well with your family and that things get back to normal soon. My wife's sister lives in Alton.
Federal funding has always been used to clean up National disaster's why wouldn't it be now?
"Federal funding has always been used to clean up National disaster's why wouldn't it be now?"
False.
Federal funding has not always been used to clean up natural disasters. This is a relatively new phenomenon, which is just another attempt by Federal elected officials to win votes in affected areas using tax dollars. It's just another version of pork, and just as wasteful as the regular version.
As an example, I don't believe that the 1996 tornado that devastated Ogden resulted in any Federal aid whatsoever.
actually, I thought Ogden did get a chunk of "aid money" (maybe it wasn't federal??) and the governing body had to get together to figure out how to spend it all
any locals reading that can provide some insights?
I think that Ogden got some state money to rebuild their library and add a community center after the tornado, but beyond that, I'm not sure. I know that a number of homeowners had a devil of a time getting their insurance companies to make good.
"and add a community center"
that was kind of my recollection - they got more money than they needed for "repairs"
Federal funding was received in 1996 by Urbana and Ogden after the tornados. Where in the world have you people been, if you think ferderal disaster monies is Pork. No one can be totally responsible and or prepared for the coct incured in a major disaster.
Details, please. How much and what type? I wasn't in the area at the time, but I'd been told otherwise.
"No one can be totally responsible and or prepared for the coct incured in a major disaster."
I think "disaster money" should be a state, not federal concern. Florida hurricanes, Cali earthquakes, Illinois tornados - more power local, less in Washington.
the major problem is insurance companies, I hold them far below the cable company which when seeing the bill makes me equate them with the devil. Katrina victims in mississippi are being told it was flood, not winds that were over 120 mph, when officials saw the winds, I think we need an insurance oversight group like utilities.