More on hurricane Helene

[alarmguy]

FEMA is very effective and is doing a great job. Unfortunately they had to put up a Rumor Response Webpage to correct all the Internet rumors and flat out lies.

The masses cannot critically think. It's scary and it transpires into voting a subject we cant talk about in here.
We chose to live in areas that we know are flood and hurricane risks in the Southeast. We think it will never happen to us, when it does, many look to place blame on others. Its a horrible event that is taking place, lost lives, lost businesses, lost homes in areas well known to be flood zone areas and other areas that are not but very close to them. Its not right to ridicule the agencies who seek to help.

 

[Dave Hess]

My buddy has a place in St. Pete Beach and is in zone AE. The same FEMA coverage of $250k/$100k is $8,500/ year for him. He can’t even get homeowners insurance anymore and was paying something like $58,000 annually before he was dropped. That was on a small ~2,000 SF house. He got an inch or so of water in the house this storm, which is enough to be a giant pain in the rear.

He should sell that place ASAP and move.

Fire sale and get out !!!!!!!

Inherited property = property for sale….

 

[Donald]

I've never dealt with fema before, but one of our engineers does. I was talking to him about the hurricane that hit Puerto Rico(?) he says the reason why fema ends up working so slow is because they have to rely entirely on the local governments for where the aid is needed.

Not sure FEMA could ever do it on their own. FEMA for example stockpiles bottled water for but expects state and local government to distribute. That sounds reasonable to me.

 

[SC Maintenance]

The masses cannot critically think. It's scary and it transpires into voting a subject we cant talk about in here.

True, but FEMA perpetuates this myth that there a savior in disaster. There not. They pass out money after the fact. People have this view of FEMA riding to the rescue which is 100% untrue, and FEMA perpetuates this myth. They really just a government fund different people and orgs can get money from long after the event. Its an important role, but would they be allowed to be as large and well funded as an entity - they employ 20,000 people - if people thought of them as a government bank. I doubt it.

As for the money, FEMA would never have the money for such a large disaster. Congress will pass a special funding specifically for this disaster, like they have many times in the past, and it will be dispensed over years.

 

[Owen Lucas]

Blaming migrants for Helene disaster relief makes zero sense. 2 separate issues. This is a thread on Helene.

Using FEMA money to fund supporting a massive surge of migration (that is avoidable and preventable) makes zeros sense. What horrible emergencies are the migrants facing? They crossed the border or got free flights willingly and knowing what they were getting into.

It's everyman for himself out in NC and TN. I'm pretty sure Helene victim have something to say about this.

It is a shame that we have underfunded disaster relief but when foreign countries ask for $$$ they get it immediately. All the Helene victims get is a slow and sloppy response and the government saying "FEMA doesn't have any funds left" when border crossers are getting free housing, food, phones, and spending cash. Does that sound okay to you?

Why don't the politicians that pass laws to reduce climate change actually prepare for said climate change by adequately funding FEMA to help citizens affected by said climate change?

I understand American interests abroad must be supported but at least show the same seriousness about funding your own citizens instead of whining about funding on TV. Maybe there is more to the story, is this a ploy to embarrass opposing parties when they deny funding aid because some unrelated rider was attached to the funding bill? Who knows, theres always more to the story here. I'm basing a lot of my information here from first responders on the ground and actual independent journalists on the ground rather than msm.

At the end of the day FEMA should be poised to help Americans first.

 

[billt460]

Many Billions of Taxpayer $$$ income to Israel on a year over year plus Billions to Ukraine and other nations . I would guess we we buy our allies but the money redistributed we are told is a good thing so we believe what we are told.

I would rather pay Israel to help them keep their country, instead of paying Mexicans to come illegally to ours.

 

[JeffKeryk]

Helene is a thousand year storm. It is hard to prepare for such a thing. It is even harder for low income families to do so.
As @Owen Lucas pointed out, this is one of instance of a much larger issue, CC. Spot on.

 

[alarmguy]

True, but FEMA perpetuates this myth that there a savior in disaster. ...

I dont see it that way. I think the media and public creates that myth. Maybe that is just my way of thinking but I do not see any type of marketing from FEMA promoting they are a savior in disasters/ maybe I am missing that promoting.

 

[RDY4WAR]

I think it's ridiculous that homeowner's insurance doesn't cover flooding. Insured should mean insured. One shouldn't have to carry multiple policies and premiums for the same dwelling. I don't have flood insurance. My house is located on a high ground well away from any moving body of water, and over 100 miles inland.

What's getting more people is finding out their insurance doesn't cover hurricanes or carries a much higher deductible for hurricanes. A tree fell through a neighbor's house. They called to file a claim, thinking their deductible was $1k. Turns out if there's a hurricane, the deductible increases to 4% which for them means $16,400 deductible. This was buried in the 12 pages of fine print on their policy.

 

[JeffKeryk]

I think it's ridiculous that homeowner's insurance doesn't cover flooding. Insured should mean insured. One shouldn't have to carry multiple policies and premiums for the same dwelling. I don't have flood insurance. My house is located on a high ground well away from any moving body of water, and over 100 miles inland.

What's getting more people is finding out their insurance doesn't cover hurricanes or carries a much higher deductible for hurricanes. A tree fell through a neighbor's house. They called to file a claim, thinking their deductible was $1k. Turns out if there's a hurricane, the deductible increases to 4% which for them means $16,400 deductible. This was buried in the 12 pages of fine print on their policy.

You are assuming insurance is your friend. Insurance is in the business of making money.

 

[doitmyself]

And maybe our government should not be "wasting" money trying to send people back to the moon.

Geeze guys. Keep the political agenda out of this discussion.

 

[Owen Lucas]

Deleted.

 

[Dave Hess]

I think it's ridiculous that homeowner's insurance doesn't cover flooding. Insured should mean insured. One shouldn't have to carry multiple policies and premiums for the same dwelling. I don't have flood insurance. My house is located on a high ground well away from any moving body of water, and over 100 miles inland.

What's getting more people is finding out their insurance doesn't cover hurricanes or carries a much higher deductible for hurricanes. A tree fell through a neighbor's house. They called to file a claim, thinking their deductible was $1k. Turns out if there's a hurricane, the deductible increases to 4% which for them means $16,400 deductible. This was buried in the 12 pages of fine print on their policy.

Unfortunately the insurance industry and lobbyists control Washington.

Flood is rising water whether it’s a natural disaster, act of god or broken water pipe.
Of course they want to sell you another policy for flood insurance.

1 more year and I’m out of Florida for good.

 

[JeffKeryk]

Lets fact check the FEMA Rumors page:

"Rumor: FEMA distributes aid based on demographic characteristics.
Fact: FEMA provides assistance to survivors regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. October 4, 2024"

FACT CHECK: https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/national-preparedness/equity

“We’re turning a page at FEMA and infusing equity throughout our agency, programs, and policies to better serve people who face unique barriers before, during and after disasters.” – FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell

Sounds like they do indeed prioritize people with "unique barriers". They just contradicted themselves.


"Rumor: FEMA does not have enough money to provide disaster assistance for Helene.
Fact: FEMA has enough money right now for immediate response and recovery needs. If you were affected by Helene, do not hesitate to apply for disaster assistance as there is a variety of help available for different needs. October 3, 2024"

FACT CHECK:
"FEMA does not have the funds to make it through the season.” - Mayorkas
https://www.nationalreview.com/news...fter-agency-spent-over-a-billion-on-migrants/

The remaining rumors on the page are nuts though local law enforcement and fire departments have been power tripping over volunteers helping stranded people.



I learned in geology class years ago that it's just a bad idea to live near rivers. Makes sense 2000 years ago if you live in a teepee and need access to fish but not today with permanent structures. There's a reason many rivers have flat wide banks which is due to historical floods that went 2-3-10x times the width of the river and flattened the local topology.

Living in a hurricane zone? If your home is built like a tank, reasonably above flood surge levels, and you have the money to self insure, then the beautiful weather could be worth it. To much risk for me. As an insurance adjuster I've responded to hurricane zones with flipped mud filled cars, coffins in the streets which bubbled up from the cemeteries, dead cows everywhere, floating homes resting in the middle of the road, too risky. These people are scratching their heads "how could this happen??"

I'm like, dude, there's a levy 100ft from your house, what do you think was going to happen? I didn't actually say that though lol.

The equity component directly measures need.

 

[alarmguy]

I think it's ridiculous that homeowner's insurance doesn't cover flooding. Insured should mean insured. One shouldn't have to carry multiple policies and premiums for the same dwelling. I don't have flood insurance. My house is located on a high ground well away from any moving body of water, and over 100 miles inland.

What's getting more people is finding out their insurance doesn't cover hurricanes or carries a much higher deductible for hurricanes. A tree fell through a neighbor's house. They called to file a claim, thinking their deductible was $1k. Turns out if there's a hurricane, the deductible increases to 4% which for them means $16,400 deductible. This was buried in the 12 pages of fine print on their policy.

Oh please no!
Hey, I choose to live outside a flood and earthquake zone why should I be forced to pay more for a policy that I dont need in order to help someone else who does? I dont have flood coverage, do not want flood coverage and should not be forced to pay for it. What ever happened to personal responsibility?
I live in a free country! I am free to purchase or not to purchase. Government mandates for coverage I do not need? Huh? No thank you!

For others, if you dont read your policy that is your fault. You are buying a product, know what you are buying. I never saw fine print on Hurricane deductibles, I always found it clearly labeled or with an asterisk (but I guess anything is possible) and I have lived in hurricane land my whole life. Actually called wind damage and another for named storms.

Just talking here but this sounds like blaming someone else for poor decisions again. Which is dangerous in a society that ever increasingly relies on an official to make decisions for them.
If everyone was forced to pay flood insurance what would deter people from living in flood prone areas? and forcing those who chose not to live in dangerous areas to pay.

BTW - I lived 110 ish miles inland in South Carlina for 16 years near Lake Murray near a fault line extending down to Charleston. Significant enough that they built a back up dam at Lake Murray and completed it just over 10 years ago. Btw to give an idea, Lake Murray dam at one time was the largest earthen dam in the world. They poured one billion pounds of concrete. So the concern is real but in a free country others should not be forced to pay for where I choose to live.

I opted to not purchase earthquake insurance. Because I chose not to, I do not expect others to pick up the cost if my house cracked in half during an earthquake.

 

[Allaneddie]

We live in a hurricane prone low area and lived through a massive hurricane hitting us directly (Hugo, 1989). What I learned is this: at least for the time immediately after the storm be prepared to fend for your family and yourself and to help neighbors as needed.

 

[Pew]

So if that is true - why bother funding FEMA at all - if there perpetually ineffective - for whatever reason?

Fortunately I do not have enough experience with fema but I'm willing to bet it's 99% government red tape (usually anything federal is nothing but miles of red tape.) Nonetheless, I'd rather fund fema over some gov programs, overseas aid for one.

 

[Donald]

Let not forget that without some red tape there would be a lot more fraudulent claims with FEMA. There was a lot of fraudulent claims with the various COVID programs. And the gov is working a clawing back that money and charging people with crimes.

 

[alarmguy]

Fortunately I do not have enough experience with fema but I'm willing to bet it's 99% government red tape (usually anything federal is nothing but miles of red tape.) Nonetheless, I'd rather fund fema over some gov programs, overseas aid for one.

Honestly there are some government agencies that work. Medicare, Social Security, FEMA is some of them. Agree we waste and give away in other areas that is nuts

 

[Owen Lucas]

I think it's ridiculous that homeowner's insurance doesn't cover flooding. Insured should mean insured. One shouldn't have to carry multiple policies and premiums for the same dwelling. I don't have flood insurance. My house is located on a high ground well away from any moving body of water, and over 100 miles inland.

What's getting more people is finding out their insurance doesn't cover hurricanes or carries a much higher deductible for hurricanes. A tree fell through a neighbor's house. They called to file a claim, thinking their deductible was $1k. Turns out if there's a hurricane, the deductible increases to 4% which for them means $16,400 deductible. This was buried in the 12 pages of fine print on their policy.

This is the difficult part of being financially responsible, it requires research and understanding ones insurance policy. One can then budget for their deductibles. The vast majority of insurance policies are written on the HO1 Home Owners policy based on the standard ISO (Insurance Services Office) template. More expensive policies include more coverages and expanded definitions based on variations of the HO1 ISO template but these policies have never included flood insurance.

If flood insurance was included in everyone's policies then rates would be much much higher. This probably has to do with flood damage being way more expensive underwriting wise than other losses especially for those living in flood prone areas, it's not if but when.

The equity component directly measures need.

Doesn't everyone in a hurricane disaster area need the same help? For the disabled and and those on life support equipment, sure that makes sense, prioritize them.