After the floodwaters go down:
The raw truth is that the fate of Mississippi river cities lies in the bottom line. For both residents and officials, money is the evil that ails. Inhabitants devastated by the unexpected deluge stand amid their submerged homes and livelihood, defenseless and often destitute. Though there is merit in the argument that residents should prepare for the proverbial rainy day, many riverside dwellers, such as those in Gulfport, Illinois, are not required or advised to purchase flood insurance. They were also encouraged to build in a floodplain, assured that the levee would protect them from raging waters. It is common for locals and officials to resist pushing flood insurance out of fear that it will hurt economic development. Many simply cannot afford the financial burden of flood insurance. Moreover, they cannot afford to tuck money away in savings or move to higher ground.
Restoring River Cities
Immediate reparation tactics include an allotted $4 billion in federal aid to repair roads, rail lines, and inundated homes and businesses. Into the bargain, The Army Corps of Engineers will begin mending levees with proposed completion date of November 2008. Though necessary, this course of action is sufficient only for the short-term. Levees are vulnerable to erosion, faults in foundation, and seepage under the soil, which causes the pipes to fail. Exploring faults in design is a temporary solution as well. Climate and soil changes along with continued construction have a huge impact of levee effectiveness. When levees are over-topped, flooding is significantly worse, causing several times the damage. Restoration of communities along the Mississippi in the aftermath of this calamity will be an extensive and complex process.
Man is no match for Mother Nature. With nowhere to go but up, the incredibly shrinking Mississippi demands attention. Levees, wing dikes, and other navigational structures created to prevent flooding are in fact increasing flood stages. In 1975, Professor Charles Belt warned officials against further construction. Unfortunately, his comments were attacked and ultimately ignored. Cities often oppose curbing development even for the sake of flood risk. This short-sited favor of commerce is dangerous and costly. Until we all grow gills and learn to breathe underwater, building is futile. If cities refuse to curtail expansion, they risk being "decertified", thus increasing already high flood insurance premiums for residents, not to mention endangering lives.
The capitalist mindset advocates a policy of "if it ain't broke don't fix it". This elementary attitude has once again proven unsuccessful. As the waters continue to rise and flow downstream, destroying homes, crops, and lives, the solution is clear. Non-commercial regional development is vital in preventing further detriment. Now is the time to enlist the aid of geologists and geoscientists to research the cumulative effects man-made structures and climate changes have on flood stages. Constructive agricultural conservation strategies should be developed, starting with funding for the development of wetlands. Flood plains and winding streams will allow the river a route to drainage, essential to adequate flow and health of the river. The development of wetlands allows the water to evaporate before it can accumulate.
Weighing the cost
Intervention and debate over resolution fails to detract from those devastated in the wake of this catastrophe, the people. Thousands of waterside residents continue to seek refuge as the over-flowing Mississippi forces them from their homes. The health risk of potentially toxic water is frightening to locals, but not as scary as the prospect of losing everything. Many homeowners have elected to try to salvage what they can of their belongings and memories. Officials and natives hope that the amount of water washes out the pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, and other toxins floating in the river. Ninety-seven shelters have been established by The American Red Cross who through donations, continues working relentlessly to provide shelter, food, and essentials to those in need. In addition, State officials are allowing victims to camp in state parks. Donations are desperately needed, as aid cannot come fast enough. Those concerned can contribute time and skills, supplies, and money by visiting www.nvoad.org, website for the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster.
Economic growth is necessary to modern society. However, we go too far, valuing commerce over priceless commodities like safety and humanity. Implore officials to consider the reason in decisions that affect our nation. In the last two decades, billions of dollars have been spent cleaning-up after flood crisis along the Mississippi. For the sake of impact on communities and the labor of those who bend their backs and get their hands dirty to restore, an amount equal to the cost we reap would be better spent on what we sew.