Comments on: Flood First Sandbags Second

By: Long John

Long John — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 17:07:07 +0000

Today the Big Green Movement is having a special ritual in cities around the world where everybody turns off all the lights and computers. For the Earth, of course.

They don’t have to stop driving, however. I wonder if there will be many accidents when motorists off their headlights.

They will be doing for an hour a year, what orthodox Jews do for a whole day every week. Isn’t it because of one of the 10 Commandments?

By: Gordon

Gordon — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 03:43:00 +0000

Yeah, why should the city and/or county help with sandbags?
Well, for one thing, our officials are good at sandbagging.
For another, while I agree that folks who build or buy houses on an island or right on the river bank probably oughta be washed away, lots of places now are subject to flooding that wouldn’t be if the city and county hadn’t permitted lots of changes in the foothills and elsewhere that changed the flow.

As for homeowners being entirely responsible for their own safety — well, I’m kinda glad various cities, counties etc. have fire departments, police officers, HAZMAT teams etc. that will help people protect themselves and their homes.

Heck, if the — er, whoever our expected invaders are, now that the USSR is kaput — invade us, I reckon I’d be glad we have an Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, National Guard, Air National Guard, the various Reserves, etc., to turn the flood of baddies before they get to my house — and yours.

Water floods, wildfires, earthquakes, tornadoes and whatever can threaten anyone, and it’s not too surprising that even those of us who feel we should protect our own homes and families are mighty glad to have the help of these various government services when the danger gets close to home.
Oh, and we do pay for them, you know, whether we use them or not.

By: Clancy

Clancy — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 14:01:12 +0000

This policy kinda goes hand in hand with the local snow removal policy on ACHD owned streets. Or lack there of.

By: Mr. Logic

Mr. Logic — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 12:03:41 +0000

Before everyone unloads on Mike remember he was responding to a brochure from the county telling him to BE PREPARED. Instead of buying GOVERNMENT flood insurance and just sitting by idly waiting to collect, he was attempting to be proactive.

I think the G-Man was trying to show that sandbags would be issued to anyone, but only “in the event of flood,” not earlier as a prophylactic. (a preventative measure for you non-library types)

By: LJ

LJ — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 05:42:20 +0000

Well, while we are asking for everything… I would like a Fire Engine in my yard during fire season, just in case. Think that could happen?

By: sam the sham

sam the sham — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 03:52:25 +0000

Birds of a feather….
Where did the folks in Eagle, living (like idiots) on the flood plane next to the Boise River get their sand bags last spring? People choose to live where they do for various reasons. Buck up and get your own bags, fill them with sand – or go to Zamzows and pay for them.
I don’t choose to pay for your poor choice in where you put your house or family. buck up…i’m not your mom.

By: Razzbar

Razzbar — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 15:57:38 +0000

Sandbags?? Sheesh! The area obviously needs better storm drains if this is a regular problem.

By: Robert Bennett

Robert Bennett — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 14:21:24 +0000

I don’t understand why the public should provide a homeowner with sandbags. Should we also provide windows to keep the rain out when the water is trying to enter a residence at chest level?

My family lives on the bench precisely because the north end is a flood plain. We understand that it floods in those sorts of areas, so we didn’t buy down there.

Also, if it has flooded three times in the past, then where are the sandbags from those times? Did the sand go bad? Can sandbags only be used once? I don’t know, simply because it doesn’t flood up here, so I have no sandbag experience.

By: Diesel

Diesel — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 13:53:15 +0000

It is rediculous to expect our city, county, state, or federal government to pay for and provide material to protect your home. Especially if you know in advance that something like a flood could happen.

If you purchase the home, you assume all the risk that goes along with it. If you didn’t research the possibility of flooding when you bought it, that is your problem.

This is exactly like the folks down at Eagle Island complaining about the potential flooding a few years back. YOU BOUGHT A HOUSE NEXT TO THE RIVER!!! What do you expect.

I am for the government providing emergency relief when it is necessary. Outside of that “Buyer Beware.”

By: TJ

TJ — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 04:33:56 +0000

When I lived just off Hill Road and Catalpa a number of years ago, my lender wanted me to carry flood insurance just in case loads of water might come thundering down from the hills behind Hillside Junior High. I called a surveyor friend of mine. He came over and determined that our property was enough above grade that flooding was not a problem. No flood insurance needed, but out the cost of a case of beer. 🙂

I agree with Jo. If your house is in a hollow or at the end of a long slope from a drainage from the foothills you should have sandbags available. Your mortgage company should have advised you if you need flood insurance but you should also check with your title insurance company to see what kind of flood plain you may be in. These flood plains do change from time to time, usually due to building upstream. (Thanks you guys for building upstream and thanks to Planning and Zoning for allowing it.)