This is truly devastating. This hurricane could end up being worse than katrina. Houston is he fourth largest city in America, nothing but prayers for that city.
1
i can't forget George W Bush standing in front of cameras some years ago and saying with a confident smile and smirk (as was his favourite mien), that there is no such thing as global warming and indeed it was quite ridiculous to even propose it. At the time, he was standing in Texas whose petrochemical companies and Koch brothers profit from denying any controls on oil and gas causing atmospheric pollution and global warming. Now we have other Republicans like Trump and his acolyte Pruitt practically emasculating the EPA and pulling out of the Paris climate accord because it's all bunk according to them. And then Trump and his gang of deniers try to put on sad faces when they go and see the obvious results of global warming in Texas. Where once in a thousand years flooding has occurred. But of course folks it's all fake news this climate change stuff. And we will make America great won't we? Tomorrow Trump and spouse in tow go back to Texas and pretend to care but they should bring their wellies this time rather than stiletto heels and fancy shoes.
3
While our state is suffering an unprecedented disaster, it is so great to have all the lecturing, shaming and arm-chair quarterbacking coming from people who are not Texans, don't live here, and wouldn't live here on a bet. Please tamp down that urge to tell us what we did wrong, or should have done. We need prayers and help. A lot of people are in a world of hurt. Thank you to those readers who have shown compassion in their comments.
My Heart goes out to the people of South Texas. If we have learned nothing else in the last few years, on the political AND environmental landscape, from Standing Rock to Flint Michigan, those events have clearly shown everyone that "Water is Life". We cannot live without adequate, clean water.
Storms cut off electricity, and, in a heart beat, you can't pump Water. As a livestock owner in Oregon, I know that all too well. More frightening, in Houston's case, is all of their massive Chemical, Petroleum, Pesticide, and aging/unsafe sewer systems. What has flooded over, and leached into Houston's groundwater is horrifying beyond belief.
And ... where, oh where, is "our" E.P.A. ??? Pruitt, as Attorney General of Oklahoma, spent his entire career trying to sue and destroy the EPA, the very agency designated to protect our clean water, clean air, and our beautiful Nation. Instead, now at the EPA's helm, Pruitt continues to destroy the Agency, and any environmental safeguards that we pay our taxes for. Pruitt is the first EPA Director, or ANY Federal Director, to ask for and require 24/7 security - at OUR tax dollar expense. Gosh ... why does he think he needs that?
So, at the end of the day, it will take billions of $ to rebuild, and Decades to contemplate if you'd want to drink Houston's tap, or well Water. We're not re-inventing the wheel, here. We're just looking at what raw, over-development, with ZERO safety concerns, can do to too many Lives, and too many Homes.
Storms cut off electricity, and, in a heart beat, you can't pump Water. As a livestock owner in Oregon, I know that all too well. More frightening, in Houston's case, is all of their massive Chemical, Petroleum, Pesticide, and aging/unsafe sewer systems. What has flooded over, and leached into Houston's groundwater is horrifying beyond belief.
And ... where, oh where, is "our" E.P.A. ??? Pruitt, as Attorney General of Oklahoma, spent his entire career trying to sue and destroy the EPA, the very agency designated to protect our clean water, clean air, and our beautiful Nation. Instead, now at the EPA's helm, Pruitt continues to destroy the Agency, and any environmental safeguards that we pay our taxes for. Pruitt is the first EPA Director, or ANY Federal Director, to ask for and require 24/7 security - at OUR tax dollar expense. Gosh ... why does he think he needs that?
So, at the end of the day, it will take billions of $ to rebuild, and Decades to contemplate if you'd want to drink Houston's tap, or well Water. We're not re-inventing the wheel, here. We're just looking at what raw, over-development, with ZERO safety concerns, can do to too many Lives, and too many Homes.
6
As far as I can tell, Trump has shown no understanding of the multifarious problem vectors set in motion by Harvey. He has indeed marveled at the size of the rainstorm, but that is mere juvenilia. I believe that Trump will fail here, and that his bragging about the size of the storm in order to magnify what he wants to be perceived as his "handling" of it will reveal his true inability to understand anything.
3
This storm is evidence that mankind has more than enough trouble to handle. Wars are elective, a waste of resources and in the end accomplish nothing. Domination and colonialism has had its' day. The world has plenty of work dealing with disease outbreaks, illness, accidents, weather events, earthquakes, etc. It is time to take care of what really matters, each other and our home, earth.
3
Like Trump donating $1mil. So that's what- 3 Trump Security Days. WOW. Thank you. Need Presidential Security Cost Website. Also like your headline "Storm took aim at rich and poor alike". Really NYT. How are Black and White alike or Minority and White- Let's see those figures.
Pruitt and Trump pose a much greater threat to us than Russia, North Korea and ISIS combined.
3
Amazing how many people took this opportunity to make an anti-Trump political statement. Way to make Trump seem like the mature one...
2
Trump made his own anti-Trump statement when he boasted about his plan of announcing his pardon of his sheriff pal at the time of the hurricane to get more coverage. If you call that mature, then I think you need to really consider what is presidential and what is not.
2
@Tanaka
You can rationalize your behavior if you like, but it is flatly inappropriate to use a natural catastrophe and human suffering as a platform for petty, obsessive politics. Give it a rest.
You can rationalize your behavior if you like, but it is flatly inappropriate to use a natural catastrophe and human suffering as a platform for petty, obsessive politics. Give it a rest.
The another worry on the horizon. Irma, now out in the Atlantic, has already developed into a Category 3 Hurricane. And one possible route the models are showing has it ending up in the Gulf of Mexico, headed toward Texas. Admittedly, it's very hard to estimate a trajectory this far out. But if this hurricane continues to strengthen and smashes into the Texas coast, we will be looking at more hurt than we can imagine.
Keep an eye on Irma: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/gtwo.php?basin=atlc&fdays=2
Keep an eye on Irma: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/gtwo.php?basin=atlc&fdays=2
3
Storms like this and the increasing frequency and ferocity of such storms give me an idea for using a carbon tax.
Instead of paying a carbon tax back to citizens as a "tax dividend", per the GOP proposal cited by the NYT in a June 2017 article, the revenue from a CO2 tax should be used to build a climate disaster fund.
Then the funds would be available to handle issues like this, without having to beat up taxpayers and/or the budget deficit.
The problem with the dividend idea for a CO2 tax is that average CO2 producers just get their money back in a tax dividend. So for the average carbon producer, there is ZERO economic incentive.
With my idea, funds would be accrued to deal with the aftermath of storm damage, with flooding expected to worsen over time due to AGW. It would also be a 100% economic incentive to burn less fossil fuels, and thus help reduce additonal AGW more quickly.
Otherwise, it's just too much like business as usual.
Oh, and a good time to get such a plan rolling is while we're all focused on the dramatic reality of just how much damage can be done to a coastal area when 4 feet of rain come with a storm.
Instead of paying a carbon tax back to citizens as a "tax dividend", per the GOP proposal cited by the NYT in a June 2017 article, the revenue from a CO2 tax should be used to build a climate disaster fund.
Then the funds would be available to handle issues like this, without having to beat up taxpayers and/or the budget deficit.
The problem with the dividend idea for a CO2 tax is that average CO2 producers just get their money back in a tax dividend. So for the average carbon producer, there is ZERO economic incentive.
With my idea, funds would be accrued to deal with the aftermath of storm damage, with flooding expected to worsen over time due to AGW. It would also be a 100% economic incentive to burn less fossil fuels, and thus help reduce additonal AGW more quickly.
Otherwise, it's just too much like business as usual.
Oh, and a good time to get such a plan rolling is while we're all focused on the dramatic reality of just how much damage can be done to a coastal area when 4 feet of rain come with a storm.
5
Regarding the refusal by the "great" state of Texas to give the public full information related to the EXPLODING CONTAINERS and the chemicals they contain, how is this different from Michigan's poisoning the water and thus the people of Flint, and trying to ignore the effects of their criminal act? How are corporations able to claim they do not have to alert people living in the area about the poisons being kept on property which are used in their business, and all possible results if containment problems occur? If the Flint situation is wrong, then how can a chemical warehouse with the potential to produce noxious and potentially deadly conditions be allowed to deny requests for openness and honesty by the public? Any politician who has a problem with this should be forced to move to a home next to the potential hazard they have chosen to protect (and perhaps to be paid by).
8
You know in the unregulated petroleum climate in Texas, money changed hands. Regulators looked the other way; this crooked little twit was allowed to keep toxic chemicals in refrigerated containers with no thought of what a major flood would do to his plant, containers and generators/back up generators. He is not sitting in a "remote" place; there was little of that where he located this toxic dump site; the plant was a huge sprawl. He didn't try to get or apply a known compound which would have contained gases escaping from decomposing chemical sludge. He didn't want to ruin his product. Then the rains came, and his plant is now a polluting Super Fund site which will add to the already astronomical cost this event will cost taxpayers. He advised people within 1.5 miles of his plant sprawl to re-locate. He should never have been allowed to locate his plant anywhere near people. People will die from the toxins released from his product. I hope he is prosecuted for negligent manslaughter.
This seems like a good time to remind everyone that Trump's 2018 budget eliminates the US Chemical Safety Board (CSB). The CSB is an independent agency that investigates accidents in the chemical industry, publishes detailed reports on those accidents, and makes recommendations to industry, and agencies like OSHA and the EPA to prevent similar accidents in the future. Trumps proposal to eliminate this small but vital agency has received very little attention.
40
Obama's regs and standards were in place when this event occurred. So those will apply to those facilities whose practices were negligent and inadequate. Forget Trump; he cannot even sit still long enough to receive intelligence briefings. He won't understand what has happened; he won't connect the dots between his proposed elimination of Obama's regs and what he is now witnessing. He is incompetent and needs to be removed from office. Pruitt is an evil polluter who knew exactly what he wanted to do to the EPA. The whole Cabinet stinks to high heaven.
For an industry that has gotten almost 10 million dollars in tax breaks from Houston and one that could have had their workers dilute the organic peroxides when they knew that refrigeration was failing, why let them blow up and endanger the neighborhood, which had been assured that 'everything that can be done, has been done'? Do these industries ever become citizens in return for public handouts? If they wont donate to the relief effort, how about taking back several million $$ of the handout and giving that to the citizens who need help?
18
I look forward to hearing Trump channeling Bush: "Heck of a job, Scotty !"
9
At least in Groundhog Day, there was a learning curve.
Folks build the wrong houses in known hazard zones. Banks loan them money. Insurance sells them policies. Then when the every 3rd year flood occurs, everyone is stunned.
It looks like a very expensive self-licking ice-cream cone.
The Mississippi Solution is the ideal one (buy out all the at-risk buildings, then ban building there). Anyone who stays is accepting risk. It may not be politically acceptable.
Certainly, if folks do rebuild in a flood zone, then require them to build a flood-plain approved design.
Otherwise, we're in a never-ending expensive and lethal do-loop.
Folks build the wrong houses in known hazard zones. Banks loan them money. Insurance sells them policies. Then when the every 3rd year flood occurs, everyone is stunned.
It looks like a very expensive self-licking ice-cream cone.
The Mississippi Solution is the ideal one (buy out all the at-risk buildings, then ban building there). Anyone who stays is accepting risk. It may not be politically acceptable.
Certainly, if folks do rebuild in a flood zone, then require them to build a flood-plain approved design.
Otherwise, we're in a never-ending expensive and lethal do-loop.
17
Republicans in bed with the oil industry who can care less about people and the environment? I'm shocked.
9
I imagine that Trump's advisers told him before the Houston rally that he should not go out there and congratulate himself.
And he goes out there and says he will congratulate himself later.
What a maroon.
(Assist on the play to Bugs Bunny.)
And he goes out there and says he will congratulate himself later.
What a maroon.
(Assist on the play to Bugs Bunny.)
9
Houston should rebuild "again" with flood water regulations to ensure that the public is safe from corrupt building codes.
San Francisco has building codes designed to withstand earthquakes, Houston would be wise to start building their factories and communities to withstand floods every 3-5 years.
Chemical Plants that explode when they lose power? Raise the chiller units and the piping, install back up generators 10' above the highest flood stage.
The engineering is available for these company's to make their factories fail safe, the regulations are not.
San Francisco has building codes designed to withstand earthquakes, Houston would be wise to start building their factories and communities to withstand floods every 3-5 years.
Chemical Plants that explode when they lose power? Raise the chiller units and the piping, install back up generators 10' above the highest flood stage.
The engineering is available for these company's to make their factories fail safe, the regulations are not.
26
To be fair, it may not all be corruption. Part of it may be incompetence or short-sightedness. But regardless, we now have a dramatic indicator of just how critical such regulations are, and how stringent they should be.
But what is "the highest flood stage" in a world where AGW is causing measurably increases in the violence and the variance of bad weather? It will take balance to define this, but clearly, the scales should be tipped in favor of caution.
If the industries cry too much -- too bad. After all, extra costs get borne by consumers over time anyway, so in reality, people are just going to pay to protect themselves. The producers just need to be forced to operate safely.
But what is "the highest flood stage" in a world where AGW is causing measurably increases in the violence and the variance of bad weather? It will take balance to define this, but clearly, the scales should be tipped in favor of caution.
If the industries cry too much -- too bad. After all, extra costs get borne by consumers over time anyway, so in reality, people are just going to pay to protect themselves. The producers just need to be forced to operate safely.
3
Good suggestions but what happens when the water rises abuve the 10' above the highest flood stage because the flood is so unprecedented, as I think it has been in SE Texas
1
"President Trump plans to donate $1 million to help storm victims in Texas and Louisiana, the White House announced."
This statement will be NYT worthy when the so-called billionaire president produces a receipt for his donation. Please print a newer version without this point.
Hasn't it been made abundantly clear that he has many plans but none of them ever come to fruition except the ones that create dissension, division and destruction.
This statement will be NYT worthy when the so-called billionaire president produces a receipt for his donation. Please print a newer version without this point.
Hasn't it been made abundantly clear that he has many plans but none of them ever come to fruition except the ones that create dissension, division and destruction.
10
Given Trumps penchant for donating other people's money and calling it his own contribution, I'd like to see more than a receipt.
3
What is happening in Galveston now? The news circles Houston and surrounding cities, but with almost nothing about how the island city is recovering from the storm. The devastation in the pictures looks a lot like Galveston following Ike. What is happening in Galveston now?
5
Trump donates $1M? That's supposed to be generous? A ball park estimate of his net worth is $10 billion, so this is 0.01% of his net worth. That's the equivalent of the average bloke donating $10. Many of us average blokes will be donating proportionally more - and we won't be trumpeting it.
Frankly, all this does is demonstrate Trump's lack of generosity. Truly generosity is anonymous - one want nothing more than knowing one has helped.
Frankly, all this does is demonstrate Trump's lack of generosity. Truly generosity is anonymous - one want nothing more than knowing one has helped.
11
POTUS is engaged. He has saved countless lives with his pre-emptive actions. This is why we elected him. This is what he does. USA should all unite behind Trump, democrats and republicans.
4
Steve: Trump is not "engaged"; he is all about himself. He has put Pruitt in charge of the EPA, the man who sued it many times; the man who is all about unregulated pollution and the destruction of the EPA. Zinke is all about mining for oil and gas in National Park lands. Check out Trump's non-existent tax "plan"; there is none. And, if he manages to gather his random thoughts, he will want big tax cuts for himself and other top 1%. Trump lost the popular vote, because a lot of us saw the draft dodging Trump U fraud and tax cheat as a criminal enterprise. Now, we hope that Mueller exposes him and his family for the tax cheats they are. And, who is bailing Jared out of his NYC 666 failing enterprise? Who will give Jared enough loans to exploit real estate ventures in NJ? What Mueller will find when he gets tax records, is that Trump has an outstanding loan for 250M dollars from Russian oligarchs, laundered through the Bank of Cyprus and Deutsche Bank. Then he can add that to the 95M fake purchase of FL property, another loan. He is a failed bankrupt who squandered a fortune and lives on borrowed money.
11
What preemptive actions? He did nothing. When I heard a federal official interviewed on NPR as the hurricane approached, she consistently referred to the efforts of the governor and mayor. She never once alluded to FEMA or Trump.
10
what rational insurance companies would dare issue policies for development in Houston after this event. I'm sure the place will dry out, however just the amount of toxins and raw sewage floating around won't just vanish as the area dries out. It is inevitable that some nasty health crisis will emerge in the future as all the pollutants spread by the flood contaminate wells and landscape.
5
Ah, finally a natural disaster that relieves us momentarily from Trump's madness. Life feels a bit normal again.
2
Building poorly constructed homes in drainage areas without flood insurance and then saying nothing could be done. Obviously somebody has been pulling a fast one for many years.
7
Your coverage of the Hurricane has been outstanding. I like to see some followup reports on how could zoning laws allow 2500 housing units to be built in a reservoir. In a reservoir? Yes! In reservoir.
10
The answer to this is simple. Houston doesn't have zoning laws.
There is so much money being said to be donated by celebrities and wealthy donors, it must be in the hundreds of millions, that you might be asking yourself that if you controlled that much money there has to be outwardly obvious progress we can see on the six o'clock news. Of course I want there to be progress helping them but first you have to know it isn't going towards over priced commodities and charity commissions. There never is an accounting shown to the public as to how much and where funds are going. If you've read anything about funding for Iraq, the Fed or the military you can only be cynical or suspicious ... or in a coma and just don't care.
5
The Salvation Army is always a great organization to give to. They don't pay much out in overhead.
2
How will we learn lessons from Harvey if the wall steals funding from oversight agencies?
C&EN (Chemical and Engineering News), 5/22/17:
"The future of the U.S. Chemical Safety & Hazard Investigation Board is in doubt now that...Trump is proposing to abolish the small agency. CSB is the world’s only independent body dedicated to investigating chemical-related industrial accidents to find their root causes and, in hopes of preventing similar incidents, pass this information on to companies, regulators, workers & communities.
Trump’s plan to eliminate CSB by defunding it...has generated an outpouring of support for the board...mainly from residents living near large U.S. industrial plants & refineries, unions, local officials & safety experts. Several companies that have been investigated by CSB...the American Chemistry Council...trade association, are tight-lipped and reluctant to comment on the impact of the proposed elimination..
Ultimately, the fate of CSB will turn on whether Congress decides to provide funding for it. The board took on several of its most significant investigations, including into the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon oil disaster, at the behest of lawmakers...Lawmakers funded CSB for $11 million this year.
The proposal to shut down CSB is part of Trump’s blueprint to slash nonmilitary federal spending for fiscal year 2018...The reductions are needed, the President says, to increase defense spending by $54 billion and build a U.S.-Mexico border wall."
C&EN (Chemical and Engineering News), 5/22/17:
"The future of the U.S. Chemical Safety & Hazard Investigation Board is in doubt now that...Trump is proposing to abolish the small agency. CSB is the world’s only independent body dedicated to investigating chemical-related industrial accidents to find their root causes and, in hopes of preventing similar incidents, pass this information on to companies, regulators, workers & communities.
Trump’s plan to eliminate CSB by defunding it...has generated an outpouring of support for the board...mainly from residents living near large U.S. industrial plants & refineries, unions, local officials & safety experts. Several companies that have been investigated by CSB...the American Chemistry Council...trade association, are tight-lipped and reluctant to comment on the impact of the proposed elimination..
Ultimately, the fate of CSB will turn on whether Congress decides to provide funding for it. The board took on several of its most significant investigations, including into the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon oil disaster, at the behest of lawmakers...Lawmakers funded CSB for $11 million this year.
The proposal to shut down CSB is part of Trump’s blueprint to slash nonmilitary federal spending for fiscal year 2018...The reductions are needed, the President says, to increase defense spending by $54 billion and build a U.S.-Mexico border wall."
18
My husband is a technical advisor to the nuclear power industry. He has spent his career adhering to extremely strict and expensive federal regulations that have ensured the safety the country's nuclear reactors. Those regulations are why the South Texas Project nuclear reactor, just south of Houston, performed well during the hurricane, never even going offline. But the chemical industry, which is large and powerful, has lobbied successfully against such regulation. And we see the result.
41
Kind of reminds me of the banking industry, and the results of its huge powerful lobby. Too bad voters won't vote out the representatives who refuse to stand up to such lobbies and protect the PEOPLE who elect them.
Unfortunately, the way the system works now, I don't see a realistic way to fix that, at least in the short term.
Unfortunately, the way the system works now, I don't see a realistic way to fix that, at least in the short term.
3
Whole towns were moved after the Missouri River Flooded in 1993. Houston and Harris County - and the rest - might take heed.
9
Unfortunately, Katrina and Harvey are only an indication of what seems likely over the next few decades. 90% of global warming is absorbed by the oceans. The hotter the water in summer, the more energy in the storm and the more moisture it contains. Meanwhile, other parts of the country, including its great wheat, corn, and livestock regions are subject to the risk of drought. Forest fires will grow in area covered and intensity. And the doubters of global warming will stay firm, encouraged or deceived by the fossil fuel lobby. Don't take it on trust. Look at the evidence in the blockbuster series "Years of Living Dangerously". It's even free:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dA41EGRyJJI&t=1s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dA41EGRyJJI&t=1s
10
There is nothing wrong with politicians praising the resiliency of people under duress. You can hardly say something that will increase their suffering. However, strong praise is being showered on people who just show up and say a few words of circumstance. What counts, however, is what they are going to do. What will all those people who voted against relief for Sandy because it was not the responsibility of government but the state's to supply the funds do? Or will they vote the money because it now goes to their state. And if they do, what happens to the often cited conservative belief that the government is the problem and not the solution? And what will those who are against social services do, because they are self-reliant and don't want government hand-outs. A real test of political and social integrity faces them.
16
"...smoke from the blasts was “noxious,” an irritant to the lungs, eyes and possibly skin, but he would not say whether it could be called toxic."
This is the utter irresponsibility of the chemical industry, their lobbyists, and their paid for Congresspeople that do not require any information from chemical companies to be available to the people.
Peroxide contamination can be far more than an irritant to the lungs, eyes and skin. It can hamper thinking ability, cause nausea, and make the tongue swell. It takes days to get it out of the system. People will react differently, and Arkema is hedging their bet that it won't be too bad and by doing so taking as little responsibility as they possibly can.
This is the utter irresponsibility of the chemical industry, their lobbyists, and their paid for Congresspeople that do not require any information from chemical companies to be available to the people.
Peroxide contamination can be far more than an irritant to the lungs, eyes and skin. It can hamper thinking ability, cause nausea, and make the tongue swell. It takes days to get it out of the system. People will react differently, and Arkema is hedging their bet that it won't be too bad and by doing so taking as little responsibility as they possibly can.
17
P.S. Unless you're eating unbleached flour or unbleached oils, you're eating peroxide, the toxicity of which the manufacturers will not speak to. Don't expect it to show up on the label though.
5
I guess the taxpayer will be called to fund bailing out this corporation too. Whose idea was Super Fund? Bet it wasn't taxpayers'.
2
It only seems like yesterday when I was a kid on the Monsanto ride at Disneyland and going under that huge blinking eye in the microscope looking down at me and the speakers booming in my ears . . . Better living through chemicals. So true.
3
Texas will back on its feet much faster than people think. The "can do" spirit is taking hold already, neighbor to neighbor, government assistance or not. This ain't Nawlins.
4
Guaranteed that Texas will ask for a bunch of government help. And the Texas legislators that voted against helping the victims from hurricane sandy will line up and vote 100% for government subsidies for hurricane Harvey.
6
They'll take plenty of government assistance, they always do.
8
@Chris
It will take more than the 'can do' spirit of neighbors to clean up the biohazard mess, mitigate and resolve any public health hazards, ensure the safety of the water supply, and get the power back on.
It will take more than the 'can do' spirit of neighbors to clean up the biohazard mess, mitigate and resolve any public health hazards, ensure the safety of the water supply, and get the power back on.
3
Scott Pruitt is on the scene, so I'm sure the toxicity will be judged to be far less than people think.
21
Doesn't his presence actually add to it?
7
I dare Scott Pruitt to go to the scene of the explosion with his face uncovered, to prove the non-toxicity of these unstable chemicals.
8
Democrats never talk about withholding aid to those affected by natural disasters, even if it's a tornado in Oklahoma where the victims are probably not Democrats. Republicans, on the other hand, wanted to withhold aid to NY and NJ Sandy victims.
22
Democrats sure are talking about it, ad nauseam, because they don't want to help
a Red State.
a Red State.
2
Is this India? Is this 1984? Is this a Bhopal happening again? News reports show little info that makes sense. And the EPA has been crippled.
16
I'm gonna take a gander and say this ISNT Bhopal.
Meanwhile Asian Floods See More Than Two Million People Displaced In India, Nepal And Bangladesh
These are the floods you probably haven’t heard about...1,200 people in india have died in the floods, barely commented on.
These are the floods you probably haven’t heard about...1,200 people in india have died in the floods, barely commented on.
12
Gosh, Texas is a state that frowns on any kind of regulation, built houses on flood planes and didn't have safeguards for disasters. Climate Change is denied and sadly, the chickens have come home to roost. Rebuilding MUST include regulations and safeguards for the health of the people who live there. To do otherwise is unconscionable! Climate is HERE!!! Face up to it!
16
He was made to pay $25 million to the defrauded students of Trump University.
Now he is pledging a miserly $1 million to Harvey Relief.
From which I believe we may fairly conclude that lawsuits are the real way of getting to his heart.
Now he is pledging a miserly $1 million to Harvey Relief.
From which I believe we may fairly conclude that lawsuits are the real way of getting to his heart.
17
There is no shame among republicans.
5
So much of this is a man-made disaster, even apart from the climate change connection. Allowing developers to build homes in flood plains and chemical plants with poor back-up plans for floods - and God knows what else.
7
Agreed. And don't forget that they elect politicians who (a) are unsympathetic when other states experience natural disasters, (b) refuse to enact zoning codes so as to give free passes to businesses (especially oil and gas businesses), and (c) deny basic climate science and oppose measures to rein in the global warming which brings with it more severe storms and greater precipitation.. Are such politicians now going to plead for Federal assistance ... and should Texas get it?
3
Remember Trump tells us that he is worth 10 billion. A $1,000,000 donation from someone worth 10 billion is proportionally the same a someone worth a million dollars donating $100. Doesn't seem that generous in that light. There are a lot of people who have donated far more proportionally than Trump has without all of the puffery.
25
How much is Soros donating? The Clinton's?
3
We won't know, because they won't organize a rally and display their cardboard checks. The Clinton Foundation does a lot of work in West Africa, clean water, schools, digging wells, etc. Soros has been donating to worthwhile causes for decades. Bill Gates donates money for education in many third world countries. The Trump Organization is a self-dealing fraud, now under investigation by NYC's Attorney General. Trump even tried to get $150,000 in damages after 9/11 for damaged property he didn't have. We need to recognize that this man shows all the signs of early onset dementia. He can read from a teleprompter when he is forced to. Otherwise, he goes off script and we hear the incoherent rants of a demented President.
7
Clinton and Soros are not the President.
I worked in industrial plants for 40 years (some of that time in Houston and the Gulf) and this storm brings many safety issues into a specific and harsh light: (1) The catastrophe at the Fukushima nuclear facility in Japan was caused in large part because the backup power generation systems were entirely inadequate. Backup power generation is not some lost art, nor is it rocket science. And here we are again with the Houston area chemical plant saying, there's no way we could have foreseen this. Nonsense.
(2) The government and the media must insist on whether (as the Houston Chronicle contends) there were other measures besides refrigeration that can keep these chemicals stable, i.e. through an emergency backup process that introduces other neutralizing chemicals to render the whole mass inert. This is best practice, but probably rejected due to cost.
(3) We have got to start thinking of replacing as many hazardous chemicals as we can with other chemicals, by redesigning the end processes. Hydroflouric acid, for example, is enormously difficult to work with even under normal conditions. If this plant housed hydrofluoric acid, or many other compounds in industrial chemical processes, we would be talking about evacuating a lot more are than a 1.5 mile radius.
There are dedicated and skilled people in the chemical industry who can improve things, but only if we mandate it for all the industries, and avoid competitive disadvantages to implementing best practices.
(2) The government and the media must insist on whether (as the Houston Chronicle contends) there were other measures besides refrigeration that can keep these chemicals stable, i.e. through an emergency backup process that introduces other neutralizing chemicals to render the whole mass inert. This is best practice, but probably rejected due to cost.
(3) We have got to start thinking of replacing as many hazardous chemicals as we can with other chemicals, by redesigning the end processes. Hydroflouric acid, for example, is enormously difficult to work with even under normal conditions. If this plant housed hydrofluoric acid, or many other compounds in industrial chemical processes, we would be talking about evacuating a lot more are than a 1.5 mile radius.
There are dedicated and skilled people in the chemical industry who can improve things, but only if we mandate it for all the industries, and avoid competitive disadvantages to implementing best practices.
22
Obama's standards were still in effect when this event occurred. Did the Texas oil and chemical industries obey those standards? Obviously not. The chemical plant in question was secretive, unregulated and is now a Super Fund site in the making. They didn't have a compound on hand to cover the decomposing chemicals so toxic gases would be smothered. That little twit had the nerve to tell people within 1.5 miles of his toxic premises to move. As if he were directing traffic.
Houston might be increasingly impaired long term due to its so-called freedom from regulations and zoning requirements. It's literally built on a swamp. They built clear up to the edges of drainage canals.
And a couple weeks before Hurricane Harvey, a short sighted Donald Trump rolled back Obama's flood risk regulations from designed for bridges, highways, buildings, utilities, dangerous plants and so on to withstand climate and its effects.
If Trump's regulation killing remains in place, and continues, there will be yet more trouble for the city and other coastal areas along that sector.
R. Lemaitre from FEMA, said Trump was undoing "the most significant action taken in a generation" to protect infrastructure from climate change..... eliminating this requirement is self-defeating. We can either build smarter now or put taxpayers on the hook to pay exponentially more when it floods. And it will."
Probably most of the rescuers and survivors walked through pollution in those waters. My heart literally breaks. We need to be smarter. And Trump isn't helping.
And a couple weeks before Hurricane Harvey, a short sighted Donald Trump rolled back Obama's flood risk regulations from designed for bridges, highways, buildings, utilities, dangerous plants and so on to withstand climate and its effects.
If Trump's regulation killing remains in place, and continues, there will be yet more trouble for the city and other coastal areas along that sector.
R. Lemaitre from FEMA, said Trump was undoing "the most significant action taken in a generation" to protect infrastructure from climate change..... eliminating this requirement is self-defeating. We can either build smarter now or put taxpayers on the hook to pay exponentially more when it floods. And it will."
Probably most of the rescuers and survivors walked through pollution in those waters. My heart literally breaks. We need to be smarter. And Trump isn't helping.
17
The abandoned homes will be knee deep in toxic water; walls will be covered with mold. This was the tragedy waiting to happen in the lax regulatory environment of Texas. We can pay for the clean up; we can give money to those left homeless and jobless. But, where will they go permanently? Do they have skills to work outside the petro/chemical industries? This is going to be around for a long time.
4
The Keystone pipeline destinations, among other cities, are the refineries in the Houston and Port Arthur areas. Another not-so-good idea by the petroleum industry.
13
Keystone would carry toxic bitumen oil. No U.S. refineries can work with it, even in Texas. That poison is supposed to be offloaded on to barges and then transferred to tankers headed for China, which cannot refine it either. That was the plan; now, who knows? Canada might be stuck with it, because B.C. won't allow it on tribal lands; and, Quebec cannot barge it off shore of New England which also won't allow it.
1
People have been asking, ever since the level of Trump's incompetence was evident, - 'what can we expect in the face of a real emergency or threat.' First answers, a campaign rally and a marketing opportunity. Stay tuned.
17
Don'the worry. It won't be long. He'll be back down there on Saturday....to meet with survivors. My predictions:
#1. He'll have the big 5' cardboard check ala Publisher's Clearing House or the TV game shows.....
#2. He'll talk it up but never make good on the promise.....probably cuz, yah know, he's being audited by the IRS.....as soon as that's over, well, sure ..... then he'll write the check.....
#3. The check will come from his so-called charitable foundation.....that's right.....other people's donations.....
#1. He'll have the big 5' cardboard check ala Publisher's Clearing House or the TV game shows.....
#2. He'll talk it up but never make good on the promise.....probably cuz, yah know, he's being audited by the IRS.....as soon as that's over, well, sure ..... then he'll write the check.....
#3. The check will come from his so-called charitable foundation.....that's right.....other people's donations.....
The economy of Southeast Texas will be devastated for a long, long time to come. If people cannot go to work, they won't have paychecks. Without cash, they won't be able to shop, even for some necessities. Small businesses will fold, laying-off even more people.
Then, the tax rolls will drop, and the local governments income will diminish greatly, as the safety net demands will i increase phenomenally. And now, multiply this many times over. And hey, let's not forget the re-structuring and re-planning of the Region's Infrastructure!
https://thetruthoncommonsense.com
Then, the tax rolls will drop, and the local governments income will diminish greatly, as the safety net demands will i increase phenomenally. And now, multiply this many times over. And hey, let's not forget the re-structuring and re-planning of the Region's Infrastructure!
https://thetruthoncommonsense.com
5
Count the coastal cities and ask yourselves how many times we're going to go through this while denying climate change.
8
Let's have that conversation we should have been having for some time now, i.e. what is the role of government in our lives?
Should all Americans help their fellow citizens in times of need? I would say of course they should.
Should all Americans bail out people who build in flood plains?
If people in Texas didn't have flood insurance, should all Americans take care of those Texans?
The earth's temperature is rising, which means that water is rising, which amplified this once in a lifetime flood. Should Americans bail out Texans who want to deny global warming?
Should Americans bail out Texans when almost all Texan representatives voted against Sandy aid? And, don't respond with the Ted Cruz lie that the Sandy bill was voted against by Texans like him because there was pork in it:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fact-checker/wp/2017/08/29/ted-cruzs...
I believe in Lincoln's definition of democracy: government of the people, by the people, for the people, but a large group of Republicans and southern states, such as Texas, are continually undermining our government.
Except for now, strangely, where Senator Cruz and fellow Texans -- including, most likely, some of the 20% who want to secede from our country -- are all of a sudden relying on "big" government to bail them out.
Should all Americans help their fellow citizens in times of need? I would say of course they should.
Should all Americans bail out people who build in flood plains?
If people in Texas didn't have flood insurance, should all Americans take care of those Texans?
The earth's temperature is rising, which means that water is rising, which amplified this once in a lifetime flood. Should Americans bail out Texans who want to deny global warming?
Should Americans bail out Texans when almost all Texan representatives voted against Sandy aid? And, don't respond with the Ted Cruz lie that the Sandy bill was voted against by Texans like him because there was pork in it:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fact-checker/wp/2017/08/29/ted-cruzs...
I believe in Lincoln's definition of democracy: government of the people, by the people, for the people, but a large group of Republicans and southern states, such as Texas, are continually undermining our government.
Except for now, strangely, where Senator Cruz and fellow Texans -- including, most likely, some of the 20% who want to secede from our country -- are all of a sudden relying on "big" government to bail them out.
45
As long as you are reducing the Harvey tragedy to political snark, please keep in mind that the majority of Houston voters, like the majority of all other of Texas' largest cities, are Democrat. What Ted Cruz did in response to Hurricane Sandy was wrong. However, Texas Democrats did not vote to deny aid to Sandy victims.
I presume you are Democrat. Should I and others blame you for the Republican policies of this administration? You would likely say no. Then stop dumping on the unfortunate victims of Hurricane Harvey.
I say we need to help all of those affected by this tragedy, no matter who they voted for.
I presume you are Democrat. Should I and others blame you for the Republican policies of this administration? You would likely say no. Then stop dumping on the unfortunate victims of Hurricane Harvey.
I say we need to help all of those affected by this tragedy, no matter who they voted for.
6
I would say that a reasonable approach would be to look at rebuilding as insurance companies do. That is to say, if flood insurance cannot be obtained, victims of the floods should be helped by the gov't. only if they rebuild in an area where they can be covered by insurance the next time this happens, as it surely will.
Definitely help them out of this mess if they are willing to relocate. Sure that will be an inconvenience for many jobwise, etc. but repeating the same error should not be an option and expect a Federal bailout.
I guess another option would be for the State of Texas to tax fund areas that are not covered. Good luck with that!
Definitely help them out of this mess if they are willing to relocate. Sure that will be an inconvenience for many jobwise, etc. but repeating the same error should not be an option and expect a Federal bailout.
I guess another option would be for the State of Texas to tax fund areas that are not covered. Good luck with that!
4
Journeywoman, V brings up some necessary items for discussion, a discussion that has long been ignored. It's time there were some firm decisions because this affects all us - even those who are far from Texas. If one area is flooded, the whole U.S. is flooded in a sense. We are in this life together!
Wishing for solutions is not political snark. But your comment sure was.
Wishing for solutions is not political snark. But your comment sure was.
1
It it really a coincidence that the chemical plant fire and explosions occurred in a state that frowns on local fire codes and prides itself on failing to supervise big corporations? How many residents who live near the chemical plant will develop cancer in the aftermath of this fire?
21
Gee, how insightful! Here's a clue. Fires and explosions in chemical plants occur only where there are chemical plants...
1
Once again proof that regulations have an important place in our society. When companies and gov't. vote them down, people suffer!
8
Don't forget the West, Texas fertilizer depot explosion that leveled much of the small community just a few years back and was met with, "We don't need no stinkin regulations."
4
We're gonna need to see that check from Trump and not the big, cardboard one. The one actually being cashed.
14
If he really cared about people's welfare, he would convince billionaires to join him in helping the victims of the flood.
Won't happen!
Won't happen!
7
Why doesn't he just use a debit card?
2
@JB, why would the billionaires need convincing? Can't they do it themselves?
2
I find it interesting that a state has such poor environmental regulations combined some of the lousiest healthcare in the USA. The great Governor Abbott buddies up with toxic polluters but refused the Medicaid expansion. So...people get sick and can't get good medical care. It's an odd way to do things.
33
The mud and sludge that will be left behind in neighborhoods and homes in the wild wild west no regulation state are going to be cesspools at the very least, and very toxic, at worst. And theres going to be tons of it to get rid of.
25
No. The streets of Houston will be what they've always been... Much cleaner and pleasanter than the streets are in most places...
1
The water people are wading through is probably seriously polluted. Are the shelters able to provide showers with strong soap for people? Are there clean clothes available for all, and a way to dispose of clothes which are probably contaminated by any number of toxins.?
5
So when is a good time to address climate change? Can't believe that it was so long ago that Al Gore brought the issue center stage.
17
Years ago, scientists warned that people will "have to" address climate change. Sadly, it takes loss of life and billions in damage before politicians are forced to stop lying and do something about it.
11
This is incompetence on par with Katrina. Why weren't flood plains evacuated? It's ridiculous that authorities did not zone in on the lowest areas before the storms hit.
Evacuations should have been carried out street by street. Why is Washington leading the way with good governance models?
Evacuations should have been carried out street by street. Why is Washington leading the way with good governance models?
2
The mayor of Houston (a Democrat) said there was no need to evacuate.
1
When questioned about instituting proper building codes and environmentally sound regulations for city expansion Sanders Huckabee responds with the typical Republican standby quote i.e. "this is not the time to talk about this". The same response they use when gun control solutions are asked for after a mass shooting.
60
She is a loathsome spokesperson for a loathsome President and an equally loathsome Party. Did the media call her on her irresponsible response? Probably not.
14
So Trump is donating $1 million of his own money to Harvey relief. He may think this will show the country that he really cares. But guess what? It doesn't.
24
Texas - don't hold your breath for that check.
6
I'll believe the donation when I see the cashed check.
5
He needs to work hard to get those billions needed for aid to those in Houston and surrounding flooded areas. He needs to do it privately without a big grandstand publicized check. It is still all about him. I am reminded of a line from Shakespeare: "Who will rid me of this meddlesome priest?" I am hoping that in this century, that will be Mueller and his crack team of financial investigators.
2
On CNN the president of the chemical company did't go as fas calling them explosions... he called it "popping sounds".
I can't wait to see Rachael Maddow tonight!
I can't wait to see Rachael Maddow tonight!
16
I'll be watching. Rachel is the only living being between us and the evil real estate salesman.
3
Didn't hear that ... WOW, I'll miss football for that.
2
We'll find out just how much we've learned from Katrina,
and how much we've learned from Sandy.
The rescue and rebuild effort in the wake of Harvey will demand the best from everyone tasked with such a difficult challenge, no matter how seasoned.
Thank you to each and every boat owner who went fishing for people.
Thank you to the shelter volunteer in the photo (and others like her whose names will remain unknown) who smiled at the little girl on the cot with such an encouraging smile.
Thank you to the guy who used his surplus military truck to rescue that family in the video, with such respect and care for their welfare.
Thank you to those calling for a generous response to all of these victims, regardless of their race or documentation.
Standing on the roof of a flooded house as your possessions bob in the water below has to be the worst feeling. Seeing an aluminum fishing boat make a turn in your direction has got to be one of the best.
Please know that if your life has been upended, folks are pulling for you.
And if you are a volunteer, the days ahead will have further demands.
Please know you ARE being seen by Americans across the country for your brave and generous sacrifices on behalf of your fellow man.
and how much we've learned from Sandy.
The rescue and rebuild effort in the wake of Harvey will demand the best from everyone tasked with such a difficult challenge, no matter how seasoned.
Thank you to each and every boat owner who went fishing for people.
Thank you to the shelter volunteer in the photo (and others like her whose names will remain unknown) who smiled at the little girl on the cot with such an encouraging smile.
Thank you to the guy who used his surplus military truck to rescue that family in the video, with such respect and care for their welfare.
Thank you to those calling for a generous response to all of these victims, regardless of their race or documentation.
Standing on the roof of a flooded house as your possessions bob in the water below has to be the worst feeling. Seeing an aluminum fishing boat make a turn in your direction has got to be one of the best.
Please know that if your life has been upended, folks are pulling for you.
And if you are a volunteer, the days ahead will have further demands.
Please know you ARE being seen by Americans across the country for your brave and generous sacrifices on behalf of your fellow man.
34
Officials may think of New Orleans as an example where rebuilding has been successful, but only a last minute roll of the dice kept this storm from hitting there and wiping out all the investment. Sea levels are rising (unless you don't believe in global warming,) and these storms are just a taste of what is to come. America needs to adapt to the future, not the past.
13
When the fertilizer plant blew up a few years ago, then atty general (now governor abbott) passed regulations that HID the contents of these plants from the general public. I'm sure the residents of Texas want to commend the public officials for their forsight in keeping them safe and informed. I wonder how much money changed hands and how they will answer their constituents now? Good going guys.
42
Not surprised that Mr Abbott would pull something like that. He is not a man of good character.
13
I read that there is a compound which could have been used to cover the contents of those chemical containers; it would ruin the contents, but prevent gases escaping from decomposition. This guy opted to save his product; now he is out there asking people to leave for a mile around his polluted chemical plant. What a guy. And, of course, he was allowed to manufacture a toxic product near a suburban area. Remote? He sounds like a guy who passed around some money, and did what he knew could, under worst case scenario, be a terrible accident waiting to happen.
1
In the early 20th century a steamboat called the General Slocum caught fire and sunk on an excursion up the East River in New York City killing over 1,000 mostly women and children, many recent immigrants on a church outing. Though the boat was not far from the shore, it was later determined that the large loss of life was due to the fact that most of the passengers did not know how to swim.
As a result of that awful accident, the New York City School System put in a mandatory program in all public schools at the higher level, so that one had to pass a swimming test to graduate. Might something like that be instituted in all public and charter schools across the country. Would that have helped some of the Houstonians to reach safety?
As a result of that awful accident, the New York City School System put in a mandatory program in all public schools at the higher level, so that one had to pass a swimming test to graduate. Might something like that be instituted in all public and charter schools across the country. Would that have helped some of the Houstonians to reach safety?
4
Swimming in chemically polluted water? Swimming in a toxic swamp? The flood waters are not a public swimming pool. Now there are reports of escaped alligators and floating islands of fire ants. Swimming in the midst of all that is a really great idea.
1
Better than drowning in a flood waters. We learn to swim as soon as we can walk here; it's hot in the summer so we spend a lot of time in the pool. Years ago you had to prove you could swim when you went off to college - or you were signed up for a swim class!
1
Same rules in CA 70 yrs. ago. We all learned to swim; if you didn't know before H.S., we had to take gym classes where swimming was taught. Still, it is not recommended to swim in toxic chemically polluted water, unless you have immediate access to showers with decontamination assets. Those chemicals affect skin, lungs, ears etc.
Why did Arkema not dilute the chemicals or have chemicals on hand that could chemically neutralize them? Maybe because of lax regulation?
10
Totally agree. I think there would be a good case for Arkema's criminal negligence-- though I suspect the Republicans of the Texas's legislature, Attorney General Paxton, and Governor Abbott have the chemical industries' back, NOT Texas citizens'.
9
They didn't want to ruin their product; a stupid decision now that Houston is flooded with polluted water, in which his "remote" plant will play a part. He needs to be prosecuted, together with those who allowed this toxic enterprise to exist near any populated area.
1
For the immediate moment the only question we should be asking the everyday people of this catastrophe is, "What can we do to help?"
9
Since schools and grocery stores are located throughout the city and county, it seems like about 90% of these institutions were not damaged by Harvey which suggests that less than 15% of Houston was actually damaged. Also the number of folks in shelters now seems to be less than 1% of the population. This doesn't count people who are staying with friends and family because their homes are unlivable. Nevertheless, is it possible for the NYTimes to publish some positive news about the situation?
7
The reporting seems accurate. Are you suggesting that this was just a summer shower?
10
Positive Harvey news: we native Texans have witnessed "Texas friendly" in action - we are all "neighbors" as the divisions of immigration status, religious beliefs, educated/uneducated, child/elder are irrelevant as all work to protect human life. All who come to Texas seem to absorb that lesson of the not-so-distant frontier - it's not rugged individualism that made the USA great but the social networks of "neighbors" both country and city. Thank you to all who have come from out-of-state - you are our neighbors in time of need. Now can we hang on to this reality where partisanship is healed? Please.
12
So where and how these hundreds of millions of dollars are going to be spent is ever more curious. DiCaprio 10 million, Mylie Cyrus 5 million. Trust but verify. Somebody ... PLEASE verify.
1
President Trump's generous offer of $ 1 million is praiseworthy. Given his past history with charitable promises we should make sure that the full $ 1 million is given in cash, not golf coupons, cases of Trump water, or MAGA caps. The money should come from Trump's personal funds, not from other people's contributions to charities controlled by the Trumps.
56
Let's be clear here, Trump never said it was a contribution or a donation, he said it was a 'pledge'. He does have a history.
6
The news just keeps worse for Texas and it's citizens-
please know that in spite of the political and snarky comments that can be found on-line, there are many more people that are praying for you to regain your health, your homes and your lives.
please know that in spite of the political and snarky comments that can be found on-line, there are many more people that are praying for you to regain your health, your homes and your lives.
13
There is no economic or logistical reason to 'rebuild' Houston unless every structure for miles around is elevated with fifteen-foot pilings.
And, of course, a revised building code also should require each structure to have life boats permanently attached to it - no exceptions.
Most of what is now Houston might be better utilized as rice or cranberry fields. This is not the time to rebuild. This is the time to relocate.
And, of course, a revised building code also should require each structure to have life boats permanently attached to it - no exceptions.
Most of what is now Houston might be better utilized as rice or cranberry fields. This is not the time to rebuild. This is the time to relocate.
17
Are you aware of how ludicrous your suggestions are?
2
I'm having some trouble understanding how NYT can call these explosions small in the lede. There was clearly major damage to structures hundreds of feet away from the plant. The editor should check out the photographs.
7
They were "little popping sounds" .
1
Since this is the third time in five years that taxpayers and big government will be bailing out Houston. It is only reasonable that we require them to stop building in the wetlands and flood plains. This is getting real old fast so if you still want to flaunt regulation do so at your own peril.
And trump is going to give a million I want to see the check and the receipt. Besides if he is a billionaire as he claims he can easily afford more than a million.
And trump is going to give a million I want to see the check and the receipt. Besides if he is a billionaire as he claims he can easily afford more than a million.
97
Then there's the rest of the Trump Crime Family:
Think of the Children Ivanka
Perhaps the Trump Foundation can send their Tebow helmet to aid in rescue and rebuilding.
Think of the Children Ivanka
Perhaps the Trump Foundation can send their Tebow helmet to aid in rescue and rebuilding.
9
I can't stand Trump, but I also can't stand other people telling people how to spend their money. Trump can spend his "billions" on w/e he wants - hopefully some will go to therapy.
2
Buying votes...The check will bounce anyway.
2
According to Wikipedia more than 70 hurricanes or tropical storms have hit Texas since 1980; there have been many others before that with massive property damage including Beulah (1967), and the Galveston hurricanes of 1900 and 1915. In the long run these are not abnormal or even uncommon events, but with Houston's rapid growth they are not in living memory of most current residents. Those who ignore the past are doomed to repeat it.
16
And the warming oceans.
6
So what are Trump's recommendations. He went to visit aftermath firsthand. This is a man who is constantly eyes ratings. He knows Harris Country went nearly 60% for Hillary in 2016 so one cannot help but think is he gloating or helping. Surely he could've conveyed to his wife the importance to dress appropriate but somehow not that important. It shouldn't be politics when millions suffer but it's undeniable that it is.
6
Just be glad that Melania wore clothing.
9
She wore sneakers in Texas. Is it really that important that she wore heals to board the plane in Washington?
This is absurd nitpicking.
This is absurd nitpicking.
2
Plastics. Chemicals. Petroleum. We should figure out how to live using less stuff and strive for more durable and reusable products.
28
I wonder if the voters in Texas will connect their well-learned antipathy to government regulation to the unnecessary catastrophes from unregulated business brought on by the hurricane.
57
The mayor of Houston told residents to stay put. Can they?
Now, the entire whole of Harris County and Houston area is contaminated with chemicals from toxic Superfund sites and human waste from a sewer system that even the EPA criticized, who would want to live in Houston? This is a chemical and biological disaster, not just a conflict with Mother Nature. It's going to a "dead zone" like the area in the Gulf of Mexico that Houston and Galveston have created.
Now, the entire whole of Harris County and Houston area is contaminated with chemicals from toxic Superfund sites and human waste from a sewer system that even the EPA criticized, who would want to live in Houston? This is a chemical and biological disaster, not just a conflict with Mother Nature. It's going to a "dead zone" like the area in the Gulf of Mexico that Houston and Galveston have created.
31
The entire whole of Harris County and Houston is no more contaminated with chemicals than New York City plus New Jersey areas were after Sandy. I have not checked recently, but is there a dead zone from the eastern tip of Long Island down to Delaware?
4
Actually the EPA is honored in New York and New Jersey. Refineries in NJ did not spill toxic oil waste into the water. If the Texas petroleum industry honored the EPA, you would not be living with this disaster. Certainly the guy whose toxic plant wouldn't have been allowed to operate the way he was allowed to in Texas. He didn't even use a compound to cover his product, because he wanted to save it for future use.
12
Houston may smell bad to you, but Trump and the oil industry smell money.
2
I just hope the chemical company has more than just the 1 million in liability that
the fertilizer plant that blew a Texas town off the map had.
the fertilizer plant that blew a Texas town off the map had.
14
All I can say is this is what happens when an enormous state, filled with vulnerable people, a third of them BROWN people, is controlled by no regulation, self-dealing Republicans. Funny, how there are usually no Democrats who even run for offices in the southern third of this gawdawful state. I hope these poor sucker remember their suffering, which was entirely unnecessary, if there had been ANY pre-planning, and decent stewardship, at election time.
14
The mayor of Houston is a Democrat.
1
Ian--The STATE is a dark red state. And you can check on all the individual races in the southern third of the state, where many Republicans run unopposed. Try the website Ballotpedia. Maybe you will learn something.
1
The Keystone Pipeline is now DOA. The planned terminus of the political football of a pipeline from the sand tar pits in Alberta has been irrevocably changed by a guy named Harvey.
Donald Trump now looks like a fool, reversing an Obama-era decision to deny its completion to the Houston refineries.
With chemical plants now potential dynamite powder kegs ready to go up, courtesy of Harvey's soaking train, releasing deadly, fatal fumes into the breathing atmosphere, the oil companies, "their president's" best friend, are now shut out of billions of potential dollars. Their anger at Harvey (and at President Barack Obama) will no know end. They don't give a rat's tail for the domestic and civic catastrophe that this biblical-force hurricane visited upon ordinary people. They'll
pissed to no end that all that money has just been consumed by a force of nature that is beyond their control.
Towns like Crosby and cities like Houston, Port Arthur and Beaumont are now like overturned pumps at a filling station, waiting only for the spark to set them ablaze, contaminating the already toxic air. Oil companies will grudgingly be forced to abandon their (and Trump's) plans to wreak additional suffering on coastal Texans.
This Keystone Pipeline was a lousy idea from Jump Street. Perhaps Hurricane Harvey left a tiny blessing in his wake. He stopped the Pipeline; no other entity can take the blighted credit for this good thing.
Donald Trump now looks like a fool, reversing an Obama-era decision to deny its completion to the Houston refineries.
With chemical plants now potential dynamite powder kegs ready to go up, courtesy of Harvey's soaking train, releasing deadly, fatal fumes into the breathing atmosphere, the oil companies, "their president's" best friend, are now shut out of billions of potential dollars. Their anger at Harvey (and at President Barack Obama) will no know end. They don't give a rat's tail for the domestic and civic catastrophe that this biblical-force hurricane visited upon ordinary people. They'll
pissed to no end that all that money has just been consumed by a force of nature that is beyond their control.
Towns like Crosby and cities like Houston, Port Arthur and Beaumont are now like overturned pumps at a filling station, waiting only for the spark to set them ablaze, contaminating the already toxic air. Oil companies will grudgingly be forced to abandon their (and Trump's) plans to wreak additional suffering on coastal Texans.
This Keystone Pipeline was a lousy idea from Jump Street. Perhaps Hurricane Harvey left a tiny blessing in his wake. He stopped the Pipeline; no other entity can take the blighted credit for this good thing.
36
Are you kidding? When Trump is cornered he doubles down. The pipeline will be built and many more too.
Do you mean the Keystone pipeline carrying toxic bitumen oil from Canada, because BC wouldn't allow it to cross tribal lands. New England wouldn't allow barges from Quesbec off shore. Nebraska wouldn't allow it to cross their land. So, this hideous project was pushed forward through some kind of shenanigans in D.C., crossing 3,000 miles of the U.S. over aquafirs. Well, Harvey just landed a TKO on that nonsense. The Gulf cannot provide the barges and tankers to receive this poison. Harvey is like the Chain Saw Massacre.
Good God, do you really believe Keystone is dead in the water, so to speak. Of course it is idiotic -- it was idiotic before Harvey, but that did not stop Trump and his ilk before and it will not stop him now. First of all, Obama said no, so of course Trump has to say yes. Second it increases global warming plus it creates high risk of environmental degradation here in the states -- see faulty oil pipeline burst accidents -- even besides the encouragement of the mining of oil sands in Canada, so of course. Trump is all for it.
Now this is Scott Pruitt's EPA speaking. One of the problems [just one] is that we can no longer trust or believe the EPA. Especially since the first warnings were: 'Speaking Thursday at an early morning briefing in Washington, FEMA Administrator Brock Long called the plume of smoke wafting from the Arkema Inc. plant in Crosby, Texas, “incredibly dangerous.”'
The Environmental Protection Agency and local emergency officials, however, later said airborne sampling showed the smoke did not contain concerning levels of hazardous materials.
Pruitt believes that runoff from mining operations emptying into local rivers & streams also poses no threat, so there is every reason to believe that Pruitt's EPA is not to be trusted and very well may be lying.
The Environmental Protection Agency and local emergency officials, however, later said airborne sampling showed the smoke did not contain concerning levels of hazardous materials.
Pruitt believes that runoff from mining operations emptying into local rivers & streams also poses no threat, so there is every reason to believe that Pruitt's EPA is not to be trusted and very well may be lying.
73
Does he believe it, or just claims it.
1
When people start getting hurt and dying, theyll know the EPA is lying.
4
Like it or not, this will become "old news" quickly. There are MANY serious problems to be dealt with, for many years, but how many photos of stacks of soaked carpets and condemned homes do people want to look at.
While it is not true to the same degree for the NYT, after Katrina, the noise turned to the aggressive issues ~ who screwed up what, how did the people in New Orleans "behave"? I was with a group that helped start rebuilding Waveland, Mississippi ~ nice effort, but boring news.
And indeed, outside of those 8 million or so, most everyone will return to their own lives. And with Congress coming back, and Mueller still working diligently, and people denying that CO2 concentrations and climate change patterns had anything to do with this ...
And not to be cynical, but our POTUS has to realize that HIS shining best faces fade very quickly.
While it is not true to the same degree for the NYT, after Katrina, the noise turned to the aggressive issues ~ who screwed up what, how did the people in New Orleans "behave"? I was with a group that helped start rebuilding Waveland, Mississippi ~ nice effort, but boring news.
And indeed, outside of those 8 million or so, most everyone will return to their own lives. And with Congress coming back, and Mueller still working diligently, and people denying that CO2 concentrations and climate change patterns had anything to do with this ...
And not to be cynical, but our POTUS has to realize that HIS shining best faces fade very quickly.
6
Are there any other American cities (or towns or villages) that are likely to suffer the fate of Houston -- even with only 5% of the damage and misery -- the next time a major hurricane arrives? If so, let's have a list and hear what will be done VERY SOON to prevent such horrific flooding.
7
Very scary to be near the expanse of exposed toxic flood waters - and around here, the sources are everywhere - refineries, old Superfund sites, buried contaminants - this is a huge area - look on the maps that NYT has put out here...
Read all about the Arkema substances that are now exploding on this Canadian government health and safety site https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/prevention/orgperox.html - hope that link is permitted here -
Essentially, the stuff requires expert handling and special facilities - which begs the question: why were these not considered in a zone of the country that has high risk for storm potential - and yes, even this far inland - it has been happening now for years that these areas get the effects of tropical weather, which is NOT rocket science.
We have safety process short cutting all the time around these parts - why have regulations? This is why.
Read all about the Arkema substances that are now exploding on this Canadian government health and safety site https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/prevention/orgperox.html - hope that link is permitted here -
Essentially, the stuff requires expert handling and special facilities - which begs the question: why were these not considered in a zone of the country that has high risk for storm potential - and yes, even this far inland - it has been happening now for years that these areas get the effects of tropical weather, which is NOT rocket science.
We have safety process short cutting all the time around these parts - why have regulations? This is why.
37
Texas don't need no stinking job killing health, safety, workplace regulations.
8
There are reports that between one fourth and one half of the construction workers are undocumented. Would Texas be able to rebuild without their help. Perhaps we should offer citizenship to workers who show up to help.
45
Excellent point Joseph.
Texas just may have to choose between their self-rightous bravado in 'rounding up all the illegals' for deportation OR rebuilding their cities and towns affordably, in a timely manner.
Could be interesting to see which they choose . . .
Texas just may have to choose between their self-rightous bravado in 'rounding up all the illegals' for deportation OR rebuilding their cities and towns affordably, in a timely manner.
Could be interesting to see which they choose . . .
5
My co-workers defied poverty, deserts, and the law to work here; nothing can stop them from converging from across the nation to rebuild Houston. As the song says, immigrants get the job done. They have a heck of a job ahead of them. The rest of us should embrace their efforts and ethos and grant them citizenship; they've more than earned it. They already built Houston.
3
This is such a tragedy for all of the people who will suffer because of the selfishness of our society.
I just have no patience with people, such as the people who have been running Texas, who think this is a tolerable situation because we believe in FREEDOM! Maybe now people will begin to see that a political philosophy based on the conditions necessary for the freedom of a healthy white male doesn't even apply to them when environmental disasters become commonplace.
People really need to reevaluate what conditions are necessary in order to be able to realistically exercise one's freedom and also how much of a debt we already owe to others, including our government, that provide conditions in which we can exercise our right to the pursuit of happiness in actual, not theoretical, freedom.
I just have no patience with people, such as the people who have been running Texas, who think this is a tolerable situation because we believe in FREEDOM! Maybe now people will begin to see that a political philosophy based on the conditions necessary for the freedom of a healthy white male doesn't even apply to them when environmental disasters become commonplace.
People really need to reevaluate what conditions are necessary in order to be able to realistically exercise one's freedom and also how much of a debt we already owe to others, including our government, that provide conditions in which we can exercise our right to the pursuit of happiness in actual, not theoretical, freedom.
10
Yeah.
Houston has suffered severe flooding over the last five years.
Let's let people rebuild.
AGAIN
So we can rebuild their homes
AGAIN
When they suffer flood damage
AGAIN
in the very near future.
With taxpayer supplemented flood insurance policies
AGAIN
What's the definition of insanity (other than "Trump")
Houston has suffered severe flooding over the last five years.
Let's let people rebuild.
AGAIN
So we can rebuild their homes
AGAIN
When they suffer flood damage
AGAIN
in the very near future.
With taxpayer supplemented flood insurance policies
AGAIN
What's the definition of insanity (other than "Trump")
68
The dangers of chemical explosions and natural rot and sewage problems are among the many hazards coastal Texans and Louisiana residents face as the Gulf states struggle to rebound from this horrible natural disaster. Authorities may have to evacuate the entire Houston metropolitan area. Lack of food, drinking water and electricity and the spread of germs and bacteria are horrors the rest of us can only imagine. God bless our fellow Americans in their darkest hours.
26
There is an option employed whereby a neutralizing chemical will be injected into the vats when they risk becoming unstable. In this way the chemical is rendered non-toxic and explosions that create leaks do not occur.
Is there a reason this is not applied in Houston or the surrounding area?
Is there a reason this is not applied in Houston or the surrounding area?
13
It would destroy their product. It's all about the bucks.
3
Yes. The compound would destroy their toxic product. They chose not to use it.
The multi billion dollar bailout should be issued one one condition: No rebuilding in flood plains, based on current data, not old data. Houston's epic flood was nearly matched a couple years ago, and a couple years before that. Overdevelopment has left nowhere for the waters to go. Better to build quick rail people movers than to rebuild homes that will only flood again...and again.
68
No, the flood today is absolutely nothing like any other flood. Why don't you mosey on down here and we'll explain it to you.
4
Please explain at will. But also tell us why Houston overdevelops on a flood plain. And - when it does flood ( surprise!) it comes begging to the rest of the nation for big $$$ to reconstruct.
5
Mosey in down? Edify us already!
1
Pence said Houston will rebuild bigger and better than ever. I hope it rebuilds better, but bigger it doesn't need. It was urban sprawl and thousands of miles of pavement that made Houston flood. Even before Harvey, Houston had the second longest commute to work in the country. Houston needs to rebuilt better and smaller. Houston needs its prairie and wetlands.
107
I've been reading your stories on Harvey all week. The photos have been very powerful. Kudos to your photographers, especially Barbara Davidson.
31
I listened to the whole Rick Rennard speech. What he said was that the smoke were noxious in the same way that ANY smoke would be, and that it was not dangerous. Everyone asked the same question, and he downplayed the danger over and over. He also said there wouldn't be any explosions because they had followed all of the correct procedures to safeguard the plant. There, don't y'all feel much better now??
61
chemical smoke is actually good for you.
19
The Arkema Corp needs to accept that they are responsible for their negligence in preparing for this type of disaster. Did they have contingency plans for the loss of cooling to these units? They need to have plans to mitigate the environmental damage their lack of preparation is causing.
84
They spent a lot of time and money working to keep themselves free from regulations.
2
Yes; the contingency would have been to cover their product with a compound which would have kept the product gases from decomposition from escaping. They chose not to use it, because it would destroy their toxic product. Now, they have lost refrigeration; there is no compound protecting the product; the fires and smoke are well beyond safe, and that is why people have been asked to vacate for at least 1.5 miles. This guy better lawyer up to represent him in future trials for manslaughter, negligence, etc.
The only way to force that after the fact will be lawsuits. Too bad we can't sue our representatives for failing to have intelligent and prudent regulations for such obvious issues ahead of time.
I feel for the people of Houston. I hope everyone is okay from the blast. I hope godspeed for their recovery and that everyone is safe and sound.
16
Will Trump-Pence try to take advantage of the Harvey disaster as Pence and the Repo's did with Katrina?
Will Pence once again try to suspend the Davis-Bacon Act? Will he try to take offsets out of SS, Medicare or Medicaid, to pay for the clean up?
Will Betsy Devos's brother Eric Prince, sign a sweet heart deal to have his Blackwater thugs patrol the streets of Houston? Will Betsy herself, use the disaster to push her Private schooling deals, like she did in New Orleans?
They bare watching.
Will Pence once again try to suspend the Davis-Bacon Act? Will he try to take offsets out of SS, Medicare or Medicaid, to pay for the clean up?
Will Betsy Devos's brother Eric Prince, sign a sweet heart deal to have his Blackwater thugs patrol the streets of Houston? Will Betsy herself, use the disaster to push her Private schooling deals, like she did in New Orleans?
They bare watching.
50
Governor Abbott continued:
Yes, my administration knew what chemicals were being stored at Arkema.
No, there is no need for the public to made aware.
Arkema is a a private business. We do not want to reveal business secrets and pick winners and losers in our local neighborhoods.
If we told the public where these toxic and dangerous chemicals were located,property values would be harmed,
hurting the middle class.
If we required safety measures for the use, storage, and emergency care of toxic chemicals were imposed on private enterprise,
the share holders would be harmed,
the regulatory burden would stifle job creation,
the creation of good jobs.
(this is what the RepubliCon mantras look like in real time real life)
Let em burn....
Yes, my administration knew what chemicals were being stored at Arkema.
No, there is no need for the public to made aware.
Arkema is a a private business. We do not want to reveal business secrets and pick winners and losers in our local neighborhoods.
If we told the public where these toxic and dangerous chemicals were located,property values would be harmed,
hurting the middle class.
If we required safety measures for the use, storage, and emergency care of toxic chemicals were imposed on private enterprise,
the share holders would be harmed,
the regulatory burden would stifle job creation,
the creation of good jobs.
(this is what the RepubliCon mantras look like in real time real life)
Let em burn....
114
Is it true Houston has no zoning laws? With all the petroleum industry, that's just silly and a catastrophic accident waiting to happen. It is like saying that the hole in the roof isn't a problem unless it rains.
12
hear that public - you don't count for spit.
4
It kind of reminds you of the health care debate. Why should I spend money on insurance that I don't need? I have cheap insurance now, why should I pay higher premiums. It all sounds good at the time, until something catastrophic happens. Why should I buy a new roof, it's not raining? Why have zoning laws, it's just more regulations. Why have chemical based neutralizing measures? We have cooling measures as long as we have electricity. Why ruin the product, it costs us money? "Penny wise, dollar foolish"
4