I live in a beach town on the east coast of Central Florida. Our beautiful city was flooded by Tropical Storm Ian. We had 20-30 inches of rain in 24 hours along with wind gusts up to 95 mph. So many people have lost their homes. It’s devastating to see the damage they experienced. Is climate change affecting these hurricanes? I believe so. We need to respect the power of Mother Nature.
(I have lived in this sweet town since 1960. Many of the areas flooded were not in flood zones. They weren’t right along the beach. Most flooded areas were on the mainland.)
I live in a beach town on the east coast of Central Florida. Our beautiful city was flooded by Tropical Storm Ian. We had 20-30 inches of rain in 24 hours along with wind gusts up to 95 mph. So many people have lost their homes. It’s devastating to see the damage they experienced. Is climate change affecting these hurricanes? I believe so. We need to respect the power of Mother Nature.
I hope that one of the many lessons that can be learned from this storm is that you can no longer build at or below sea level. As we, hopefully, do whatever we can to mitigate climate change, we must face its reality. Just as Andrew showed the flaws in construction practices, Ian should make everyone realize that you must consider elevation before you build.
We live in Bonita Springs and we’re blessed to be spared the worst part of Ian! Our hearts break for all those who were in the path of the storm! We hope supplies are soon passed out to the people who have lost so much!! God bless the volunteers who got our utilities on in 3 days!💕
When we reread these remarks a year from now, five years from now, or perhaps twenty years from now will we deem people's and politicians' responses to have been any different than to those of most major natural disasters?
For over four decades, the Republican Party has worked hard to demonize the functions of government. Ronald Reagan, one-time patriarch of the party, (until he was replaced by Donald
Trump), famously said "The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the government and I'm here to help." So the GOP pursued trickle-down economics, gave huge tax cuts to the morbidly rich and cut government programs that were meant to help the poor and needy. Grover Norquist made GOP members of congress sign pledges never to raise taxes. For him, starving the beast, and drowning the government in a bath tub were a favorite mantra. So in a crisis like Ian, where are the billionaires with their helicopters, private jets and yatchs rushing supplies to Florida? No, it is socialist FEMA at the ready to help. The point is, government matters. And leadership matters. Compare how George Bush handled Katrina and Trump tossing paper towels at the victims of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico with President Joe Biden acting proactively to station FEMA in Florida. And what if Governor Ron DeSantis had saved the money he wasted for his political stunt to help with the recovery in his state.
Ian has showed the best of humanity in America. Can't we all get along to solve our common problems like climate change, poverty, health care, etc., rather than tearing at each other's throat over "Critical Race Theory," abortion bans and more?
And those states rights people who think the federal government is worthless will be asking for that same government to help them of course. And before they ask, Joe Biden will be there; again proving he is a better man than 45 has ever been or will ever be or any Republican for that matter.
Thank you Dan. What is very important in your write up is the “we” can’t forget those who need our help. However “we” all of “we” need to change those who are in politics only for the power, control and money! They are NOT for the “we”.
That storm surge time lapse shows a very mild one. A major storm surge carries debris like whole trees, roofs and homes. It's like a bulldozer several miles long. The camera would likely be gone, which is why we don't have much video showing the full effect.
Now is the time to reprioritize and spend money usually spent on Blue Angels during Fleet Week and use for rehab in Florida and other states. The obscene amount of money spent every year is a disgrace when so many are starving in this country. Not to mention the immigrant situation. Let’s get our priorities straight - can it ever happen?
We are in the eye of the storm in so many ways. I fear for Floridians and all in the path of this climate-change-fueled hurricane. And I fear for the country that sheltered my parents from a Trump-like dictator.
Thank you for reminding us of our common humanity, Mr. Rather, and of our own responsibility for the climate change that's ravaging the planet. The guilt is disproportionately that of rich nations; the price is disproportionately paid by the poor, the dispossessed, the marginalized, and the elderly.
We either learn how to live in harmony with each other and our natural world, or we inflame a culture of division.
I live in a beach town on the east coast of Central Florida. Our beautiful city was flooded by Tropical Storm Ian. We had 20-30 inches of rain in 24 hours along with wind gusts up to 95 mph. So many people have lost their homes. It’s devastating to see the damage they experienced. Is climate change affecting these hurricanes? I believe so. We need to respect the power of Mother Nature.
(I have lived in this sweet town since 1960. Many of the areas flooded were not in flood zones. They weren’t right along the beach. Most flooded areas were on the mainland.)
I live in a beach town on the east coast of Central Florida. Our beautiful city was flooded by Tropical Storm Ian. We had 20-30 inches of rain in 24 hours along with wind gusts up to 95 mph. So many people have lost their homes. It’s devastating to see the damage they experienced. Is climate change affecting these hurricanes? I believe so. We need to respect the power of Mother Nature.
I hope that one of the many lessons that can be learned from this storm is that you can no longer build at or below sea level. As we, hopefully, do whatever we can to mitigate climate change, we must face its reality. Just as Andrew showed the flaws in construction practices, Ian should make everyone realize that you must consider elevation before you build.
We live in Bonita Springs and we’re blessed to be spared the worst part of Ian! Our hearts break for all those who were in the path of the storm! We hope supplies are soon passed out to the people who have lost so much!! God bless the volunteers who got our utilities on in 3 days!💕
When we reread these remarks a year from now, five years from now, or perhaps twenty years from now will we deem people's and politicians' responses to have been any different than to those of most major natural disasters?
I suspect the answer will be "not really."
For over four decades, the Republican Party has worked hard to demonize the functions of government. Ronald Reagan, one-time patriarch of the party, (until he was replaced by Donald
Trump), famously said "The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the government and I'm here to help." So the GOP pursued trickle-down economics, gave huge tax cuts to the morbidly rich and cut government programs that were meant to help the poor and needy. Grover Norquist made GOP members of congress sign pledges never to raise taxes. For him, starving the beast, and drowning the government in a bath tub were a favorite mantra. So in a crisis like Ian, where are the billionaires with their helicopters, private jets and yatchs rushing supplies to Florida? No, it is socialist FEMA at the ready to help. The point is, government matters. And leadership matters. Compare how George Bush handled Katrina and Trump tossing paper towels at the victims of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico with President Joe Biden acting proactively to station FEMA in Florida. And what if Governor Ron DeSantis had saved the money he wasted for his political stunt to help with the recovery in his state.
Ian has showed the best of humanity in America. Can't we all get along to solve our common problems like climate change, poverty, health care, etc., rather than tearing at each other's throat over "Critical Race Theory," abortion bans and more?
Oh, c'mon, Dan, can't we get a Carla story up in here??
And if they get control and blue states have disasters will they help? I think not…
And those states rights people who think the federal government is worthless will be asking for that same government to help them of course. And before they ask, Joe Biden will be there; again proving he is a better man than 45 has ever been or will ever be or any Republican for that matter.
A sad story for you and Ian. You carry Ian’s loss with you.
Thank you Dan. What is very important in your write up is the “we” can’t forget those who need our help. However “we” all of “we” need to change those who are in politics only for the power, control and money! They are NOT for the “we”.
Let’s vote and take 5 people with us to vote!!
“WE” can do this!!
Look at the women in Iran!!!
That storm surge time lapse shows a very mild one. A major storm surge carries debris like whole trees, roofs and homes. It's like a bulldozer several miles long. The camera would likely be gone, which is why we don't have much video showing the full effect.
Now is the time to reprioritize and spend money usually spent on Blue Angels during Fleet Week and use for rehab in Florida and other states. The obscene amount of money spent every year is a disgrace when so many are starving in this country. Not to mention the immigrant situation. Let’s get our priorities straight - can it ever happen?
We are in the eye of the storm in so many ways. I fear for Floridians and all in the path of this climate-change-fueled hurricane. And I fear for the country that sheltered my parents from a Trump-like dictator.
Thank you for reminding us of our common humanity, Mr. Rather, and of our own responsibility for the climate change that's ravaging the planet. The guilt is disproportionately that of rich nations; the price is disproportionately paid by the poor, the dispossessed, the marginalized, and the elderly.