FEMA and Hurricane Season Again

[David Roden]

In Sept. 2005 I wrote or called anyone and everyone I could to please consider the fact that FEMA was not looking at solving the temporary housing needs for the Gulf Coast vicitms adequately.

Remember the headlines of thousands of manufactured homes bought and shipped south for shelter until their homes could be rebuilt?

I asked the question, how long will it take to build the infrastructure for these homes, such as water, sewer, electricity and phones? Then once built and located, what was to stop another storm the next hurricane season from wiping these homes and families out again?

Now we see the results of FEMA's actions and shortsighted vision. Thousands of homes, representing millions of taxpayers dollars sitting in Arkansas, with no one living in them a year later. Part of the problem, of many, is the fact that FEMA's own rules state that temp. homes cannot be put back in flood plains!

Not to be content with one blunder, FEMA now is trying to outdo itself again.

While watching CNN the other night, I am now informed of the new plan to hook back up to these thousands of homes and drive them back north from which they came, and take them as far away as New Jersey and set them up there. Transporting cost about $6.00 per mile. Unreal !!

Someone please tell me that this is not for real? New Jersey?

As a park owner since 1988, and currently having empty lots ready with all the infrastructure in place, and I"m sure in Tennessee, Georgia and Ala alone there are thousands of empty lots ready and waiting that could take these homes and families today, I ask the question, why is FEMA not using the available lots to families within a days drive of the Gulf Coast and out of the hurricane path?

I would be glad to help find churches, schools, work, etc for anyone wanting a home away from the Gulf Coast until they get their act together and decide what and where the Govt. is going to allow families to build back.

Spending millions and millions to build "trailer cities" in the Gulf region, then only to wonder if the next storm will wash it all away? Where is the sense in that?

Families were scattered as far away as Alaska some newspapers read after the destruction. With no jobs, no schools, and no hope of when they could return, it cost millions a day to house these folks in motels, cruise ships, and tents.

There are thousands of empty lots that can hold the thousands of homes sitting in Arkansas right now for these families in need of shelter before the next hurricane season. Let the park owners help.

I'm located outside of Chattanooga Tennessee and not worried in the least about a hurricane.

To FEMA- open your eyes and ears and listen up, or turn your operation over to a private company.

On a side note- I hope someone has enough sense to understand that Modulars are the answer they are looking for when needing quick, affordable and quality housing to rebuild with to get these residents back home again.