News-Miner Editorial
Efficient response
Spring flood recovery effort accomplished much with little
Published Friday, October 16, 2009
Digg
delicious
Facebook
Mixx
Reddit
Stumble It!An admirable effort by agencies and individuals has restored housing for more than a dozen families in the town of Eagle and the village just upstream.
The physical appearance of the place won’t ever be the same, given the damage caused by the flood and ice jam that came over the banks this spring. However, the community itself is well on its way to being restored.
Thirteen cabins have been built to replace homes that were washed away or damaged irreparably. The costs of cabin materials and shipping from Tok were covered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency at about $30,000 apiece. Volunteers took on the rest of the work, completing the construction well before winter arrived.
The decision to build log cabins was the first sign this effort was headed in the right direction. The portable trailers typically used in federal disaster responses would have been inappropriate for Eagle. They probably would have cost more and lasted far less time, even while providing inadequate shelter in the meantime.
Log walls don’t always provide great insulation, but they were the best choice in this situation. Logs breathe a little and thus avoid some of the severe moisture problems that inexpensive trailers or frame buildings can develop. The flexible nature of logs makes them less susceptible to permanent damage from foundation movement. And cabin interiors aren’t as easily damaged by day-to-day living as, for example, plaster board, which is expensive to import, install and repair in remote villages.
An accounting of total government expenditures on this spring’s floods would be worthwhile, if for no other reason than to demonstrate the likely value of the modest approach taken. The response so far appears more appropriate than, for example, the government free-for-all that followed the Koyukuk River flood in August 1994. That flood was more severe, but the response was out of control. A state legislative audit documented direct spending of $68.3 million in the 18 months that followed, but all costs probably exceeded $100 million. “Poor federal and state oversight of response activities resulted in response efforts that greatly exceeded that originally envisioned by initial on-site damage assessment teams, as well as by federal laws and regulations,” the audit concluded.
The response to this spring’s flooding had its problems, no doubt. However, it seems so far that all involved have done much with little and have done it quickly.
Community Discussion
Newsminer.com doesn't necessarily condone the comments here, nor does it review every post. Read our full user's agreement.
Ummm... this doesn't quite jive with what those in charge at the time were saying.
I'm curious if these homes were built on the same lots and therefore at risk (again) when another flood happens.
Just remember that the dollar figure per house does not include the hundreds of hours that volunteer groups spent in Eagle this summer. Those folks who traveled to Eagle to help did so at their own expense. They are owed a GREAT BIG thank you!
All the lower 48 church groups, Amish, and Mennonite builders need to be commended; as if not for those guys; many people would be spending their winter in tents.
Cabins are quite nice for the kit prices. No more old village, all the Indians are out the new village now. All the Indians are thankful & quite proud of their new houses; I'm glad for them.
Most the white people down in the town who rebuilt on same location are 10 feet higher than their previous house; high water won't get them again.
I hated to see all the govt waste (it was awful bad), greed, all the fighting over free money and who got what; but I guess that's just what occurs in this type situation.
Ya know what's funny? Many years ago, we went thru a natural disaster. FEMA came in helped everybody get their cabins & utilities up and running, very appreciated. A month later, FEMA came back in writing checks for personal property losses. 25 families lost everything they ever owned, or so they claimed. Only two families in entire community refused to submit a claim. I remember telling the FEMA guy that I couldn't look at him in the eye and beg a handout, no joke. Everybody but 2 of us got checks and bought new snowmachines a month later, ha. I'd do it over again in a minute too. Govt assistance is necessary, but it often gets way outta hand.
I was surprised how many locals in Eagle (who pride themselves on how much they hate the govt and welfare ect) fought over all the aid, money, assistance, donations, ect they could conjure up. Then some lost alot and didn't get or want anything either and just went on with their lives. People can be funny, do as I say, not as I do.
Thanks to all the outside builders who helped get all the cabins up; wouldn't have got done any other way.
To all those who came and helped thank you. Hope you enjoyed your stay. Come on back. Your always welcome at my place. I'll make room.
I also would like to thank all of the people who came to the aid of our friends & neighbors who were in need. tho there was some abuse issues from a couple people, most were in real need of assistance. this was a crisis that has changed the face of our town. and our old village with church & other old buildings are gone forever.
people lost things that were important to our subsistance lifestyle . some of us were not able to recoup these losses. but we carry on.
just as a FYI, most lost houses were rebuilt in a different area.
Post a comment
Commenting requires registration.