heavy rain strikes again

[donsu]

http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/woalert.php?lang=eng


Torrens Flood - New Zealand

Parts of Northland have suffered surface flooding after torrential rain during the past 48 hours closed schools and roads, caused power cuts and stranded tourists. Four schools were closed and a bridge north of Te Kao was washed out, closing the only road north to Cape Reinga. The country's two northernmost communities, Te Hapua and Waitiki Landing, are isolated after flood waters took out a bridge on State Highway 1 just north of Te Kao. Transit New Zealand engineers have flown to the scene by helicopter to survey the damage. Parts of the region have had 180mm of rain in the past two days, the equivalent of a month's rain. The Far North District Council had said the situation was expected to worsen in coastal areas at high tide on Wednesday afternoon, with more heavy rain forecast in Northland throughout the afternoon. However, council spokesperson Alison Lees says the council has been keeping a close eye on danger spots and the risk of serious flooding has now past Nevertheless, the council has advised motorists to take extreme care. There are also flooding concerns at Takahue, Fairburn, and Victoria Valley. The rain has stranded tourists at Waitiki Landing, near Cape Reinga. Manager of the Waitiki campground, Joyce Conrad-Munns, says about 40 visitors and locals are stuck there. Hundreds of homes are without power after lightning strikes. Top Energy says thunderstorms have also taken out some transformers. General manager Ajay Anand says crews worked through the night, and every available lines worker is now out on trying to repair the damage. Mr Anand says Top Energy aims to have power restored throughout the Far North by 5pm Wednesday.
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are you ready for flooding - have you thought about your plans?

[Virginia Dare]

1. The insurance companies have already thought about it...

and they're cancelling flood insurance policies all over the place. This is our new reality.

[donsu]

2. yes, I've been wondering when the insurance business would close up

because climate change is too expensive.

it's going to happen, they will close up and that kind of insurance will not exist anymore.

[Virginia Dare]

3. Very true, and guess who will have to "bail them out"...n/t

[fed-up]

4. our foolish city council just approved purchase of land on creek for low-income

housing, despite 12 people, myself including questioning the wisdom of putting low income folks in a flood zone. I asked the council members if they personally would help pay the 10-15K deductible when, not if they get flooded.....

When I bought, first thing I did was check the FEMA flood zone maps.