Regarding the letter “Wasteful San Mateo flood tax” in the Oct. 4 edition, the facts are clear, homes flooded. The volunteers of Flood Free San Mateo talked to multiple residents, in multiple districts, and it appears that there were at least 5,000 homes that sustained damage. The range of damage was from minor to upwards of $150,000. My garage flooded and, after cleaning up, I had to replace the garage door, replace fences, pay for mold prevention and fix multiple beams on the front of my home, requiring repainting. Everyone on my street had totaled cars. The damage was significant. As a community, we have to think big picture, the atmosphere is changing, storms will be more severe and frequent. San Mateo needs climate resilient facilities and infrastructure. We must invest, now.
For once, let’s think about our children and grandchildren.
Seems to me that folks in flood zones may want to invest in flood insurance and not count on others to bail them out. After all, if these flooded folks sell their homes at much higher prices than they paid, will they share their gains with the folks they’re hoping will subsidize their flood damage?
But rain doesn’t flood all of us. Homeowners should buy flood insurance in the event others don’t, or won’t, want to bail them out of their gamble against Mother Nature.
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Seems to me that folks in flood zones may want to invest in flood insurance and not count on others to bail them out. After all, if these flooded folks sell their homes at much higher prices than they paid, will they share their gains with the folks they’re hoping will subsidize their flood damage?
Great piece. This isn't about bailing anyone out. It's about fortifying San Mateo for the future... it rains on all of us!
But rain doesn’t flood all of us. Homeowners should buy flood insurance in the event others don’t, or won’t, want to bail them out of their gamble against Mother Nature.
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Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
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PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
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