The Breet Report

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My home state of Virginia just had the tropical storm leftovers blow through the last two days.  The wind and the rain was a classic reminder of how nature can be a bear sometimes.  Through all of it, residents powered through the two days to make the most of the rainy weather.  Here is the kicker though…with all of the world, nations, major cities, and mid-size cities, addressing what to do locally for being weather prepared (ie getting rid of outdated technology, upgrading to eco-friendly, and not painting over rust) Virginia has a long way to go for being “eco” anything.  Yes, this is harsh to say and many are not going to agree with it, so let’s look at the evidence.

Anywhere from 4 feet of water (in the southwest area, Roanoke), to 8 inches of water (east of Richmond, Norfolk), managed to bring localities to their knees.  Different schools across the state had to be closed due to rising water from a very weak tropical depression.  Many of Virginia’s roadways had to be closed, and traffic re-routed to keep residents safe from the rising water. Let me say this again – a very weak tropical depression hovered over Virginia for two days that caused these issues.

See Virginia has a bonus card of beauty and wonder. Virginia has mountains to the west and coasts/beaches to the east, in the middle can be found Richmond.  The natural barriers to keep Richmond safe have been ripped out or blown up, thus, this causes major damage.  Well, this was only a weak tropical depression, not a snow storm or a full hurricane.  The state is going to have major weather issues in the future if no plan of action, low cost plan of action, is enacted – quickly.

Virginia needs to become a futurist state.  The idea of a changing world does not mean leave Virginia behind – in deep water flooded history, but helping to lead to eco-friendly sustainability for the state, and her citizens.  When a storm blows through (of any kind) power outages and flooding happen – EVERY TIME. This means – Virginia needs to finally make some upgrades.

I wonder if the hint will be gotten before something major in the weather will happen.

Articles of Interest

Several region school system opening delayed, from Richmond Times-Dispatch, Friday, November 13, 2009

UPDATE: Storm closes more than 400 roads, bridges statewide, from Richmond Times-Dispatch, Friday, November 13, 2009

Va. Official: About 500 flee to higher ground, Associated Press – November 13, 2009, Roanoke, VA. (AP)

Norfolk flooded by nearly 8 inches of rain, CBS 6 Richmond, Friday, November 13, 2009

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