So, here is the deal...
The ground is frozen - there is a foot or more of snow on the ground - and it is pouring rain. It is supposed to continue raining for another couple of hours, then freeze, then snow up to 10 more inches.
I guarantee on tonight's local news, there will be stories of flooding. The local river, the Rock River, which feeds the Mississippi River eventually, routinely floods low lying areas. Today's weather will cause flooding somewhere.
A few thoughts...
With all the water shortages currently being experienced around the country - and with the predictions of water shortages only becoming more severe in future years - whoever figures out how to capture and use the water that currently becomes devastating floods will become a very wealthy person. It seems at some point in the near future, water management will become a lucrative industry.
To the communities that continue to allow housing or commercial developments in natural flood plain - stop it - it is stupid and short sighted.
To the communities that restrict or change the natural flow of water due to housing or commercial developments and create new flood plains - stop it - it is stupid and short sighted.
To people that actually buy land and build in natural or created flood plains - stop it - it is stupid and shortsighted. Furthermore, when you do this and then your house or business floods, don't coming running to my tax dollars to be bailed out. I wasn't the one foolish enough to build in a flood plain - you were.
Myself, the floor of my basement is the same level as the roof of my nearest neighbor. That's not by accident.
To my newest neighbor at the bottom of the hill four properties away - sorry - but your 600K property is going to flood again. Sorry, but WTF did you think was going to happen?

There...I'm done...
