From the DeKalb Bar President: Flood of 2009 – Facing the Consequences
Denise Warner
By Denise Warner
Sept. 21, 2009, was a day that we will not soon forget. As the rain poured, I prayed that my gutters would not fall and that only a little water would seep through my garage door. I never in a million years thought that my basement would flood, water would destroy family heirlooms, and my computer would be ruined.
For years, I’ve lived by this quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson: “Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely.”
However, many of us were absolutely unprepared and taken by surprise by the “Flood of 2009.” The criminal, economic and social consequences of the flood will be devastating. It is difficult to forget about the absurdity of a natural calamity.
We will need to work together as a community to get through this incident.
Many families have been displaced, and will be victimized twice. Vacant homes will lead to an increase in crime. Thieves will take the opportunity to ransack homes; drug dealers will make the vacant homes a breeding ground for illicit drug activity.
The economic impact will be negative and positive. Unexpected housing costs will prevent families from paying their mortgage and utility bills. This negative impact will create a dramatic rise in foreclosure rates and negative credit history. However, many small companies, such as landscaping, cleaning and waste removal services will benefit from the increase in business.
Uprooting children from their homes creates instability. Many may permanently move their residences, which will create the need to change schools and lose friends, whom they have grown to trust.
Please take the time today to help your family, friends and neighbors, who were impacted by the Flood of 2009. We must strive to support our community in its efforts to rebuild normalcy and to begin tomorrow “well and serenely.”