Should There be a National Natural Disaster Fund?

Hurricanes' Blog #3


I came across an interesting piece of writing while conducting a Google search earlier today, to see what was going on in the world. St.Augustine.com, a Florida news website had been graced with a rather inquisitive and thought provoking letter to the Opinions editor of the site.

The author, Daniel Valone posed the thought of why raising the price of flood insurance in Florida would be a bad idea. With a poor real-estate market already, and many homeowners having a hard time paying the already high cost of insurance, he brought about a good point in doing so. Florida is not the only state to be hit by natural disasters. Yes, Florida will flood and be hit by hurricanes. Raging forest fires will plague California. A tornado will hit the Plains. There is potential for another crazy snowstorm to blanket the East Coast. (Let's bring another snowday to AU :D) Yet, when these things happen, the government is quick to help and get everyone back on their feet. And that is how it should work according to Valone. BUT- instead of just focusing on "flood insurance" for certain states that get hit the hardest by floods like Florida; why not create a national natural disaster insurance fund?


I have to give Valone props because it is a good idea. Yet, I know he is not the only one to have thought of such an idea. I think it brings up an important question of why doesn't the United States have one? Sure, we have plenty of organizations and relief funds that help when disasters hit, but why not a national pool of money? Better yet, is there a reason why something like this ceases to exist? I think it all comes down to responsibility.

We talked a bit in class as to whose "responsibility" it was to be prepared for an impending natural disaster. Whose job is it? The government? The people about to be affected? Whose is to blame when there is not enough preparedness? Or everything goes to ashes? Those are thoughts that shouldn't have to be addressed according to Valone. While natural disasters can be hard to predict, and in theory we should be able to prepare for, wouldn't a national fund be extremely helpful? Insurance rates for high risk areas would be reduced, thus pleasing those who have high insurance rates due to their choice of residence.

What do you guys think, should we be willing to put forth funds into a national disaster fund? Or should we keep things the way they are?