As Tennessee reaches out for flood assistance, Cary reaches in

Tennessee floods claims 18 lives, destroyed and damaged property, businesses and landmarks, closed interstate highways, displaced thousands from homes, medical facilities and other buildings.  CNN reports of assistance on federal levels reaching the mid-Southern state at a time when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was planning to release even more water from an upstream dam - not a good idea.  Let's face it, Tennessee is in bad shape!

President Obama declared Tennessee a major disaster offering federal disaster aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts.  Outside of the sad loss in lives and injuries that may have been contributed by the flood - there is property to consider.  How many Tennessee homeowners actually had flood insurance?

Today lawmakers debate the issue since not many Tennessee citizens have flood insurance.  According to the Tennessean Rep. Charlie Curtiss plans on making flood insurance easier for Tennessee citizens to buy, that is, if they feel the need.  In recent years Tennessee has not been subjected to flooding of this magnitude.  And as they say "why pay for something that isn't going to happen."  Or is it? 

As Tennessee buckles down to try and form a safety net for future flooding disasters through flood insurance our own town of Cary debates their policy.

Cary's Town Council reaches into their policies to seek change where needed.  Homeowners that live near streams are responsible for their own flood insurance due to their decision of moving next to streams.  Most agree they should know what they are getting, streams can flood.  But the catch-22 lands in what used to be high ground is now frowned upon.  Meaning that long-term homeowners that used to be considered upstream are now living downstream. 

The Town Council is reviewing these unique circumstances at this time according to Cary News.

Cary has policy 35 and 146 assisting homeowners in flood damaging situations.  Policy 35 deals in private property flooding.  Homeowners petition the town to foot the bill at half the costs in repairs or improvements. 

But as David Bowden, 67, found out, sometimes it's just not enough.  Bowden paid a man $200 to paint the words "Screwed by the town of Cary" on his house large enough to capture media attention.  Bowden had a good case when it came to the Town of Cary.  Cary did construction along the edges of Maynard Road where Bowden lives.  Unfortunately, the run-off during heavy rains ran straight to his house flooding it.  Bowden reflected on his muddy laundry room through an August 2009 interview.  Visit the WPTF 680 interview for more on that story.

What may not work for some may work for others.

If the amount of loss equals the cost of the property the town decides whether or not to buy the property all together. 

Policy 146 works if the flood is proven at fault on public property and not private property. 

The ending result, as of now, "if it's not broken don't fix it."  They are leaving both policies as they are for the moment.  Most  homeowners residing on once higher elevation would rather it be sooner than later in light of what damage floods can unleash.

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Source(s):  "Record flooding engulfs Tennessee", CNN;  "Cary wades in flood policy", Cary News;  "David Bowden Interview", WPTF 680