Drying out, cleaning up still

Assurance

Regarding “Mayor offers apology to city” (Page A1, April 21), I attended the homeowners’ association meeting and heard Mayor Sylvester Turner urge flooded residents of the Braeswood/Meyerland neighborhoods to remain, saying that Houston needed their presence. He also said he would request assistance from his former colleagues in the Legislature.

As welcome as the mayor was, he wasn’t the only civic leader giving up his evening to offer help and support. The area’s two city council members were there, as was County Commissioner Gene Locke. Constable Alan Rosen was on hand, accompanied by five of his deputies. He assured us that our neighborhoods would receive special attention during reconstruction. State Sen. Rodney Ellis was also present.

When things go well, we assume our safe, comfortable existences are natural and normal. But when disaster strikes, we realize that our safety and security depend on our government, whose people work to keep us safe and secure. “Thank you,” to everyone who came that evening to offer reassurance and resources to a stricken neighborhood.

And, with the city and county budgets already stretched, we need to think about finding the funding to make Houston safer when the next storms come. Nancy Perich Daly,

Houston

Empathetic

Regarding “As floodwaters subside, housing woes swell up” (Page A1, Friday), I feel sorry for everyone who has flooded having the same situation with my elderly parents in New Orleans.

But I would like to point out two things: First, grocery stores, gas stations, etc., are still open for people in the areas flooded in Houston. It wasn’t so in New Orleans; it was complete devastation for months.

Secondly, I keep reading about the people who “still have to pay their rent.” Well, homeowners still have to pay their mortgage so I don’t understand why the inference is they should live rent free.

Jude Wiggins, Houston

Flood-prone

Regarding “Floods prove Houston must build for future, not quick profit” (Page B11, April 24), when we built in Nassua Bay in 1975 there was a flood map that required you to build at least 15 feet elevation. Because we were on a bayou, we built knowing we could flood some day. So, we built masonry inside and out with tile floors.

When the 1979 flood (Claudette) came, we had 27 inches in the bottom floor. But, we were able to hose out and replace a few cupboards and appliances.

Why is there not a building code for a floodprone area? This has amazed us for years. By the way, we were Yankees then. Henrietta Horecky, Friendswood