FEMA denies West,Tx Aid

[systemnt]

go figure...

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/06/12/fema-west-texas-explosion/2415619/

[panhandlehunter]

I agree with their decision.

[SOLID EAGLE]

I don't. If that had happened up north they would be falling all over themselves to hand out money. What a joke!!!

[OleTomTalker]

Is the fertilizer company not responsible/able to pay for all the damages?

[JHT]

Shouldn't the plants insurance cover the damage?

[Mike Javi Cooper]

Like many small privately owned businesses the fertilizer company had only a $1 million dollar policy and like most folks very shallow pockets.

[dbaio1]

Seems like temporary relief with the company and it insurers to cover the liability should be in order. As said in a northern eastern liberal setting they would get free money all day and night long.

[JHT]

Like many small privately owned businesses the fertilizer company had only a $1 million dollar policy and like most folks very shallow pockets.

That makes absolutely no sense at all considering the risks involved in what they produced.

[Wayno]

I can see not having insurance to cover damage to roads and sewer systems, but why wasn't there insurance for the school?

[dbaio1]

Like many small privately owned businesses the fertilizer company had only a $1 million dollar policy and like most folks very shallow pockets.

Really, only $1 M ??? This can not be correct ????

And to be totally candid no one should be allowed to mfg and sell fertilizer with that low of insurance coverage. Where are the laws that are suppose to help us ???

Dang, my company is in the IT business and we don't have things that can blow up and we have to carry much more than $1 M.

[SwampRabbit]

I'm mixed on this one.

It wasn't a natural disaster, it was caused by human error. I personally beleive that liability resides somewhere closer to home. It wasn't an unforseen natural disaster. The question is: should ALL taxpayers pick up the ENTIRE bill. The Federal Government has offered aid, just not all the aid that they wanted.

That being said, I am skeptical about the political nature of these decisions. Especially when the letter comes from a top ranking official in the administration to the governor of the state.

One thing is for sure: this serves as an important reminder to those in goverment, even at a very local level. Your decisions matter. Zoning ordinances/plans for West comes to mind; how close housing and schools were to a plant capable of generating that much explosive power needs to be looked at.

[Speedgoat]

Here in Texas we take care of our own. Screw FEMA.

[Pin Oak DXT]

I would think it is irresponsible for the fertilizer company to only have $1M in insurance coverage. I have more personal coverage than that. But even if they had $10M, it wouldn't be near enough.

[Codie]

The ISD, City, Plant, and individuals should have insurance coverage to protect them. It is not the governments job to protect them financially if something big happens in their life. That is their own responsibility. Of course I think the same thing about natural disaster damages so what do I know. Insurance is out there and available for a reason. If you don't buy it to protect yourself, your family, your business then the blame goes to nobody else but yourself. I hope they find the financial relief that they need from genereous donations and are able to put their lives back together from this horrible accident

[mikemorvan]

Here in Texas we take care of our own. Screw FEMA.

If everyone in D/FW, Houston, and Greater San Antonio sent in $5.00 each, we could cover the $57,000,000. I'm in for my share. Someone get the bank account set up.