Colorado's "Unprecedented" Floods: How Long Before "Unprecedented" Just Means "Tuesday"?
So, Polis is asking for a major disaster declaration after the October 2025 floods in western Colorado. Shocker. Thirteen million in damage to public infrastructure? Hundreds evacuated? Sounds like a real party.
Except... "unprecedented flooding due to tropical storms Priscilla and Raymond"? Since 1911? Give me a break. Is it really unprecedented if it happened less than a century ago? Or does "unprecedented" just mean "we weren't paying attention last time"?
The Blame Game Begins
The official line is, of course, that the floods "devastated families, local economies, and essential public systems," according to Polis. Because what else is he gonna say? "Meh, a little water, no biggie"? It's always "families" and "economies" that get hit. Never the politicians, offcourse.
And then you get the local officials chiming in, all grateful for Polis's "support." Sheriff Mike Le Roux "strongly supports" the declaration. Marsha Porter-Norton is "grateful." You know what I'm grateful for? For someone to tell me why this keeps happening.
Is it climate change? Is it poor infrastructure? Is it just plain bad luck? Or is it the fact that no one seems to remember the last "unprecedented" flood until it's lapping at their doorstep again?
Thirteen Million Reasons to Be Cynical
FEMA's reporting $13.8 million in damage, mostly to roads and bridges. Sixty miles of road, culverts, drainage structures, and embankments destroyed or damaged. It's always the infrastructure, isn't it?
You know, it's like that old saying: "We'll rebuild it bigger and better, right up until the next flood washes it all away again." Are we just throwing money into a river here? What's the long-term plan? Because "declaring a disaster" every few years ain't it.
And the kicker? "Debris flows and sediment deposits are rechanneling waterways near residents." So, not only did the flood screw everything up, it's actively making things worse for the next flood. Brilliant.
I mean, what's the point of rebuilding when the river's just gonna carve a new path through your living room next time? Are we just rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic here?
The Void Where Solutions Should Be
Here's what I don't get: Where's the actual plan? We get the declarations, the evacuations, the hand-wringing, and the promises to rebuild. But what about preventing this crap from happening in the first place?
Are we seriously just gonna keep reacting to these "unprecedented" events like they're meteor strikes? You'd think after the third or fourth highest flood event since 1911, someone would start thinking about, I don't know, maybe reinforcing the levees? Or relocating vulnerable communities? Or, dare I say it, addressing the root causes of why these storms are getting so damn intense in the first place?
Just Another Day at the Apocalypse?
Here's the truth: This whole situation stinks of short-sightedness and political posturing. Polis gets to look like he's "doing something," local officials get to pat themselves on the back for being "grateful," and the rest of us get to foot the bill for the next round of "unprecedented" disasters. And honestly... I'm just tired of it.
