Atlantic Hurricane season 2019

biodegradable seems to be catching on here. no recycling necessary, just toss it in the trash. some kind of potato starch

 

limitation seems to be a short lifespan, not sure about cost. 100 plastic kitchen bags on amazon $10.

 

Interesting article about flooding in Houston.

Houston's History of Floods

 

no, that article is all wrong. modern day flooding is caused by increase in tropical storms due to cc

 

That article doesn't mention some issues that I've seen mentioned elsewhere. It seems that the original flood control system and dams set aside some undeveloped areas as the floodwater storage areas, to be intentionally flooded to save downtown.

In a rational world, those flood reservoirs would remain undeveloped, or maybe used for agricultural fields that can be sacrificed at low cost during severe events. But no, Houston didn't do that. Rather, through bad planning and zoning and developer greed, they built it up as housing, never mind that it will flood. It was previously intentionally designed to flood. But no one, not even the title companies, disclosed this to the home buyers in those intentional flood zones.

This is in addition to the normal human development process, which typically mows down and paves over rain-absorbing vegetation and soils, forcing more storm water immediately into the streams and rivers and exacerbating downstream flooding. This would still be a major problem worldwide even without any CC.

 

Same stuff happening here.

 

they are starting to repave roads around here with a porous surface. i hope it will eventually help as the percentage grows.
if not, it isn't worth it, as the fide is very bumpy and noisy.

 

I'd think such roads would suspectible to freeze-thaw damage.

 

That would be my fear too.

 

good point, i haven't noticed too much yet

 

'asphalt pavement.org'

 

Huntsville AL:

• 600 ft AGL.
• western ‘rain side’ slope Smokies

New Madrid a little closer than desirable. TVA dams, <SIGH>.

Bob Wilson

 

We had 'illegal' immigrants with German accents. Robert Goddard died in 1945 and he was admired, copied, and in one sense, educated our immigrants.

Bob Wilson

 

Most of my career was working for NASA and DoD aerospace contractors. It was fascinating to work with and for so many brilliant people and the occasional clunker. Of special note, Gene Austin was the program manager for the McDonnell Douglas DC-X, the first vertical take off and landing rocket and a Macintosh user. Lessons learned:

• advocates of brand name IBM computers - not so bright but those who keep them working are sharp
• those with Macintosh - very sharp cookies, goal oriented
• early VAX/VMS - doing real science
• rocket engine testing areas - dummies don't get safety training and a pass
• NASA has one of every new technology - very small serial numbers and often found either still working or in the warehouse

There is a sparse network of clever, original thinkers, who recognize each other almost instantly surrounded by earnest but mostly harmless folks. Sad to say, there will also be a sprinkling of venal *ssholes who are oblivious to the great harm they do the organization.

Robert Goddard was a personal hero of mine even though he'd died five years before I was born. He did things others didn't even know needed to be done and often alone. Original work well beyond what the ignorant could barely if even understand. Little known, he was the originator of the bazooka rocket in WW-1.

Wernher von Braun's brilliance was attracting and leading a technically skilled team. I attended a memorial service for one of his team members and 'he always said a single part is more reliable than something made of two parts.'

Bob Wilson