We find the numerous declarations of the unfortunate disaster in Houston as being “preventable” to be interesting but more than 50 years too late.

Many of us in the field of land planning and construction development have been predicting just such a disaster since the early days of Houston’s growth and breakneck-speed expansion, which seemingly never took into account its geography as being a very large and shallow pan of earth adjacent to the Gulf of Mexico, where hurricanes of historical proportions occur.

In short, the Houston disaster was predictable but ignored by city planners and developers. Quick project approvals and permits to build thousands of homes and supporting commercial facilities ruled the day for far too long.

All of this should be a reminder and wakeup call for city and county administrations nationwide that — whether a community is in the low-lying desert or in mountainous terrain such as here in the great Northwest — good planning, engineering and execution is essential to the safety and wellbeing of our citizens.

Since moving to Kitsap four years ago, we have witnessed several landslide incidents, some of which have taken lives, closed highways and railways, and caused flooding in low-lying areas.

Our subdivision and several others in the general area rest on top of what at one time was a mini-mountain rising about 300 feet above the valley below, while many of our neighbors wend their way up to and above our elevation.

Our entire area rests on a known major fault, which begs the question: were all precautions examined, engineered and seismic-tested prior to when our mini-mountain began being developed more than 50 years ago?

Something worth examining at city hall.

Bill Effinger
Poulsbo