Don't get me started on people who live on flood planes. Houston floods all the time and people live on flood planes because the land is cheap (gee, I wonder why), but they don't have flood insurance and beg for help when they get washed out, and then they rebuild their homes in the same spot. It's enough to drive one crazy.

Speaking of floods (see Johnstown, Pennsylvania, above) 2000 is the 100th anniversary of the Galveston flood, worst natural disaster in US history (6,000-8,000 killed). Will it happen again? Well, there is one bridge linking Galveston Island to mainland Texas (I'm guessing the ferry would not be running in the event of a hurricane), and it would require a minimum of 36 hours to evacuate ONLY the people who live on the immediate seacoast. That is, assuming there is no other traffic, assuming the rest of the island stays put.

I love Galveston, but I think I'll settle for occasional visits.