Extraordinary Problems, Difficult Solutions

Extraordinary Problems, Difficult Solutions: "Extraordinary Problems, Difficult Solutions
Massive Floods, Pollution Make for 'Worst Case'

By Guy Gugliotta and Peter Whoriskey
Washington Post Staff Writers
Thursday, September 1, 2005; Page A10

First they have to pump the flooded city dry, and that will take a minimum of 30 days. Then they will have to flush the drinking water system, making sure they don't recycle the contaminants. Figure another month for that.

The electricians will have to watch out for snakes in the water, wild animals and feral dogs. It will be a good idea to wear hip boots and take care of cuts and scrapes before the toxic slush turns them into festering sores. The power grid might be up in a few weeks, but many months will elapse before everybody's lights come back on."