The Barlow FAILED to protect its tenants during flood.

[forestvaros]

My comment was to the Sebastopol folks who seem to endlessly complain about every detail of a problem.....

While there are certainly some people who fit the profile you describe, there are others who willfully refuse to accept the validity of people airing real grievances and expecting accountability. (Yes, see that image in the mirror?) It seems to me that you've got such a firmly entrenched set of prejudices toward liberals in Sebastopol that you can't actually listen with compassion to anything they have to say.

Did you actually read the article (or watch the video) that ChefJayTay linked to? I would be interested in hearing exactly what *you* would have done if you were a business owner in the situation in which the folks in the Barlow found themselves a couple of weeks ago when the flood warnings were coming. Because from what I've read, it seems very clear that the flood preparedness plan from the developer was close to impossible to implement in real-world circumstances. And -- also from what I've gathered from articles and commentary -- starting earlier (i.e. "heeding the forecasts" as you described it) wouldn't have made much of a difference. Yes, perhaps some of them could have moved merchandise into emergency storage if they had it available, etc. But their storefronts would still be ruined. And their staff out of work. What happens to the hundred plus people who worked at Community Market? .. as one example. Calling this situation "winter ... presenting a problem" is callous and dismissive.

I agree with your first sentiment, that the river folk are showing tenacity and resilience. As to the other point, it would appear that you're literally trying to shut down a discussion *on a discussion board* by attempting to shame the participants in that discussion. Know what? It reflects on you, not the people you're insulting.

(...Speaking as someone whose access to my rental home was completely cut off [thank God, didn't lose any belongings, but I went through that already when my family lost everything in the '91 Oakland Hills fire] for a couple of days while in my first week at a brand-new job, and only got running water back this past Monday (due to damages to our well when it got submerged). ... who, yeah, lives a few minutes above Forestville, a minute from the river. Screw this false dichotomy bullshit pitting "riverfolk" against people in Sebastopol. God help us, we have enough divisions already in our society without inventing even more. Learn a little compassion.)

[Barry]

As a point of information... It's my understanding that the tenant's responsibility for flood preparation is solely to move their stuff above the flood line, which is marked on the wall of all their units. It's the landlord's responsibility to install the flood prevention logs.

[TNTfarms]

Silly buildings. Flood plains are for water

[farmerdan]

I just returned from Chile to find the Barlow still with closed streets.
Seems odd that after 3 weeks everything is still closed with no news...anyone know what is going on?

Silly buildings. Flood plains are for water

[rossmen]

Flood recovery has followed the same path as fire recovery, regulatory standards becoming increasingly onerous. So a flooded business is red tagged. That means everything inside gets thrown out, sure you can wash dishes but everything porous or with hard to clean crannys is contaminated, even above the water. Then interior walls, flooring and insulation are demoed. The business can start over after the building is repaired.

I just returned from Chile to find the Barlow still with closed streets.
Seems odd that after 3 weeks everything is still closed with no news...anyone know what is going on?

[farmerdan]

How do the Barlow tenants decide to rebuild when they now know what happens in a flood? While it had been 20+ years since the 1995 floods, only mother nature knows when the next one is coming. One effect of global warming is more moisture in the atmosphere. In some areas in West County, we have had over 50" this year.

The 'flood logs' that were supposed to protect tenants have many defects, not the least of which is requiring 50 trained workers 11 hours to install on a sunny day with advanced planning and don't work if they are not carefully installed with top pressure (none of which was done). Unless this is solved, a repeat performance could come as early as next winter (or 20 years from now.)

[ChefJayTay]

How do the Barlow tenants decide to rebuild when they now know what happens in a flood?

Even better when I've heard nothing of the management being held accountable for their lack of action.
What's their motivation for even bothering trying next time?

[ChefJayTay]

Community Market is back open today!
They're not entirely restocked, but they have most of the basics.

[Barry]

Community Market is back open today!
They're not entirely restocked, but they have most of the basics.

More info here.

[Dorothy Friberg]

The solution, Don't build on a flood plain!! The main "defect' was building there.

How do the Barlow tenants decide to rebuild when they now know what happens in a flood? While it had been 20+ years since the 1995 floods, only mother nature knows when the next one is coming. ...

[eyemusic]

And Wednesdays (all day) are senior discount days starting today!

More info here.

[dianarc]

I enjoy Wacco daily, but can't someone correct this misspelled eyesore of a header? "its tenants"

[ Fixed! Thanks! ~ Barry]

[dianarc]

3 rousing cheers for Barry!

I enjoy Wacco daily, but can't someone correct this misspelled eyesore of a header? "its tenants"
[ Fixed! Thanks! ~ Barry]

[ChefJayTay]

So... curious. What has been the negative for the Barlow management from this event?

I heard rumors of investigations.... I heard rumor of people suing... is any of it happening?
Or is it just swept under the rug in hopes this won't repeat?

[Barry]

Sebastopol flood swamped The Barlow’s plans, caught most by surprise
MARY CALLAHAN
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT April 21, 2019, 12:11AM

Excerpt:

City officials say no reason existed for The Barlow managers to have waited as long as they did. Every forecast and gauge reading leading up to the worst of the flooding invited action sooner, they said.

See full article here

[Barry]

Turmoil in wake of Sebastopol flood clouds recovery at The Barlow
MARY CALLAHAN
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT April 21, 2019, 12:05AM

Excerpt:

Though the floodwaters have long since retreated to the Laguna de Santa Rosa where they originated, the confusion and chaos of the disaster endures for many. Financial hardship persists amid a tangle of lingering questions and finger-pointing over The Barlow’s response in the storm and its aftermath. Zazu’s departure from the village is merely the latest, most visible sign of continued turmoil.

See full article here

[ChefJayTay]

Village Bakery leaving The Barlow in Sebastopol four months after destructive flood

[ChefJayTay]

Nine businesses are suing for damages and previous flood prevention expenses.