Has anyone else heard, as I have, serious predictions for Yellowstones' next disaster to be a volcano? I believe that was predicted soon after the Mt. St. Helens' mess.

I do agree that the 'doom and gloom prophets' sure do seem to enjoy frightening people with fears of even worse than the 'disaster of the moment'! And sure don't doubt that many politicians use them for politican gains, AND opportunities to add ever more regulations.

There is one regulation desperately needed, and that is not to pay for 'flood damage' for buildings in the very same location time after time. It is a flood plain, either design buildings on stilts with ground level area for garages and/or outdoor living areas like patio's, or turn the most flood prone areas into parks!

Admitting we did build a walk-out basement in an area that flooded in 1927, and water did get almost to the door about three years ago isn't easy. We should have gotten advice (sorry for the interruption) on how to better design additions to our house, originally two old  claim shacks to which my in-laws added a kitchen and bath with 'real running water' after we had a couple of kids. Two more kids and we were out of room, so we basically added a house to that addition, later tearing down the original part and replacing it with a family room and garage. The part with the walk-out basement on one side should have been a split level on the 'higher ground level' on the opposite side of the first addition. I went with the best view, so have had the flood worries. However, if we were to get the 1927 type flood, the entire basement of bedrooms, sewing and laundry rooms would be full of water...... Guess the 'blessing' of having the more prevalent drought years have 'saved' us from major flood damage.

mrj