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> In Tennessee, jurisdictions can decide whether to opt in to building codes with earthquake provisions, while other states — like Missouri — don’t have state-w

> In Tennessee, jurisdictions can decide whether to opt in to building codes with earthquake provisions, while other states — like Missouri — don’t have state-wide building codes at all, though there are efforts to change that. I live on the other side of the state from New Madrid and can tell you, there's a 0% chance the Missouri state legislature passes a bill requiring earthquake proofing of buildings. You'd have an unending stream of people from outstate explaining how their little country town just can't afford to meet such codes, that it's government overreach, that the next quake could be hundreds of years from now... it'd never end. They're far, far more likely to pass a law saying cities like Kansas City and St. Louis can't force seismic-aware building codes on citizens.

losvedir 2y ago
I lived for a couple years in New Madrid county (pro tip for anyone reading: it's pronounced with the stress on the first syllable with an "a" like apple, btw), and I think this is right. But the people are also not entirely wrong: it's dreadfully poor, so adding extra cost to buildings for something that might happen in the next 50 years is a tough sell. I think people safe and sound and wealthy in California aren't really familiar with the perspective I saw there. It's like, what's the worst that can happen? You die? Tragedy and death are kind of expected and built in. People are generally very religious, a good number of people are in the military or at least have absorbed the idea that it's valorous to die for an ideal, and besides that are poor and don't really have health insurance and are accustomed to the the lingering idea of dying somewhat young. Before we even talk about building code for earthquakes, let's remember that a whole bunch of people are living in trailers or double-wides in a relatively active tornado zone! One of my wife's colleagues died in a tornado while we were there and it was scary and horrible. And there are no basements because the water table is so high, so even moderately sturdier construction like our apartment is still honestly a little dicey. Several times my wife and I were huddled in our bathroom wearing bicycle helmets and a mattress draped over us with the tornado sirens sounding. Nature is scary and ultimately it feels like there's just limits to what poor Southeastern Missouri can afford to do about it.
vundercind 2y ago
It’s true. Jefferson City’s favorite things are: 1) telling the two cities that are most of the state’s economy that they can’t have nice things, and 2) reversing successful ballot initiatives when the voters try to have nice things.
- s1artibartfast 2y ago
  There is an interesting phenomenon where people desire to push their views on other people dont like it. When this is the case I wonder if the level of governance selected is too high, and people could achieve their end goal with more local action.
  - vundercind 2y ago
    Blocking local action is precisely one of the two things Missouri loves to do.
JumpCrisscross 2y ago
> there's a 0% chance the Missouri state legislature passes a bill requiring earthquake proofing of buildings Never been near New Madrid, Missouri. But given its "per capita income...was $22,046" in 2020 and "about 14.80% of families and 21.0% of the population were below the poverty line" [1], I wouldn't be surprised if you put the town in a room, explained the risks, and put forward 0% financing for earthquake proofing, most would reject the offer. The money it would take to earthquake-proof New Madrid is almost certainly better spent on healthcare and education. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Madrid,_Missouri#Demographics https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Madrid,_Missouri#Demograph...
yawnxyz 2y ago
even places like Christchurch are hampered by building codes that drive up building costs. It's a real thing
hn72774 2y ago
Building codes are usually not retroactive.

losvedir 2y ago

I lived for a couple years in New Madrid county (pro tip for anyone reading: it's pronounced with the stress on the first syllable with an "a" like apple, btw), and I think this is right. But the people are also not entirely wrong: it's dreadfully poor, so adding extra cost to buildings for something that might happen in the next 50 years is a tough sell. I think people safe and sound and wealthy in California aren't really familiar with the perspective I saw there. It's like, what's the worst that can happen? You die? Tragedy and death are kind of expected and built in. People are generally very religious, a good number of people are in the military or at least have absorbed the idea that it's valorous to die for an ideal, and besides that are poor and don't really have health insurance and are accustomed to the the lingering idea of dying somewhat young. Before we even talk about building code for earthquakes, let's remember that a whole bunch of people are living in trailers or double-wides in a relatively active tornado zone! One of my wife's colleagues died in a tornado while we were there and it was scary and horrible. And there are no basements because the water table is so high, so even moderately sturdier construction like our apartment is still honestly a little dicey. Several times my wife and I were huddled in our bathroom wearing bicycle helmets and a mattress draped over us with the tornado sirens sounding. Nature is scary and ultimately it feels like there's just limits to what poor Southeastern Missouri can afford to do about it.

vundercind 2y ago

It’s true. Jefferson City’s favorite things are: 1) telling the two cities that are most of the state’s economy that they can’t have nice things, and 2) reversing successful ballot initiatives when the voters try to have nice things.

s1artibartfast 2y ago
There is an interesting phenomenon where people desire to push their views on other people dont like it. When this is the case I wonder if the level of governance selected is too high, and people could achieve their end goal with more local action.
- vundercind 2y ago
  Blocking local action is precisely one of the two things Missouri loves to do.

JumpCrisscross 2y ago

> there's a 0% chance the Missouri state legislature passes a bill requiring earthquake proofing of buildings Never been near New Madrid, Missouri. But given its "per capita income...was $22,046" in 2020 and "about 14.80% of families and 21.0% of the population were below the poverty line" [1], I wouldn't be surprised if you put the town in a room, explained the risks, and put forward 0% financing for earthquake proofing, most would reject the offer. The money it would take to earthquake-proof New Madrid is almost certainly better spent on healthcare and education. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Madrid,_Missouri#Demographics https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Madrid,_Missouri#Demograph...

yawnxyz 2y ago

even places like Christchurch are hampered by building codes that drive up building costs. It's a real thing

hn72774 2y ago

Building codes are usually not retroactive.