Hurricane Harvey

[Minimalist]

NPR is reporting 17 deaths in Houston, and a chemical plant at risk of exploding due to no way to cool the volatile products stored onsite. Two dams have been opened by ACoE to prevent failure.

Those poor folk aren't out of the woods yet ... and East Texas/Louisiana are getting hit as I type.

Now honestly.  Is anyone surprised by this?

http://www.ibtimes.com/political-capital...fety-rules

Texas Republicans Helped Chemical Plant That Exploded Lobby Against Safety Rules

The French company whose Houston-area chemical plant exploded twice on Thursday successfully pressed federal regulators to delay new regulations designed to improve safety procedures at chemical plants, according to federal records reviewed by International Business Times. The rules, which were set to go into effect this year, were halted by the Trump administration after a furious lobbying campaign by plant owner Arkema and its affiliated trade association, the American Chemistry Council, which represents a chemical industry that has poured tens of millions of dollars into federal elections.

The effort to stop the chemical plant safety rules was backed by top Texas Republican lawmakers, who have received big campaign donations from chemical industry donors.

I'd laugh but its too fucking painful.