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Cabin swept away by Skykomish River

by KING 5 News

KING5.com

Posted on January 17, 2011 at 10:59 PM

Updated Monday, Jan 17 at 11:26 PM

INDEX, Wash. – A two-story riverside cabin disappeared into the rushing waters of the north fork of the Skykomish River Monday.

"This morning, I heard the noise and the house just went into the river," said neighbor Don McDonald.

There were no reports of injuries.

Erosion along the river has worsened in recent years. Homeowners are getting more nervous. Don's wife, Arlene, says they've been trying to get the county to buy their property.

"When our septic system goes, the house will be condemned, then we have nothing," said Arlene.

A county councilman says he's sympathetic to the homeowners' plight, but he doesn't think it's right for taxpayers to pay for a solution.
 

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Comments: Displaying 1 - 9 of 9

Mayla said on August 15, 2011 at 6:56 PM

I agree. Taypayers should not pay. I see it everywhere, on the beach, close to the oceans.And even though Hurrican Katrina was a tragic event, people built on swamp land and don't expect to get flooded? People expect for the government to pay for everything. I've seen where many have built out in the middle of nowhere, and then they're crying because they don't have running water and a sewer system. Everyone wants to beat the system. I for one would love to have a house on the river or a house in the mountains. But are the taxpayers supposed to concentrate on your house when we have a forest fire or we are to kill the animals because they are too close to the house. People are idiots.

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beldock said on January 18, 2011 at 11:08 PM

why wouldn't they want tax payers to buy it????? we pay for everything else!!

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krismcm said on January 18, 2011 at 6:06 PM

Riprap is the only protection available for a river bank, but the cost is born by the property owner. Tax payers should NEVER pay for private homeowners who chose to build in a flood plain or on a river.

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laurela said on January 18, 2011 at 6:03 PM

Just so you know that cabin was built in the 60s, forty years ago. I grew up going there and the river was a good distance away (I would say about the distance of 1 1/2 city blocks). The river changed course dramatically . No one could foresee this when the entire neighborhood was developed. Entire towns and cities get flooded and receive aid. Do you hear people saying they don't deserve it, that taxpayers shouldn't help? We see environmental devastation in large numbers more and more often and have sympathy; just because the number of people effected is small doesn't change the tragedy. We have elderly people here who are victims of an unfortunate circumstance. I can't believe how callous these opinions are.

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yogibear said on January 18, 2011 at 5:28 PM

And they want taxpayers to buy their house because....

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feinstor said on January 18, 2011 at 12:04 PM

Building on river plains shouldn't be allowed. Until then, flood insurance should cover cleanup of debris washed downstream too; why should others have to pay to remove a septic tank that washed up on their bank?

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chuckstr76 said on January 18, 2011 at 11:56 AM

I agree, Why would the county want to buy your river front house that will eventually end up IN the river.

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gladimoved said on January 18, 2011 at 8:40 AM

I'm not familiar with what can be done along riverbanks, but is there nothing homeowners can do such as bulkheads or something like that to stop erosion? Perhaps that would disrupt the river's natural flow. I do agree taxpayers should not have to pay. It's one of the downfalls of living along a river; things can change very quickly.

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w7rkd said on January 18, 2011 at 7:51 AM

You would think after all the flooding around here that they would get a clue about not building a home near a river! Over a 50 year period the Skagit has move from one sied of the valley to the other side, it naturally meanders such as "all" rivers do! DUH!

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