In 1993 the country was in a lather of concern about midwestern flooding that had killed 50 Americans and caused $20 billion in damages. Gerald E. Galloway, engineer and Army Corps of Engineers general, conducted a study finding that the   "1993 flood was a significant but not unprecedented rainfall-river event, and that such floods would probably occur again. It pointed out that people and property were at risk of flooding not only in the Midwest but across the country, and that many did not understand the hazard they faced."

And then, nothing happened. Galloway describes the national case of do-nothing in today's Washington Post. Although the 1993 report made a slew of recommendations, "Unfortunately, since then, the order of the day has been discussion, not action."

Meanwhile, the Des Moines Register reports today about the incredible losses suffered in the floods by some community libraries. (Photo above of a Cedar Rapids library.)