Across the world there are disasters and when they happen the government of all levels open the piggy bank and ensure the people will get through the disaster. On a personal level, it is your rainy day fund or something of that nature. Governments have resources backed by taxes and if desired they can marshal those resources to bring things to what is considered normal.

In an article by Lea Skene and Brian Witte of the Associate Press, in March a freighter hit a support of the bridge and the bridge fell on the ship and into the shipping channel in Baltimore, Maryland. The port has over the years become the leading bridge to import and export cars and farm machinery or very important to the manufacturing industry across the US.

The first step towards recovery was the use of $60 million in federal emergency funds to open 3 smaller channels to have some ships use the port.

When the port was shut down, thousands of longshoremen, truckers and small businesses were affected by the collapse. State officials helped establish several relief programs to keep people employed and business afloat in the aftermath.

Officials estimated the salvage operations will cost up to $75 million, while the Coast Guard has spent $24 million to open the main channel. A new bridge is estimated to cost $2 billion, funding is still awaiting approval from Congress.

The shipping channel in Baltimore is now about 50 feet deep and 400 feet wide, although in is widest area it is 700 feet wide. The depth and width is enough to accommodate the largest commercial vehicles.

Linking to dividend paying stocks, we all know that disaster will and do happen, and when they happen on a large level the government is often willing and able to help mitigate the worst of the disaster effects. The important element is it takes time and people will be affected. The good news is the resources that are available to help bring back and likely improve the situation, in a disaster many things can be improved particularly if the federal government is paying the bill.

There are more questions than answers, till the next time – to raising questions.