I'm not against bridges, but I'm more and more convinced that we've got to look at the raging waters before we can build anything.

NPR: What Will Be African-Americans' Political Destiny?

Overall, they found that 53% of the failures came during floods, when raging waters undermine bridge footings or batter the structures with debris.

NPR: Study Answers Question of Why Bridges Collapse

I've kept them more or less in check, thinking they might affront people of color in this whole public desire to do some cultural exchanges - lay bridges across raging waters, and all that.

NPR: What Will Be African-Americans' Political Destiny?

When Irene brought torrential rains in August 2011, the lower sections of the dams couldn't be lifted on short notice and debris built up, causing the raging waters to carve new channels through the riverbanks.

WSJ: Homeowners sue NY over $4.6M in flood damage