Northern California Levee Failure -- 'Not If, But When'

"As rains pelt Northern California, threatening the 1,100 miles of levees that shield the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, government officials admit they have their fingers crossed that the system of flood barriers that has been starved for maintenance funding will survive the next few months and beyond without a disaster.

'Fortunately there have not been any serious breaks so far this year. However, under current conditions, it is not a question of if there will be a serious failure, but when,' was how Rep. Richard Pombo, R-Tracy, put it at a recent hearing in the powerful House Resources Committee that he chairs.

'Whether a major breach will occur is no longer even a question,' added Pombo's committee colleague, Rep. Dennis Cardoza, D-Merced.

'The question is, when will it occur and will we be prepared to handle it?'"