Return to Article: Hurricanes have little influence on citizen preparedness, report finds

By Chris Strohm cstrohm@govexec.com November 18, 2005
  • 13582

    First, it's a little hard to believe that the incredibly large number of people in New Orleans who didn't own sufficient transportation to get out of the hurricane's path would devote any additional or even windfall income to disaster preparedness.

    So what comprises hurricane preparedness? You have two options: Get out of the way or hunker down.

    Bug out: Some those who may receive some additional money may buy reliable transportation. Should we buy a vehicle for everyone there who doesn't have one? Does that equate to hurricane preparedness in the minds of FEMA or the rest of the country? Don't think so. And then, what about all the problems with exit strategies and looters?

    Hunker down: Doesn't seem to do much good to store food, water, or emergency funds you don't have if your home blows away.

    The rich? I'm not there but as a Midwesterner, I've educated myself on how I would prepare myself if I won the lottery. So, given budget is not a factor, what would I do? The only way that I'm aware of consists of fortifying your house. You can have the walls and windows reinforced against the wind, the roof strapped to the foundation, but what about floods? Would you elevate every building above the level of the lake and the surge tide?

    All of these options require MASSIVE money during the building (or rebuilding) process and I just don't see it coming when folks aren't getting paid what the flood insurance folks owe them.

    Civil defense preparedness: This is probably the only way to go. But, in light of past performance by the local government, this will depend on the federal government and, well, they haven't impressed me so far. Have they impressed you? The only thing I've truly seen come out of the Homeland Security push is bad governmental reforms and the astonishingly high level of squawking as they fight for territory and push blame.

    I wish those of you in New Orleans the best of luck rebuilding, but, I really think it's just a matter of time until this recurs. I'm not a gambler but what are the odds?

    Tip out.

    Tip Posted November 28, 2005 9:34 AM
  • 13520

    I can understand money being a problem but time? What are the lower income folks doing that they have no time to prepare for a hurricane? Regardless of your socio-economic level your priorities should change when one of these bad boys make its approach. You find the time to make the best preparation you are able to afford. You owe that to yourself and to your families.

    GovExec.com reader Posted November 21, 2005 9:26 AM

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Hurricanes have little influence on citizen preparedness, report finds
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