[at-l] Natural Disasters and Solutions to Future Problems

[jbullar1 at twcny.rr.com (Jim Bullard)]

At 08:30 AM 9/7/2005 -0400, Bror8588@aol.com wrote:
>In a message dated 9/7/2005 8:10:03 AM Eastern Daylight Time, 
>jbullar1@twcny.rr.com writes:
>A lot of the agony in New Orleans (and
>elsewhere along the Gulf Coast) could have been avoided if there were
>hurricane proof shelters already there stocked with food and water for a
>week. It wouldn't have been a matter of how to get it there quickly from
>somewhere else. It would only be a distribution problem within the city.
>
>It is apparent that the flooding of the city due to the breach of the 17th 
>Street Dike (and perhaps another) was the culprit.  The city was fairly 
>dry until that happened.  If there were storage of food and drinking water 
>that may have helped or it may not have, depending upon a proper 
>distribution plan.  It seems that the local government failed in this 
>regard (distribution and planning for catastrophe).
>
>Not to blame the victims because how could anyone know the circumstances 
>that would ensue, but there has been a message broadcast in the NY 
>Metropolitan Area (following 9/11) that each family should have a "go 
>bag," that would provide readiness for escape from a disaster. If every 
>family had storage of potable water it would also have aided in this 
>disaster.  But not every family is able (financially, and discipline wise) 
>to do this.  The next two levels of society also failed to store basic 
>survival items.  Community Centers Parish wide or on a smaller scale and 
>City-wide implementation of survival stores were non existent.  Hikers 
>might have filtering equipment and dried foods, etc., to manage for a few 
>days and that would last until government institutions begin to 
>work.  Valuable lessons from hiking groups and individual people who 
>prepare will enable others to emulate the practices of those who survive 
>in the woods for days at a time.
>
>The evacuation in the face of a Class IV or V hurricane should have been 
>organized long before a storm arrives.  This should have been done for 
>confined persons (Nursing Homes, Hospitals, Jails, Prisons, Residential 
>Schools, etc.) and for those unable to leave because of a lack of funds 
>and transportation.

An organization like Civil Defense could have the role of educating people 
about what they need to do to prepare. If every household had 5 gallons of 
water per person + several days supply of canned food on hand that would 
give relief workers a buffer to get into the affected area.

Of course there are other lessons to be learned as pointed out in this 
article from the Christian Science Monitor 
<http://csmonitor.com/2005/0907/p09s01-coop.html>, a theme that is near and 
dear to the hearts of hikers/outdoors enthusuiasts.