Wednesday, January 11, 2006
History: what we used to believe about preparedness
In 2005 many things changed suddenly.
At the end of August, hurricane Katrina struck Louisiana, Mississippi and other parts of the Gulf coast. It was one of the largest disasters to hit the US in many years.
The aftermath changed several basic presumptions we had up to that point.
Here is what we used to assert about personal emergency planning:
one: In 24 or 36 or 72 hours, it would be over and the cavlary ( Red Cross, FEMA, polie, rescue, other) would come to get us.
two: That 3 days of food and water is sufficent.
three: That the goverment would act quickly to help.
four: That we could get useful information on what we should do.
five: That if our house became un-usable, we would be moved to a shelter and there would be provided with beds, food and help.
In Katrina, none of this turned out to be true. It was a shocking wake-up call to those of us who had planned for an event just like this.
At the end of August, hurricane Katrina struck Louisiana, Mississippi and other parts of the Gulf coast. It was one of the largest disasters to hit the US in many years.
The aftermath changed several basic presumptions we had up to that point.
Here is what we used to assert about personal emergency planning:
one: In 24 or 36 or 72 hours, it would be over and the cavlary ( Red Cross, FEMA, polie, rescue, other) would come to get us.
two: That 3 days of food and water is sufficent.
three: That the goverment would act quickly to help.
four: That we could get useful information on what we should do.
five: That if our house became un-usable, we would be moved to a shelter and there would be provided with beds, food and help.
In Katrina, none of this turned out to be true. It was a shocking wake-up call to those of us who had planned for an event just like this.
