|
|
In Florida, we know hurricanes. We know what they can do and we
know how to prepare for them. We watched in horror as our
brothers and sisters in the Gulf States were displaced and
damaged by hurricanes Katrina and Rita in what is undoubtedly
the worst hurricane season on record for that region. We
wondered why it seemed to be so difficult for them to evacuate
and get to safety. When a hurricane threatens South Florida our
evacuation plans go into effect almost automatically.
Systematically we evacuate the entire Florida Keys on a single
road. Our keys population is nowhere near the population of New
Orleans or Houston and we do not have a network of
super-highways to evacuate them, only a single road moving north
to Miami before our highways become a factor.
So why do our evacuations work? Simple! We have a plan. A plan
developed and implemented by Local and State authorities, not
the Federal Government or its agencies. After all, we choose to
live here, so it is our responsibility to manage our needs under
any condition. We do look for help from the Federal Government
after the storm in rebuilding under-insured areas, to help
restore roads and utilities and provide low interest loans for
affected businesses. This kind of help takes weeks and months to
reach all affected people. And it only comes when States and
Local governments make the request. And to make those requests
the Federal system expects that the State and Local governments
provide a viable plan to make sure that mistakes are not
repeated and that Federal Aid is not just a temporary fix.
Preparing a hurricane plan for an individual or an entire region
requires information from many sources and many experts. A great
place to start to gather information and sources is the
Hurricane Tracking page from www.ServicesInFlorida.com. Here you
will also find links to individuals and organizations that can
help you with your plan.
P.A. Yager South Florida resident and webmaster and Survivor of
hurricane Andrew, 1992.
About the author:
Resident and Webmaster in South Florida. Owner of Services In
Florida, a Web Portal for Floridians.
|
|
|
