More Dispatches from Disaster

I asked Linda what information she thought Cowlitz County residents needed to know about disaster response and recovery?

Don’t be apathetic. Have a plan. Don’t expect communication or emergency response to be available or reliable. Be able to survive on your own. Be prepared! (Where have I heard that before?) Just because we don’t have hurricanes or tornadoes definitely does not mean we do not have our share of disaster potential…earthquake, volcano, mudslides, flood…don’t underestimate the power of mother nature! The Cowlitz DEM and Red Cross have the information available. Pay attention to it! Use it! There were three different types of areas affected by the tornadoes. There were pockets of complete devastation. Survival was nothing short of a miracle. Nothing was salvaged but a few lives.

There were areas on the outskirts that had access to telephones, electricity, emergency response, etc. These survivors just needed to move to a motel or in with family for a few days, eat at restaurants, call the insurance, etc. There was huge area in between the two where disaster preparedness made all the difference in the world. These were hundreds of inaccessible neighborhoods where survivors needed several days worth of food, water, and impromptu shelter until roads could be cleared, cell phone service restored, etc. Many people were without contact to the outside world for 3, 4, sometimes 5 days. When the disaster subsides be ready to re-build on your own. Have insurance when possible. Keep your important records in a safe, water/fire-proof container. Appreciate relief efforts and government assistance but don’t expect it…resources are limited for everyone.

I asked Julia the same question:

People need to make sure they sign up with the Red Cross Safe and Well program so family knows where they are and that they are safe. there are many in joplin that have posted family that they still cannot find hoping to get a response.