Dear Editor:
Residents who live along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts know the truth all too well; disasters can and do happen, and the misery and destruction they bring are all too real.
As we approach the start of another hurricane season, it’s important to remember that destruction from these storms come not just from the wind, but from the water as well. Hurricane Floyd underscored this lesson. Floyd’s rains inundated neighborhoods from Florida to New England with minimal wind damage. Only when residents are as ready for the water as they are for the wind can there be true prevention.
June 1 begins my first hurricane season as the director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). While I have yet to stand in the midst of hurricane destruction, I have seen what strong winds and high water can do to whole towns. When I visited Hoisington, Kansas, after a strong tornado blew through in April, the words that came first to my mind were “war zone.” Houses were reduced to splinters and cars were so twisted as to be unrecognizable. That month I saw the special tragedy that flood waters bring. All along the Mississippi River I saw swirling, muddy water washing away people’s dreams. They’re called disasters for a reason, and the effect on people’s lives is truly disastrous.
I’m honored that President Bush asked me to head FEMA, an agency with a great reputation for helping people, and finding ways save lives and property. The President and I have great respect for FEMA’s employees and the success of the agency in recent years. The Bush administration is committed to maintaining this high standard and making it an even better model of good government.
FEMA is ready to help any communities hit by this year’s storms. But we’d much prefer it if there weren’t any communities that needed our help, and we believe strongly that hurricane preparedness and risk reduction are shared responsibilities. What does FEMA recommend you do? Four things:
Know how to stay safe during a hurricane. Discuss with your family what to do should a hurricane come ashore. Make sure that children know to stay inside even when the winds die down, the eye may just be passing over and the storm will shortly resume. Also review your evacuation routes and plan a contingency route, and remember never to drive through high water. As little as six inches of water can sweep a car away.
Determine your risk. If you live on the coast or in a vulnerable area, you may already know you’re at risk for wind and/or water. But if you’re inland, you may think you’re safe. You may not be. Many of those communities flooded by Floyd were inland, too. Find out if you’re in a flood plain or flood-vulnerable area by contacting your local emergency management office, insurance agent or by going to www.fema.gov and clicking on the Know Your Risk icon.
If you find out you’re in a flood-risk location, take action to reduce potential water damage. Consider obtaining flood insurance, raising utilities or appliances, especially in a basement, to higher ground, and if your risk is especially severe, taking more drastic action. Elevating homes has saved many residents from hurricane flooding.
Keep out the wind. If you can keep your roof on, your windows intact and your garage door in place, you stand a good chance of finding your home standing even after a severe hurricane. Hurricane straps and hurricane shutters are cost-effective measures. Consult a building contractor, home improvement store or the FEMA website for specifics.
Above all, stop and think and ask yourself, are my family and my community ready for a hurricane? If the answer is no, do something about it now. When FEMA arrives immediately after a hurricane, all we can help is with recovery. You can do prevention now. It’s not too late to take action.
Joe M. Allbaugh
FEMA Director