Asking, even ordering, someone to evacuate is no guarantee that they will do so is the gist of this study by the Harvard School of Public Health. Well, I could have told you that without ever picking up a phone. I'm not really sure what the mystery was.
For one thing, evacuation has taken on a whole new meaning since Hurricane Katrina. It used to mean secure your house, pack for a day or two, and then come home and clean up the mess. Now it means, "OMG, whatever I can't take with me is probably lost forever." It also means massive, overwhelming traffic jams, even with contraflow in place in a timely manner. Here's the kicker: You may go through all of that mind-numbing panic and fairly significant expense ... for nothing. Even with all of the technology at our disposal, hurricanes are still unpredictable. There are also the people that did evacuate and whose homes were left with minor storm damage only to have them looted and/or vandalized. There are people who would die protecting their things. "23 percent of people in Katrina-affected areas" and "27 percent of coastal residents in eight states" would likely not evacuate. Look at these evacuees in Iowa and multiply the number of people mentioned by at least 10 if a hurricane hits a small Gulf coast area and by 1000 or so if one hits New Orleans again. Federal/State/Local emergency planner is not a job I'd want.
42 days until football season ...
Quote of the Day
We're from the Midwest. We're tough.
Dan Voss
Blog of the day here.
Quote from said blog: "But in the meantime, I am going to unleash our 25th version of demotivational posters for you to enjoy. Consider it a b-day gift from us...."
I don't envy any of you in the southern coastal regions. Hurricanes can wipe you out to easily
Just wanted to say thanks for the web page shout out.
Also wanted to let you know that I'm from Cedar Rapid and have a lot of friends that have lost their homes in the flood. We are tough and will make it through this.
Go Hawks!!!!