#102 Postby Beam » Thu Aug 23, 2007 7:46 pm
For what it's worth, I agree with tolkaram's points. Certainly, anyone has the right to live wherever they want, but it's something that you are responsible for, and you have to imagine and be ready for the worst. I live in the St. Louis metro area, and if an EF4-5 tornado strikes, the place is going to look like a hydrogen bomb went off. I can imagine it, and I'm prepared for it; and if-- nay, when the New Madrid seismic zone produces a major earthquake, I expect extensive damage in my area. So much so, that I have a good chunk of money saved up for the sole purpose of recovering from that particular event. See where I'm going with this?
I don't think tolkaram is telling anyone that they're asking for disaster, or that they're somehow to blame for what happened in Katrina, but the simple, sad fact is that much of the US coastline has been altered for human living in a way that's very dangerous, whether it be a hurricane on the Gulf or Atlantic coasts, or a tsunami on the Pacific coast. These are disasters that, unfortunately, will happen one day, and the fact that Katrina was such a colossal shock to so many people is a big problem.
Every location has it's vulnerabilities, but the Atlantic and Gulf coasts are a special case because of the development boom that's occured there in the past forty or so years, with blatant disregard to what may happen when a hurricane strikes. These areas are, in fact, a disaster waiting to happen. If you want to live there, by all means do so -- but be reponsible enough to know what might happen and prepare for the worst case scenario (which Katrina wasn't, by the way). As tolkaram said, every time someone describes the devastation down there as 'shocking" or "unprecedented", it highlights a major problem with coastal preparedness and, indeed, the mindset of the average American citizen.
Be ready to see a major American city get mostly or completely destroyed. Be ready to see your home inundated or even leveled. Be ready to lose power for weeks. Be ready to use a litter box. Be ready to watch an otherwise civilized society break down and turn to crime. Be ready to see cars on top of homes. Be ready to face all manner of creatures in your home and yard. Be ready for a lot more than some wind and rain.
I'm not saying to expect these things, mind you, but prepare for them as though they were a very real possibility, because sadly, when you live in a hurricane zone, they are. In a fair and just world, the government and your insurance company would be right there for you as soon as possible to give you the help you so desperately need. Unfortunately, the world isn't fair and just and it's on the shoulders of every mature individual living in a hurricane-prone area to be prepared for hell on earth and then some, and get involved. I'm not trying to be Mr. Doom and Gloom here, but if you can't accept what could very possibly happen to you one day, you should probably find a less dangerous place to live. Self-education and preparation for the risks of living in any given area is crucial for that area's residents.
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