Lessons from Hurricanes - Galveston

Hurricane Katrina gave people some valuable lessons in emergency preparedness... including what to do (and not do) after a problem situation.

The lessons were not new to those who have been studying emergency preparedness, but the lessons must be re-learned by new generations and new groups of people as the years go by.

Now hurricanes Gustav and Ike have given new opportunities for learning. Folks in the New Orleans area learned their lesson from Katrina and evacuated promptly. While New Orleans did not bear the brunt of the storm - and the levies held - it was not missed by much, so evacuation was the proper procedure.

That evacuation was much smoother and more successful than the one relating to Katrina. See, humans can learn - if the stakes are high enough or we are motivated enough.

Of course, that learning was not transferred to the residents of Galveston and Houston. It seems incredible to those of us watching, that 40 percent (dangerously close to HALF!) of the residents of Galveston Island did not obey the evacuation order. It is even more amazing when you consider that Galveston Island is for all intents and purposes, at sea level. Unlike islands that are formed as a result of volcanic action, there are no mountains, hills, or elevated places on Galveston (except for what has been man-made). This virtually guarantees flooding when the seas are high (which happens in tropical storms and hurricanes.)

Of course, many of these people changed their minds when the storm actually hit and the water was entering their houses. And kept rising. Then they called for help. Of course, by that time, the hurricane winds were enveloping the island and rescue was impossible. That is bad enough, in my mind. But then, after surviving, many complained that rescue workers and "the government" were "unresponsive" and "uncaring".

Nothing about their own unpreparedness. Nothing about their own poor choices. Clearly, the blame belonged elsewhere.

They were fortunate that the storm softened just before landfall or they wouldn't be able to complain afterward.

There are other lessons for the rest of us and we will address those in upcoming postings.

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