The Lessons of Hurricane Katrina

Will we learn the lessons?

I have been watching, like most of you I’m sure, the unfolding tragedy along the gulf coast and particularly New Orleans. I have been shocked and disturbed by the images that keep repeating themselves on TV.

Now as the days drag on and people who are still stranded in New Orleans begin to die from lack of clean drinking water, food, and medicine, it almost seems hopeless. The darker side of humanity has reared its ugly head. It is amazing what people will do to survive when they have no hope of rescue. It is also amazing how quickly the gangs stepped up their activities following the destruction of Katrina.

Emerging from this story is a lesson for all us, not only in this country, but everywhere. If you live in Florida or California, I have no doubt that you have read and been told that you should have a disaster kit in your home always ready in case trouble strikes. If you live in other parts of the country, you may remember Mr. Ridge of Homeland Security telling us back at the turn of the century, that we should have three days of food and water on hand.

How many of you listened then? Here is my point. Disaster can strike anywhere and at anytime. As we are witnessing live on television, right before our eyes, the government cannot always respond quickly. It is vital that we are prepared to take care of our families and ourselves for several days while waiting for help to arrive.

Such a disaster kit should at a minimum include enough food and water for your entire family for 5 days. I know, everyone says three days but look at New Orleans. We are starting into day 5 this morning and still there are about 30,000 folks stranded at the convention center with nothing to eat or drink.

In addition to food and water, you should seriously think about any medications that your or your family needs on a daily basis, some type of emergency lighting, a way to heat food and water, cash and personal hygiene products.

Beyond your home disaster kit, many experts believe you should also build and maintain a bug out kit. A bug out kit is simply and smaller version of your disaster kit packed in such a way that you can throw it into the trunk and get the heck out of Dodge. A couple of can of gas might be a critical addition to your bug out kit.

I know that this blog deals primarily with helping you protect your investments and retirement accounts, but what good is money if you aren’t around to spend it. It would indeed be a shame if we watch this disaster unfold before our eyes and learn nothing from it that could help prevent the loss of life the next time it happens.

In other news this morning, I read where the Canadian government has offered to send personnel to help with the rescue operations but have been firmly refused by our own government. Additionally, a group of urban search and rescue specialists from Vancouver were not allowed to enter the country by Homeland Security. I hope that this story is not true, but I fear it is.