The Lesson Learned

It's been a hair over 2 weeks since Katrina hit the Gulf Coast. As the pieces are slowly being picked up, there has been some good news to go with the bad news. According to the various news reports I've read & seen, the water is being pumped out of the flooded areas of New Orleans faster than originally anticipated. The number of bodies found has been lower than originally expected. The port and airport are open and operating at a limited capicity. All good news in a bad situation.

What have we learned from all this? There sould be one, and only one, lesson of paramount importance.

We have to be ready to take care of ourselves. You cannot depend on government at any level. If the "powers that be" say it is a good idea to evacuate, get the hell out. If you decide to stay, you better have what is necessary to take care of yourself for an extended period of time. If you haven't done that, go. Fast. Get out and come back for what's left later. If you cannot eveacuate yourself, NOW is the time to make plans with others to get you out of an area should an evacuation be advised or ordered.

There are far too many resources available on the 'net for what you should put ina disaster kit. I'm not going to try and list them here. But get yourself busy, get it together and get those plans made.

Best wishes.