In Wilma's wake, relief falls short, tempers shorter

Yahoo!News ^ | October 26, 2005 | Jamie Malernee

[mlc9852]

No power, no gas, no water--and for many, no help.

South Floridians began to comprehend the long-term affects of Hurricane Wilma on Tuesday, as it became increasingly clear that residents could spend the next few days, if not weeks, waiting in lines for basic supplies, coveting working showers and toilets, and in many cases, kicking themselves for underestimating the damage a Category 2 storm could bring.

[Travis McGee]

Three days is nothing. Millions of Floridians are looking at three WEEKS without power. That is an entirely different kettle of fish.

For example, 100s of thousands of elderly live in high rise condos, now without elevator service, and must struggle, step by step, up ten or more flights of stairs. This is to bring food needed to live home.

Don't smugly laugh at their plight, use it as a lesson for yourself. What if YOUR power were to go out for one month, how well would YOU do?

And it could happen, yes indeed, it could happen. Just imagine an EMP attack on the USA, and the grid down for weeks or months.

I don't think you'd be laughing, no, not one bit.

[ladyjane]

It's personal responsibility that has fallen short.

I am sick and tired of irresponsible people complaining that they're not being taken care of and stupid people who live in a hurricane zone who don't buy insurance.

[theDentist]

"...kicking themselves for underestimating the damage a Category 2 storm could bring."

Whaaaaaah! We were warned! We saw it on TV! TWICE!! And we stayed and didn't prepare. It's the President's fault! WHAAAAAAH!!

[FlingWingFlyer]

"...Tempers Shorter."

That must be why they always send in ice after a hurricane. To cool the whiners down.

"Where's my FEMA check!!!" These hurricane lotteries are really putting a hurt on the taxpayers.

[MizSterious]

During and after an ice storm a couple of years back, folks around here were without electricity for almost a month. We were on the generator for about 2 1/2 weeks here.

When I lived in New Orleans during the 60s, there was no power for weeks. In both cases, we managed, and we managed without whining about it.

In both cases, it was understood that living in certain places can come at a cost. In New Orleans, there was the danger of hurricanes. Here, it is the problem of being so isolated that help, if needed, is slow to arrive. In both cases, it was and is worth the risk.

If Floridans don't want to stand in lines for water, they can (a) fill containers before the storm comes, or (b) move inland.

[verity]

Tough!

[rep-always]

I agree with you 100%. I live in South Florida. I lost my home during Hurricane Andrew and rebuilt. People are just depending on the government for everything. I can understand if your home is totally destroyed with everything in it. But the local officials are not Houdini and they tell everyone over and over to have water, non perishable products, etc., for every member of your family for a few days.

People need to be prepared and they are not because most of them are irresponsible and depending on the government for everything. When the gov. does not have bottles of water and ice on their footstep an hour after the hurricane they are complaining. Tough. Be responsible and stop the dependance on others.

Let them whine.

[mlc9852]

If they are complaining after not having electricity after a month, that is very different than complaining the day after the hurricane. And everyone who lives in Florida (unless they are just really stupid) knows that Florida has hurricanes. Either be prepared or live somewhere else. Don't expect the government to be your savior. And elderly people who live up high when they are physically unable to traverse stairs aren't too bright, either.

[rep-always]

Oh by the way, I own a generator and have gas to run it.
It is called being an adult.

[MizSterious]

The sick and elderly might, in fact, have a right to complain. Their plight is real. Those standing in lines for 10 hours could have spent half an hour filling water containers, another half an hour gassing up the old jalopy, and still another half an hour making sure there were enough canned goods to get them through. Let's see, an hour and a half vs. 10 hours...I guess for some, that's a real hard choice.

[Howlin]

Why should it be up to the government?

I'd bet money most of these people were the ones we saw on TV before the storm saying "Heck, no, I'm not leaving."

Frankly, I'm tired of hearing from them and about them.

[GOPJ]

Don't smugly laugh at their plight, use it as a lesson for yourself. What if YOUR power were to go out for one month, how well would YOU do?

Travis, I live in Florida and have gone more than three weeks without electricity during other hurricanes. There's a truth to living in Florida and the folks without food a day later are not living in anything even close to reality. But your point is well taken - and if there is an EMP attack, many will die. Homeland Security is letting us down when they don't tell the truth about what's going to happen. It would be like Florida, but a million times worse.

[cubreporter]

Oh what a cute photo of this boy and his pets. God love him for loving and caring for his pets like that. That photo should win some kind of award. It is precious to say the least. I just love it.

[dfwgator]

if not weeks, waiting in lines for basic supplies, coveting working showers and toilets, and in many cases, kicking themselves for underestimating the damage a Category 2 storm could bring.

This is the key point of this story, it is their fault, not the government's. Government can't alleviate the effects of stupidity.

[M1-A2]

I as one who has lived through all S. Fla storms since 1935 could care less for the Professional WHINERS. I also would not care if the power did not come back for a year. Of course then, my son who works for FPL, would get to see his kids more often. The only ones who have my sympathy are seniors and invalids who need help. If a person is able body and a sound mind was not ready with the necessities to sustain ones self and family, then QUITURBITCHING. To those who cannot adapt to FLORIDA find another home. M1-A1's Dad

[MizSterious]

Same here. Up to HERE with it all. In MS, where their houses were leveled by Katrina, they have griping rights. In Florida, they should just shut up.

[GOPJ]

Get rid of the price gouging laws on gasoline, and people will find a way to get gas to the stations. However, it costs a lot of money to move large quantities of gasoline into position after a major storm, and they can't pass those costs onto consumers. There's no reason for them to move more tanker trucks into position to get gas there quickly. The profit isn't there to justify the expense.

The cost of putting in an extra underground tank isn't worth it if you must charge the same price ... hmmmm, you might be on to something here. Maybe a compromise -- companies can charge up to 20% more during a storm. It gives an incentive to solve the problem, and holds back the worst of criminal type behavior (lots of generators stolen from people's homes during storms - black market prices for them are high...supplies low)

[Major_Risktaker]

Who are the people who expect Uncle Sam to take care of them and provide everything for them?

Communist...

[Trust but Verify]

Bad analogy. It isn't likely we are going to get advance warning of an EMP attack. Also, if you are elderly and live in a high-rise, you might want to be even MORE prepared for a storm in which it is almost certain your building will be without power. But those aren't the people in this story doing all the whining, are they?

[SE Mom]

No- it all gets back to the citizens themselves ignoring the strong suggestions made by their local and state governments.

I know- I live in Florida and they were warning us for days about this storm. If Max Mayfield said it once- he said it 10 times- "it may be a cat 2-but prepare for a cat 3 because we just don't know"