I know people need help, but what ever happened to self reliance? Here in Arkansas, they were all over the radio and TV about how bad this storm was going to be. Some folks made no preparations, then whine about how bad it is. If you are waiting on FEMA or any government entity to help because you lack common sense, you are in for a long wait. That said, and to be fair, when we have had tornadoes, FEMA has been here quickly, and given good service. It may be the massive scope of this storm. It does appear they could have a better attitude, though.
1. Batteries for the radio. Not those rechargeable, but real batteries. Or a wind up radio.
2. Cellphones won't work. Landline did work, but in the case of Kentucky lines are physically down. No phone.
3. Water. Our city had/has its own water plant. They had a generator to pump clean water. Rest of the cities didn't. Some areas ran out of water because of no pumps.
4. Not all my power comes from one source. Gas & Electric. Gas furnace, electric baseboards to supplement, fireplace.
We were warned quite profusely this storm was coming. My preparations included cooking up a roast that would last several days, checking the water supply anyway, locating and pulling out extra blankets, thermal underwear etc., checking the wood supply. We were ready for uncomfortable, but cozy. How many days backup? 7 days. After that cabin fever sets in.
Under normal winter-storm conditions a three day backup is recommended. Major ice storm conditions are very, very unpredictable. That storm hit Tues/Weds. for Kentucky with lots of ice. If people followed the routine...they are out of supplies.
The challenge for FEMA at this point is what? Moving people out of areas that are not going to be/have restored power for a few more weeks. FEMA can't restore power. That is up to the power company, FEMA can only run or manage the shelters. Other than that there is really very little they can do in the case of an ice storm.
Self reliance doesn’t matter in this case. We have ice storms also. I don’t need or want federal aid. The burr under the saddle is the fact that a cesspool in south Louisiana is more important than other regions. Why do they get the preferential treatment?. Don’t we bleed as well?