Posted on 01/15/2007 3:13:43 PM PST by blam
Rural U.S. areas better disaster ready
CHAMPAIGN, Ill., Jan. 15 (UPI) -- A University of Illinois study suggests rural U.S. areas are better prepared for disasters such as storms, earthquakes and terrorism than are urban areas.
However, the study showed although rural residents may be more directly involved in responding to crisis, their location makes them more vulnerable.
Assistant Professor Courtney Flint and student Joanne Rinaldi interviewed 20 emergency coordinators across Illinois to determine what they are doing, what disasters they're prepared for and what they do between disasters.
"What we've learned so far is that in rural communities there is a tradition of being more self-reliant," said Flint. "They're off the grid, so that makes them check on each other more, but they are also uniquely situated, closer in some ways to the physical environment and more isolated, making them uniquely vulnerable."
While people in urban communities ask questions about liability, Flint says rural dwellers say, "We can't wait around for funding. If we need bandages, we'll just start ripping up old bed sheets."
"Farm families have to keep going," said Flint. "They are more prepared for disaster. They have generators, kerosene heaters, snow plows and other equipment."
I have close family living in New Madrid County, Missouri. They are as "ready" as anyone can be.
I think the first one after you dig your way out of the rubble is, turn off the gas.
That's probably because us hicks are all armed to the teeth.
Yep. I'm going to do some reloading in the garage tonight too.
How do I get in on these "studies"? Hell! I coulda told 'em the findings without leaving my house...
I'd much rather be "isolated" in the middle of the wilderness than unable to get out of a big city.
1- Terrorists wouldn't waste their nuke on a cow pasture.
2- There are no skyscraper pieces to fall on your head.
3- It's dark and quiet at night with stars.
4- Intruders in cars are obvious.
5- You can pee in the backyard.
6- You can shoot in the backyard.
7- Your neighbors actually know you and help you.
8- There is no homeowners association.
9- There are plenty of places to hide things.
10- You can have real dogs.
There was a thread a while back that had a post as to what do I need, and the thread was a good recap and a lot of FReepers added their ideas as well. It'd be nice to find it and bump it.
M2C
Honestly, if you're okay by yourself out where you are and self sufficient then it would be best to stay put, let the "rats in the box" aka "the big city" have at each other... the government hates people that are independant like this though... it goes against everything they learned from the Communists on how to control the populace en mass, keep them closer to you in the big cities.
It's called being self reliant.
Actually, it's mostly just common sense.
It's so quiet in our house that house guests can't get to sleep.
I think that was UtahGirl's list.
Everything you said was 'right on'!!
Yup. I had some new renters (a young couple) call me one night asking if I'd come over and make some noise...they couldn't go to sleep it was so quiet.
Including our Sunday go to meetin' teeth. :)
Then you're miles ahead of the majority in this country.
Proverbs 27:12
A sensible man watches for problems ahead and prepares to meet them. The simpleton never looks, and suffers the consequences.
Proverbs 13: 16
A wise man thinks ahead; a fool doesn't, and even brags about it!
Oh.... so you're one of THOSE. *chuckle*
"...rural U.S. areas are better prepared for disasters ..."
We're also better armed than our liberal big city cousins. We eat better, we're smarter, better looking, stronger, more independent and we don't stink of rotting sex organs.
Plus we have mine shafts crawling with blind rats we throw liberals down if they don't behave.
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