As someone who lived in the wide path of destruction left by Ike until a few weeks ago, I've been following the storm very closely. I've been reading stories like this online all weekend in an attempt to stay informed and to make sure that the many friends I have in that area are all right. I also want to add that my father is a retired firefighter, which means that I tend to follow stories about emergency workers and firefighters very closely.
That said, in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, I am so angry at the people in the storm's direct path (i.e. those in the outlying areas of Houston and Galveston Island) who decided to stay. It may be their right to stay and put their own lives at risk, but their decision to stay affects every single emergency worker in their town--people whose jobs necessitate that they put themselves in danger in order to save people who stupidly stayed.
Heed the warnings people. When you're told to leave, just do it. There is nothing in your home--no photograph, no memento, no nothing--that is worth your life, your loved ones' lives or the lives of any emergency worker who will have to put his or her life at risk to save you when you call 911 because you've suddenly realized you made the wrong choice.
3 comments:
I totally agree with you. Further, I feel like there should be some sort of penalty fine. People of Galveston had plenty of warning, time, and assistance to get out. Many stayed simply because they're stubborn. Authorities told them that no one would be able to help them during the storm if they stayed behind, and for many that was true.
Yet some of those rescued insist that, in a similar situation, they would stay behind again: "I was born here, raised here, etc." Fuckin' idiots.
In addition to risking the lives of the rescue workers, they're drawing much-needed resources away from recovery efforts. It's selfish and stupid.
And, as for the people who chose to stay with their young children--perhaps an evaluation of their fitness as parents is in order?
I agree with the last point. I also have one other thing to say to those who stay and then end up calling 911 mid- storm: survival of the fittest.
M:
They should have recorded your voice saying that, the first thing the caller hears on dialing the number. Followed by, we'll get to you if resources allow....
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