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Public urged to plan for storms

A meeting of Florida's emergency planners stresses the importance of preparing for the hurricane season.

By TAMARA LUSH
Published May 10, 2006

FORT LAUDERDALE - People should be able to care for themselves without government assistance for 72 hours after a hurricane, Gov. Jeb Bush said Wednesday during a meeting of the state's emergency planners.

Emergency officials need to focus on the truly needy - the elderly and the disabled - not people who refuse to forgo the comforts of modern life when the power goes out, Bush said.

"It gets harder when people line up to get ice and water in their Lexuses and Mercedes when Publix is open one block away," said Bush, referring to Hurricane Wilma last year, when people in South Florida complained about the pace of ice and water delivery in the hours after the storm.

"No government in the world can respond to an emergency if people are completely unprepared," Bush said.

More than 3,200 emergency planners from around the state attended the annual Governor's Hurricane Conference, held at the Broward County Convention Center.

For four days, police, fire, paramedics and emergency managers attended workshops and training sessions on how to better prepare for the upcoming hurricane season, which starts June 1. Also on hand were dozens of vendors selling everything from meals-ready-to-eat to tricked-out recreational vehicles that can be used as command centers.

Bush and National Hurricane Center director Max Mayfield stressed that Floridians need to embrace a "culture of preparedness."

As Mayfield recited statistics and details of the 2005 season - which had a record 28 named storms - he stressed that residents should not become comfortable with his landfall forecasts.

"I'm really concerned that the bar is set high, that people are going to expect that every time," he said.

Mayfield chided Florida Keys residents, because only 5 percent of people living on the island chain evacuated during Hurricane Wilma.

"I know there is hurricane fatigue in many places," Mayfield said. "I can understand. I think I have it."

Bush received several bursts of applause from the emergency planners, especially after he ticked off a list of Legislature-approved hurricane bills.

Among the highlights: money to strengthen emergency operations centers, adding spaces in shelters and a program to inspect homes for hurricane readiness.

Bush also touted a $6.5-million plan to warehouse water and ice in locations around the state.

Gary Vickers, Pinellas County's emergency management director, said local residents will benefit from the recently passed hurricane legislation. For instance, special needs shelters will now have generators, and the county will receive new storm surge maps, something that hasn't happened since the late '80s.

Vickers echoed Bush's remarks about being prepared for what could be another active hurricane season.

"If you're not prepared, start," Vickers said. "Don't throw your hands up in the air and say it's too late. It's never too late. Until the storm hits, then it's too late."

Tamara Lush can be reached at 727-893-8612 or at lush@sptimes.com

[Last modified May 10, 2006, 21:47:46]