Learning From Hurricane Katrina:
A Black Homeowners Guide To Protecting Yourself

The Hurricane Katrina stir
Can seem like a distant blur,
If we learn from others mistakes
Wise lessons from Katrina we'll take
To protect us should another Katrina occur.

 

As we approach the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, the largest natural disaster in  U.S history I find it necessary to look back at lessons learned. Especially if you're an African-American homeowner.

The reason? Because many homeowners who loss homes, family members and jobs continue to suffer from a lack of Government help and support.

In this week's newsletter let's review the lessons that we can take from Hurricane Katrina and use them to protect our home, family and sense of well-being.

Two years after the biggest disaster in American history there's lessons we can learn and problems we can avoid should disaster, God forbid, hit an area we live in.

To remind you how far behind our Federal, State and local governments still are in avoiding another Katrina type response debacle, read a recent White House fact sheet. Dated February 23, 2006.

 

“Today, The Administration Released Its Review Of The Federal Response To Hurricane Katrina.

The President's charge to evaluate the Federal government's response to the storm resulted in the report and recommendations released today by the Administration,

The Federal Response to Hurricane Katrina: Lessons Learned.

The product of an extensive review, led by the President's Homeland Security Advisor Fran Townsend.

The Report identifies deficiencies in the Federal government's response. And lays the groundwork for transforming how the Nation - from every level of government, to the private sector, to individual citizens and communities - pursues a real and lasting vision of emergency preparedness and response.

The Lessons Learned Report Assesses The Federal Response, Identifies Lessons Learned, And Recommends Appropriate Corrective Actions.

The Report identifies the systemic problems in Federal emergency preparedness and response revealed by Hurricane Katrina - and the best solutions to address them.

Where actions at the State and local level had bearing on Federal decisions or operations, they are included in order to provide full context. The Lessons Learned report includes:

- 17 lessons the Executive Branch has learned after reviewing and analyzing the response to Katrina.

- 125 specific recommendations to the President, which have been reviewed by relevant Federal departments and agencies, and will now enter an implementation process.

- 11 critical actions to be completed before June 1, 2006 - the first day of the next hurricane season.

Hurricane Katrina Was A Deadly Reminder That We Can And Must Do Better In Responding To Emergencies.

Hurricane Katrina and the subsequent sustained flooding of New Orleans exposed significant flaws in our national preparedness for catastrophic events and our capacity to respond to them.

 We Are Not As Prepared As We Need To Be At All Levels: Federal, State, Local, Community, And Individual.

Hurricane Katrina obligates us to re-examine how the Federal government is organized to address the full range of potential catastrophic events - both natural and man-made.

 

I didn't include the whole report; this is enough to show you how much work the Federal Government itself admits it needs to do. If you want to read the entire report it's located at http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/02/20060223.html

In the spirit of this White House fact sheet I've also created my own lessons learned fact sheet. In addition, with solutions you should take heed to if you're a homeowner, especially an African-American homeowner.

I. Warning: The federal government by it's own admission knows it has a long way to go to confidently avoid another Katrina response or lack of one.

Lesson Learned: You can't depend on the Government to bail you out in a timely manner in case of disaster.

Solution: Be sure you're properly insured with a reputable insurance company.

 

II. Warning: Two years later many homeowners live in mobile homes provided by the U.S government. Those mobile homes, recently found to give off harmful chemical vapors, has contributed to cancer and other illnesses. And to top it off executives in the government tried to cover it up.

Lesson Learned: When people in the government try to cover something bad up - that usually leaves the people they serve uncovered and exposed.

Solution: Try to avoid or at best get out from under depending on the government to take care of you as soon as possible. Because that's not what they do best.

 

 

III. Warning: A big problem with Hurricane Katrina experienced by African-Americans in New Orleans was communication, logistics and implementation (federal official words not mine).

Lesson Learned: You can't always depend on the Government to provide the help you need, when you need it in a disaster.

It often takes different agencies effectively communicating with each other. Effective communication among different agencies of the Government? That's something most key agencies admit seldom happens as normally as it should.

Solution: Be Prepared to survive at least 2 - 3 days on your own in case of a natural disaster or emergency. Have an emergency kit available, water, first aid supplies and non-perishable food for you and your family.

 

 

Conclusion

I hope these lessons help to at least remind you to take more responsibility for your own protection by keeping informed, asking tough questions and doing your own preparation.

Yes, I will continue to monitor the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and it's people because there are still more lessons to learn. The lessons we learn now can help to protect us in the future. Please take a minute out of your day today to remember and pray for the victims of Hurricane Katrina ... Thank you!

Question or comments on this weeks newsletter Click Here!

Next week I'll show you Five Things To Do If Your Home Is Losing Value.
Have a good week!

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