Well, I just got back into town last night after taking my first semi-vacation in years. I think I might have enjoyed it a bit more if it weren't for all the devastation caused by Katrina.
As I am sure most of you know (and are probably tired of hearing it), I might know a little something about surviving natural disasters like hurricanes and flooding. So, here is my meager 2¢ on the matter.......
We can bicker all we want about who's to blame, but it doesn't put one bit of food in the mouth of victim. It doesn't provide one stitch of clothing. It doesn't provide any moral support to those who need it.
There'll be plenty of time for pointing fingers and scoring political points later on. Right now, people need help.
I can tell you what the victims are going to have to deal with and it isn't going to be pretty.
They will be going through an intense range of emotions. Fear. Anger. Joy. Disgust. Self-Pity. And so on.
Once the situation stablizes, many are going to find out just what their insurance policies are worth. Those who's homes that suffered roof damage or worse will have less difficulty recovering than those who's homes were simply flooded.
The lucky ones will be those who's homes were completely obliterated by the storm or by fire.
Those who's homes were simply flooded whether they were insured or not will be entering a whole new kind of Hell.
For those who did not have flood insurance, they will basically have three choices - file bankruptcy; simply pony up the money and start over again; accept a loan from the Government.
I won't say much about the first two, but I have plenty to say about the third.
BE CAREFUL.
Being able to borrow 100% with a 4% interest rate for up to 30 years is going to seem like a godsend at first. I think most deals with the Devil do. But Heaven help those who are ever late with a payment for ANY reason regardless of how legitimate. Bureaucrats are not known for their compassion and understanding.
For those with flood insurance, they will get to experience a special kind of Hell.
Flood insurance is not like any other kind of insurance. While the policies are sold by insurance companies, it is underwritten and regulated by the Federal Government.
Flood insurance MIGHT cover 60% of the damage if you are lucky. First, the adjuster does not work for you even though he will say otherwise. How much money you will get will depend a great deal on his good graces. Once he has written down a number(i.e. - $), there is no available arbitration or recourse should you disagree and wish to challenge it.
Flood insurance will pay for cleaning up the damage, but they will decide how much it will cost.
Flood insurance will only pay the federal minimum wage for the labor to clean up.
Not many will be willing to work with contaminated, smelly, disgusting and dangerous conditions for minimum wage, so guess who gets to pay the difference.
Everything in the home or business will be pro-rated by the adjuster. Even the insulation in the walls will be pro-rated. There will be no available arbitration should you disagree with the dollar value of the work. Even if you get three quotes, if they are higher (even at pre-disaster prices) than what the adjuster thinks its worth, you will have to pay the difference up and above the pro-rated value.
It is going to take YEARS for these victims to recover. If ever.
I think about all of the family photos, keepsakes and such that my own family lost as a result of the flooding caused by Hurricane Floyd and my heart still aches after 6 years. I don't think anyone ever truly recovers from such things.
There are going to be more victims from this storm. Its going to be the Police, Fire, EMS and Rescue teams. They are going to see things we don't dare imagine.
When the Wilson Fire/Rescue Services teams went to homes in search of survivors, they found whole families clutched together in their attics drowned. The scene wasn't the nice neat slightly blue bodies like we see on TV. No. The bodies were bloated and discolored. There are no words to adequately describe the stench. In many cases, the faces on the bodies still showed the fear and utter terror of their ordeal.
This is what waits those who volunteer to go to New Orleans, Biloxi and anywhere else that suffered from the flooding.
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As for government response to the disaster caused by Katrina, I can tell you that the response really isn't any slower than what I experienced in 1999. People had the same criticisms then as they do now. Only the players have changed.
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While the following is too late for the victims of Katrina, I'd like to offer some suggestions.
1) If you live near a flood plain, get flood insurance. It is relatively inexpensive. And while it won't cover everything, every bit helps.
2) If you already have flood insurance, make sure you know what it covers. I strongly suggest contacting your agent have him revue what the coverage entails. Odds are pretty good that he/she doesn't know either.
3) Make sure you have "Content" insurance. The adjuster is going to pro-rate the hell out of everything, but its better than nothing.
4) Document everything. Again, the adjuster is not there to help you. He is there to represent the Government and there is nothing your insurance agent can do to help. Do not dispose of anything until all documents have been signed and you have a check in your hand.
5) Do not believe anything your adjuster says. He is not there to help you. Nothing he says is worth spit unless it is written down, signed and documented.
6) It is your responsibility to be prepared. Not the Mayor's. Not the Governor's. Not Congress'. Not the President's. Its yours.
Have a disaster kit put together. This should include batteries, flashlights, knives, manually operated can openers, knives, weapons for self-defense, radios, food, clothing, money, and clothing. Store them in water-tight bags and keep everything in a sturdy plastic container such as one of those "Igloo" ice chests. Also, have a generator handy. A small one that is easily stored and handled is better than a big one.
The Government can only respond but just so quickly and they are going to do it as they see fit according to their plans. Relying on bureacrats for your safety and security after an event will not do you any good. As demonstrated in New Orleans, even the local police, fire and rescue personnel are going to be victims, too. You are going to have to rely on your wits and your own planning until help arrives. And, it may be you who is the only one able to help a neighbor in distress.
7) When "Emergency Services" issues a mandatory evacuation, don't be an idiot. Leave.
Being poor is not an excuse.
Don't think you can ride out a storm just because you were lucky the last time.
Staying behind not only puts you in danger, but you are also risking the lives of the volunteers who have to come save your sorry butt.
8) No matter how difficult things become, don't lose your cool. Don't waste energy on the "Coulda-Shoulda-Woulda's". Concentrate on the moment and what you need to do to be safe and secure.
[ September 03, 2005, 08:55 AM: Message edited by: Glenn Taylor ]
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I so wish, Glenn, that this wisdom did not have it's origin in your own awful experiences. I never will forget my horror at your post that was headed: "It's all gone".
Thanks for sharing that wisdom, and taking the time to write it all out for us. I will print it and point by point make some changes, and save it to boot.
-------------------- Myra A. Grozinger Signs Limited Winston-Salem, NC
signslimited@triad.rr.com Posts: 1244 | From: Winston-Salem, NC USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Thanks Glenn... No changes necessary for your advice. I know you are speaking from experience.
I appreciate the heads up on the insurance part. I am going to be checking this out on Tuesday.
-------------------- Bruce Bowers
DrCAS Custom Lettering and Design Saint Cloud, Minnesota
"Things work out best for the people who make the best of the way things work out." - Art Linkletter Posts: 6466 | From: Saint Cloud, Minnesota | Registered: Jun 1999
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-------------------- Jack Wills Studio Design Works 1465 E.Hidalgo Circle Nye Beach / Newport, OR Posts: 2914 | From: Rocklin, CA. USA | Registered: Dec 1998
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