Are we prepared?
Recently West Virginia was hit by the storm of the century — a derecho with winds of 80 to 90 miles per hour that wrecked the power and communications systems.
The entire state was declared a disaster area. My brother, who lives in southeastern Pocahontas County, sent me a newspaper with details of how his community handled this devastation as they continue to repair or replace what was lost.
He said that people began to gather June 30, putting aside their differences, to see what had to be done and who could help. The response was fantastic and I want to share some of the details with my neighbors in Lake County.
Every restaurant and food supplier began to pool resources, rather than have food wasted in the 95 degree-plus weather.
Thousands of meals were provided free, farmers brought in their own produce to contribute to the community, teams of volunteers toured the back roads twice daily to bring freshly cooked food, water, ice, generators and medical help where needed. Facilities with power and water supplies opened its doors to neighbors so they could shower and do laundry.
Animals were cared for, a doctor drove to rural areas where there was a need and spoiled food was picked up and taken for disposal.
Meanwhile, damage was repaired and downed power poles were replaced.
Outages in power and telephones lasted for 11 days in some areas and during this time many worked overtime in oppressive heat to help their neighbors.
My brother tells me that groups are already meeting to formulate a better response in case of another emergency.
This brings me to consider how well our community would fare during such a catastrophe and hope that many of these decisions have been made in advance of an emergency where there is little or no time for second thoughts.
H.M. Finnie
Lucerne
