Hurricanes -- Hype and Reality

T-V weather reporters sometimes give journalism a bad name. Aside from driving their trucks on the grass in Cedar Key's City Park when they come to town, they emphasize the destruction and overlook the less spectacular aspects of hurricanes. Crashing surf and whipping palm trees provide a dramatic backdrop for a T-V reporter leaning into the wind. But coverage of orderly evacuation and rational public officials get little T-V coverage.

Ceder Key business owners at seminar on hurricane preparedness.

Evacuation is a late-stage form of hurricane preparedness. Rational public officials are an important part of hurricane preparedness and response. In Cedar Key preparedness got underway for the 2007 hurricane season during two events held May 24. Our business owners were instructed on how to get a business restarted after a hurricane strikes. Our citizenry was instructed about how to prepare and where to find accommodations in the event of an evacuation.

Disaster planning and recovery was the topic of a seminar at the Cedar Key Library. Dr. Philip Greist from the University of North Florida gave very detailed instructions on the need for planning to restart a business after a disaster. Protecting records, finding alternate suppliers and employee training were a few of his many suggestions. Local bed and breakfast owner Bill Phillips added that there is a need to counteract negative business effects even when our locality is not directly hit by a hurricane.

The public benefited from a lightly attended but informative event at Cedar Key's newly acquired Community Center. Information available ranged from pet care to how to secure bottled gas containers during a storm. Tie-down of propane tanks is a simple procedure. Pet care during evacuation is a complex problem. Pet food and current vaccination documents are only a few of the things that pet owners need to consider in advance.

Instructions on securing a propane tank. Note the tie-down cable around the leg of the tank in the lower right.