Disasters Really Do Bring Out the Best and the Worst in Us
Sometimes We Manage To Leave Politics Behind
Last year the area around which I live was hit hard by Tropical Storm Helene – the recovery is still underway, with over 100 people killed and billions of dollars in damage. In the last few days, a region of Texas suffered similar catastrophic losses (with well over 100 people still missing days after the floods). Similar damages are hitting in New Mexico and in Piedmont North Carolina.
A common thread is evident in all of these widely separated disasters. That thread is the sense of community and outreach that has surged so remarkably in all of these communities. It gives one a bit of hope for our species after all.
Individuals, Groups, and Communities Step Up
My Rotary club had a guest speaker last week who provided great illustration of how folks stepped up. He is an arborist and so was flooded with calls for help when Helene hit. Almost immediately, he received offers from crews to come help, from all over the East Coast and as far away as Utah. As crews came in, local people donated campers and vans to house them. Local restaurants donated meals. A local massage therapist came by at 8 pm night after night and worked until midnight easing the pain and soreness of those hardworking crews. Speaking of Rotary, my club was contacted by Rotary clubs all over the country, asking who to send money to and asking how else they could help.
In the more recent flooding disasters noted above, there are countless stories of people taking great risks to help rescue others. First responders took extraordinary risks in unimaginably difficult conditions to find victims. Surrounding communities offer resources, volunteers – whatever they could offer. I found it noteworthy that a number of causes and groups I support that often fight social and political misconduct in Texas have turned their efforts to getting resources to help people in that state. This in spite of the fact that Texas politicians have in the past resisted giving federal aid to other states in times of disaster. Sometimes people are better than those who govern them.
But There Are Issues of Political Accountability
The press conferences in Texas are heated. People are coming to understand that cuts to the National Weather Service and the refusal in the past of state and local officials to provide protection and warning systems to this flood prone area means people die. This reminds me of the people who froze to death last year in Texas when power systems failed in winter weather. There were no useful backup systems and no connection to the national grid that the rest of the country has available. But hey, energy sector profits were high! I recall similar thoughts of incredulity years ago when Oklahoma – tornado capital of America – decided not to invest in storm shelters for public schools. Kids die, but taxes are lower!
The tragedy in Texas is almost unimaginable. But calls to “not politicize this crisis” by demanding accountability of government at all levels is unacceptable. The Trump administration is stripping out research, predictability, crisis management in weather services. State and local governments in Texas deliberately chose to put people in danger for the shallowest reasons possible. People deserve better. Will they finally rise up and demand it? The Republican party will not answer the call. Throw them out and stand up for each other.
Take Comfort and Take a Hint
We truly can take comfort and inspiration from our neighbors and fellow citizens rise to the occasion. I know in my area that the sense of community and connectivity is at remarkably high levels. People want to hang on to that, and not take it for granted.
We can also take a hint that those in power who make bad decisions are quick to put off judgement and investigation by others and are unlikely to do better next time.
So, how many children and others need to die before citizens make the change needed?
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