Hurricane preparations
In praise of regional shelters and supermarket generators
Give me shelter
Sarasota County has added hurricane shelters, but still faces a critical shortage of space. New, Red Cross-imposed standards require 20 square feet per person, up from 15, according to a recent Herald-Tribune report. That means that Sarasota County, which has a population of 355,000, can only house 26,219 evacuees. That figure seems paltry, especially when you consider that residents of neighboring Charlotte County often head to Sarasota because Charlotte has no Red Cross-approved shelters.
Gov. Jeb Bush is among those who think regional shelters in inland counties would be a better evacuation option. Legislators should seriously consider Bush's request for $16.7 million to create public shelters for an additional 100,000 people and fund a pilot program for regional shelter projects.
Powerless no more
The decision by Publix Super Markets to spend $100 million to equip stores in hurricane-prone areas with generators is good news for Floridians. The effort should pay off in good will and savings in the long run. The chain said it lost $60 million in spoiled food when four hurricanes hit the state in 2004, The Associated Press reported.
Electricity is often out for weeks after a major storm hits. Residents are advised to keep at least a three-day supply of nonperishable food. The Publix decision means that post-storm food shortages likely will be less common.
Long lines -- at gas stations and for tarps, ice and water -- will still be the norm. Floridians can deal with the long waits if they can be sure that something will be left when they get to the front of the line.
http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060316/OPINION/603160498/1030
In praise of regional shelters and supermarket generators
Give me shelter
Sarasota County has added hurricane shelters, but still faces a critical shortage of space. New, Red Cross-imposed standards require 20 square feet per person, up from 15, according to a recent Herald-Tribune report. That means that Sarasota County, which has a population of 355,000, can only house 26,219 evacuees. That figure seems paltry, especially when you consider that residents of neighboring Charlotte County often head to Sarasota because Charlotte has no Red Cross-approved shelters.
Gov. Jeb Bush is among those who think regional shelters in inland counties would be a better evacuation option. Legislators should seriously consider Bush's request for $16.7 million to create public shelters for an additional 100,000 people and fund a pilot program for regional shelter projects.
Powerless no more
The decision by Publix Super Markets to spend $100 million to equip stores in hurricane-prone areas with generators is good news for Floridians. The effort should pay off in good will and savings in the long run. The chain said it lost $60 million in spoiled food when four hurricanes hit the state in 2004, The Associated Press reported.
Electricity is often out for weeks after a major storm hits. Residents are advised to keep at least a three-day supply of nonperishable food. The Publix decision means that post-storm food shortages likely will be less common.
Long lines -- at gas stations and for tarps, ice and water -- will still be the norm. Floridians can deal with the long waits if they can be sure that something will be left when they get to the front of the line.
http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060316/OPINION/603160498/1030