Natural Disasters

You should be aware that in the ten year period between 1998 to 2008 there were a total of 556 events in the US serious enough to be declared as disasters by the president at that time. These disasters include:

Hurricanes
Floods
Typhoons
Fires
Terrorist Incidents

Disasters can strike at any time when you are in your home, workplace, shopping in a market, asleep in your bed or when you are in a car or public transportation. Early warning and good information is vital wherever you may be at the time whether it be:

An earthquake occurs in your area.
A tornado or violent wind
A terrorist incident
A toxic or other hazardous spillage

FACTS - Billions of dollars are properly spent each year for necessary mitigation responses by police, fire, military, and emergency personnel to save lives and property from the damaging effects of both natural and manmade disasters. The vast majority of these efforts are all directed to reducing the impact on people and property after a disaster has occurred. These efforts are effective and have great real value.

Until this time, very little effort is made to mitigate disasters before their impact and to ensure that families and individuals have access to accurate and timely information. All first responders' claim the first few minutes after a disaster are the most important time to reduce the impact on people and property. Correct information and fast response are of utmost importance when responding to disasters after they occur.

We know from experience the last few minutes before the impact of a disaster is also of utmost importance to reduce the effects on people and property. It is the last few minutes before disaster impact when actions can be taken to avoid or lessen effects. Duck, cover, escape, hide, move, close up, slow, and stop, are some of the many responses we can take when confronted by disasters. Coal mine canaries, Church & Temple bells, air raid sirens, and smoke alarms and beacons set the early warning standards for past generations. They were effective for their time but now it is time to create a truly effective early warning system for the 21st century.

Continue: Insurance Issues