SOMETIMES "CRY WOLF" ACTUALLY MEANS THERE'S A WOLF AT THE DOOR!

Mike Thomas in today's Orlando Sentinel makes some excellent points on the lessons we should learn from the destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina.

1) When authorities say you should evacuate, DO IT!

"If you can get out of Harrison County, get out of Harrison County." That quote was made early Sunday by the county's emergency management director, Joe Spraggins. A number of people simply failed to heed the warning, and more than 100 people have reportedly lost their lives as a result with many more expected to be found. And, of course, there are thousands in New Orleans that are wishing now that they had left when they had the opportunity.

Mr. Thomas writes:

Ironically, Mississippi had been conducting a survey about hurricane evacuation. This came about because fewer residents had evacuated for Hurricane Dennis in July than had evacuated for Hurricane Ivan last September.

Neither storm hit Mississippi, setting up the classic cry-wolf syndrome.

The survey contained bad news for officials trying to get people to evacuate before Katrina.

" . . . the general public is very tired and weary of evacuations," Robert Latham, director of the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, said Friday. "We are worried many people will not evacuate.

"Disaster officials are in a huge bind. If they evacuate early enough for everyone to get out, then that gives the storm time to change track and go elsewhere. If they hold off, then that doesn't give people enough time to go elsewhere.

Friends, there is a reason why even voluntary evacuations are issued. It's to give residents time to get out, because there is a probability that dangerous conditions will affect an area.

2) Officials and developers need to be responsible in planning new projects.

While people like the idea of living along the coast, Mike notes that:

Hurricanes run in cycles, and we have entered a stormy phase. More and bigger hurricanes are predicted in upcoming decades. The sea level is rising, and shore lines are receding, making them all the more dangerous.

Meanwhile, coastal development is booming, putting more people in harm's way. Katrina was not a freak storm. It was a harbinger.