Helene, the once-and-former hurricane that came ashore on the Florida panhandle Thursday night, barely kissed Ozarkansas. Our rain gauge on The Mountain registered less than half an inch by yesterday morning.
The southern Appalachians, however, got more than they could handle. Dams were over-topped or failed. Hundreds of roads washed out and still are impassible. Five million people lost power, from the Gulf Coast to the Ohio Valley.
The death toll is 65 and counting.
This is a situation immune to hyperbole — truly, it’s impossible to overstate the devastation inflicted by this weather system. The severity of the disaster, and especially its scope, can’t be exaggerated.
Those of us not affected directly can do very little to make things better for folks who found themselves in harm’s way. Yes, we can donate supplies and money, perhaps even time. Prayers of supplication and other intangible gestures are natural responses, of course.
The disaster will remain in the headlines only briefly, until The Next Big Story comes along. The media will move on. We will move on.
Don’t do that.
My request has nothing to do with continuing to donate or help or pray. All I’m asking you to give is attention.
Recovery will be more difficult and will take longer than any of us can imagine. I want you to pay attention to how it unfolds — how the affected communities respond, who comes in to help, the role of government, the effects of human behavior and culture — and then learn from it.
I’m asking you to observe and critique and assimilate for the most selfish purpose of all.
See, there’s a 100% chance that someday the proverbial shit will hit your personal fan. To a greater or lesser degree, whether it’s a hurricane or a tornado, flood or blizzard, grid failure or societal collapse, you’ll have to respond — ready or not.
Don’t pass up this latest golden opportunity to watch and learn. Notice who was prepared and who wasn’t, what worked and what didn’t, the successes and the failures.
Take particular note of what was missed, as well as what couldn’t’ve been predicted.
This is your chance. There’s nothing ghoulish about it. And if you’re somehow reluctant to engage in the exercise because it’s self-serving, that’s the whole point — one of these days, your life, and the lives of your family, may depend on what you learn now.
Take care of yourselves, Patriots. Stay calm. Stay sharp. Stay free.
#WiseUp #LibertyOrDeath #Ungovernable
#LetsGoBrandon #FJB