Some folks don’t have the resources to evacuate before a storm barrels down their throats, so they stay in place and grit it out — they have few choices.  Evacuation isn’t cheap no matter how you accomplish it.  Some have no means of leaving in the first place.

Others get out of Dodge and come home later to find anything from no damage at all to total devastation.

There seems to be a LARGE segment of the population, however, that is totally unprepared and it makes no difference if they evacuate or not.  These people apparently are ignorant of the dangers of the storms that have for decades provided plenty of evidence for review.  If you live within 100 miles of a coastline you damned well should have been paying attention during class — you need to do some preparation and planning.  If you’ve done that, then maybe you have the right to whine.  Later.  Much later.

Apparently, according to news reports, many people have been angry that the government (read I and every other taxpayer in this country) hasn’t provided blue tarps in sufficient quantity to temporarily cover their damaged roofs.  Well guess what, folks.  Those tarps have been available all along at home improvement, hardware, and other stores, just sitting on the shelves waiting for you to spend your money on them.  Not too far away are hammers and roofing nails with some really nice washers on them, just the thing for nailing those tarps in place.  Please tell me why it is I the taxpayer who is responsible for your temporary roof repair when you haven’t done anything to prepare ahead of time?

Two days after storm passage the cry went out that many people were starving — there wasn’t enough food or water.  The government hasn’t brought me my meals, they complained.  I suppose the whiners haven’t heard of grocery stores, sealed cans and pouches, bottled water, etc.

Funny, but I have had no problem purchasing and maintaining a supply of food and water, water refreshed at the beginning of every hurricane season and food tracked by date, and I have had no problem stowing away tarps, rope, nails, and other emergency repair items — I’ll bet a lot of other people could be doing the same thing if they really cared about the welfare of themselves and their families.

Here’s an idea.  The hurricane season will be ending in a few weeks.  Now, beginning in November, each month, instead of cigarettes, lottery tickets, booze, and whatever non-necessity purchases, cut those in half and buy a preparation item or two.  Don’t give up all the fun stuff, just some of it.  After a time you’ll have a decent supply to help tide you over until help arrives.  That’s YOUR part in preparing for the 2009 hurricane season.