here we go again?

As the threat of the rising Delaware River starts to circulate in the area newspapers it's only a matter of time before some familiar fixtures start to show up in Yardley, PA.Today is Friday, March 12th 2010 and all reports once again show that the combination of packed melting snow and heavy rains will provide Southeastern PA with its share of flooding this weekend through Tuesday of next week. News media vans like the one pictured will surely be showing up over the course of the weekend to provide the story to the world about the river-towns and the pending doom for residents.
Being a resident of this community myself and having gone through 3 floods during 2004 - 2006, I can tell you I'm a little on edge. Every past event has taken on a similar pattern that starts with news vans and ends with tragedy. Today, Yardley is different from 2006. There have been many homes elevated in the low lying areas of the Borough but without a solution to control the river water and especially how it interacts with the Delaware Canal, still leaves hundreds in fear of major losses.
I do realize the importance of telling the stories on the news about the floods but being through this before I know only too well what will be next if the river reaches that stage. And that's an added level of anxiety that we can all do without.I will keep you posted as this unfolds and keep my fingers crossed that we don't get to the next level.

DD

"the good stuff" Part 1

Today I am starting something new on Each Word for US All. I was inspired by a comment from a follower and I really like the idea. When it comes to the nonprofit world and especially the disaster relief portion of that world, I sometimes find myself waist deep in stories of tragedy and suffering. This is my gig and my choice, I knew what was out there and that feeds my passion for the change I'm trying to accomplish. A huge part of my job is to inform my supporters and prospective supporters of those tragedies and need, to inspire the change that's needed. The drawback is the constant exposure of bad news that I sort through daily,,, that can be tough on anybody.

One thing I've noticed over the course of the last eight months is a silver lining. I've found, while sorting through the reports of tragedy, there are stories of good that sometimes make their way to certain headlines. I admit, these stories aren't as easy to find as the stories of suffering but they're out there if you spend enough time looking. I find these insights inspirational and I have decided to share a story a week with you in honor of these groups and individuals who are taking a passion to create a change they feel is needed.

With the world in the middle of the Winter Olympics right now, I felt it was very fitting to share this article I 

found on the athletes who use this surge into the spotlight to help others. 

Check it out here - http://bit.ly/bb76lM

It's all very inspiring when you think about the dedication to what they are trying to accomplish in the Olympics alone. I think when you add this additional level of commitment to what they already do, it really demonstrates the overall definition of a "hero" in my mind. Congratulations to all the athletes taking that extra step to bring awareness and to inspire others. You all win gold in the eyes of the organizations and the individuals you have chosen to help.

Like I said, I have decided to add a story like this to share on a weekly basis. Have you stumbled upon articles like this you'd like to share? If so, send them my way, I'll be glad to take a moment for a little inspirational boost and share your story with others.

DD

reaction to proaction

I think I'm going to let my home owners, flood and automobile insurance run out. That slow leak in my front tire, the screech from my brake pads and that crunching sound in my transmission will surely fix itself. I refuse to wear a seat-belt, eat right, exercise or pay my bills. Brush my teeth, forget about it, what for?? I am going to walk around flaunting huge amounts of cash in some of the most crime ridden areas in the country and yes,,, I am going to run with scissors.

Kidding of course... This behavior would be looked at as irresponsible. We take proactive and preventative measures everyday so we're not hit with unexpected costs and so bigger and more serious things won't happen down the line. Fact is, we don't even tend to question these measures. We understand the concepts and have all walked down the path of learning the hard way at least once in our lives.

However, when it comes to dealing with natural disasters, we are for the most part, reactive. How much do you respond after an event hits the headlines? How much money did you give after Hurricane Katrina, the Indonesian Tsunami and the recent earthquake in Haiti? Now I'm not minimizing the need for funds and support immediately after a tragedy strikes. I just feel as a society we need to put more focus on preventative measures to lessen the affects when a tragedy strikes. Much like we do with so many other things in our lives.
 
I can't help but think that if we applied this train of thought and funding to the deteriorating levees, a better warning system and a hurting infrastructure before the tragedies struck, we would have saved so much money, so much pain and so many lives.

DD

As always, I'm interested in hearing your thoughts so,,, don't be shy.

getting back to normal

After a natural disaster rips through a town, it makes sense that time will be needed to clean up and repair. This is a given and something that can take its toll on you. When it comes down to it, a structure can be replaced, new furniture can be purchased and new plants can be grown. The hard part is seeing all the memories destroyed, those intangible items that can never be replaced. I experienced this type of loss in the flood of 2005. Our basement was a storage area for family memories and seasonal decorations. Unfortunately, we lost our share. It took a complete year to understand exactly what was lost. Every season had us going back down to the basement in search of another decoration, only to find that it was swept away and trashed with all the other debris. This is a sad reality but one unavoidable leaving you to buy new things and create new memories being sure to store them in safer places this time.

A quick response to clean up and rebuilding helps drastically when recovering. When things are brought back to the way they use to be, the sense of normalcy comes back allowing you to focus on your everyday things again. When these things are drawn out for whatever reason, you are trapped in the event, causing continuing reminders of the loss and the devastation.

To further add to my point check out this article about Hurricane Ike, one year later - http://www.marionstar.com/article/20090914/UPDATES01/90914006/-1/newsfront2

A year after an event with a blue tarp still on your roof has got to be agonizing. A constant reminder of loss without closure. The article clearly addresses the insurance industry, an industry with billions and billions of dollars given by folks like us in case of an event for piece of mind if something was to happen. This lack of urgency to fix not only the possessions of the people but a portion of their lives is a complete slap in the face. We are constantly being told by the insurance industry to be prepared. In fact, I recall that my home owners insurance goes up every year. The least they can do is be there for us when we're in need.

This all serves as another example of the cracks in the system that will be filled with Each One for US All. Our approach would be a charitable donation to the town that can disperse funds directly to the people to pay contractors to do the rebuilding needed. This will bring closure to the event itself. This also will reduce the amount of claims saving millions in the long run by keeping insurance premiums at a reasonable level. More importantly, it will make the town whole again at a faster pace so people can go on living and enjoying their lives.

DD

changing the rules

The mitigation process for natural disasters from what I gather is a staggering effort on the part of the Emergency Manager in towns across our nation. Plans must be updated on a continual basis to assure coverage and grants from FEMA. With all that said, it still gives the town no guarantee that they will be approved for funding and if they are, still no guarantee as to when the money will arrive. The waiting list is long and as time goes by, people across our country continue to deal with the events of a natural disaster sometimes years after the fact. Remember, mitigation is to help reduce or eliminate the effects of a reoccurring natural disaster, waiting for funds only guarantees that if the town is hit again, there will be nothing in place to prevent further damage, leading only to more damage.

If this wasn't hard enough to deal with, now FEMA is considering a new policy to reduce it's contributions starting on the third similar occurrence over a ten year period. Now don't get me wrong, I agree that if towns aren't using mitigation funds to actually prevent the affects of a disaster, we as tax payers shouldn't be footing the bill over and over again. However, this reduction of contribution is going to leave gaps for finding solutions and ultimately hurt the town and towns people in the process. I would think this type of pressure will only lead to more property buy-outs instead of investment in finding and implementing new solutions.

Here's the article - http://www.gsnmagazine.com/cms/features/news-analysis/2509.html

FEMA is looking for opinions on this policy change and will be accepting them until October 13th, so let your voice be heard at www.regulations.gov and citing docket number FEMA-2008-0006.

Remember, another approach to this is in the works. Each One for US All has been established to fill the void where government grants fall short or fall off completely. Now more than ever the support from each one to help all is needed. Together we can provide the funding for new ideas, solutions and a solid future.

DD