Thread by @GodlessNZ

(1) Every. Time.

Headline: "Desperate #HurricaneMichael Survivors Ask: When Is Help Coming?

Source: weather.com/storms/hurrica…

These people view the pyramid upside down. FEMA is NOT a first responder. YOU are.

#Learn

(2) My credentials? When the Christchurch, NZ earthquake of 2/22/11 struck, I was sure I was about to die. 185 others in my city did.

I've spent years personally & professionally studying emergency management best practices.

(3) "When is help coming?" Help came when the NWS first saw Hurricane Michael form in the gulf 7 days before he hit. Others had time to evacuate, why didn't you?

Car broken down? Nowhere to go? No money? Couldn't convince a loved one to leave?

Excuses, not reasons.

(4) Help came when the county & state governments urged you to evacuate or, if not, to prepare AT LEAST 7 days of food & water for all people & pets there.

Help came when charities & govt set up shelters all over, free, no immigration questions asked, & many of them took pets.

(5) Help came when the FEMA website & other comms methods made it crystal clear for years that if your entire home is lost, you will get enough income & a place to stay for up to 6 months (12 in Puerto Rico) until you find your feet.

(6) Help came when you were told before the storm to talk with your neighbors. The article that prompted this thread says some people in this area don't live near other people. Sure they do. Walking for one mile? It is possible to do that.

(7) Help came when before the storm you had a working landline or mobile phone service & could call any number of charity or govt agencies for advice, including free transport to a shelter BEFORE the storm.

Help came when Cat 4 storm survivors told you what Day 4 would be like.

(8) It's only Day 4! Why the heck didn't you store enough food and water for 7 days or go to a shelter before the storm hit?

I have heard every excuse so don't bother.

How dare you demand responders visit you when they're still pulling out bodies.

(9) Some of those needing help after this storm are vulnerable through no fault of their own. They are children, animals, and adults with genuine mental issues that prevented them from making good decisions before the storm.

You expect a personal visit ahead of them?

(10) Even with the herculean selfless efforts of civilians & military all over the worst hit areas, they have to prioritize. When you choose to stay, you risk their lives & safety & you compete with those who need help more than you.

You then have the nerve to criticize.

(11) I've had it with these people. I've seen photos of babies, toddlers, pets, seriously ill adults & frail elderly who had a basic human right to be removed from a monster-storm zone like Mexico Beach & Panama City beforehand.

Some reckless idiot failed them.

(12) Authorities such as the NWS & FEMA do NOT exaggerate the danger of approaching major storms. When they say GO you better darn well go.

I got no warning of the earthquake that changed my life & ended others. Think about it. You are blessed to have warning of storms.

(13) So next time there's a hurricane forecast to hit one of these states that gets them all the time, I think I'll pull up this thread. Because there will always be a few people ignorant enough to ignore common sense & then ATTACK the very people trying to help.

(14) You are your first responder in a disaster.

Then neighbors, charities, private sector, community, county, state, THEN FEMA, which co-ordinates & facilitates county & state resources.

If you blame FEMA or other federal entities eg the POTUS, then you are an idiot.