Getting ready

Preparing for an emergency -- those that come with warnings (hurricanes and floods) and those that don't (earthquakes and fires) -- is something we all think is a pretty good idea. But how many of us have workable plans? How long has it been since we updated those plans? How are our emergency supplies? Where are they?

In the wake of every disaster, natural or otherwise, there is an overwhelming since of urgency to be prepared for whatever comes next. But our attention is too easily diverted by an apparent lack of preparedness even in the face of approaching disaster. Millions of Americans in areas far from the targeted landfall of Hurricane Rita were watching those helicopter views of major highways out of Houston clogged with gridlocked traffic while inbound lanes went unused and wondered why officials hadn't made all traffic one way -- out of the storm's path.

For those of us who truly want to be as prepared as possible for likely disasters in Southeast Missouri, there is help available. Both the Red Cross (20 S. Mount Auburn Road, 339-1822) and the Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center (1121 Linden St., 335-7846) have free booklets covering all aspects of emergency planning, including special preparations for individuals with special needs and residents of mobile homes.