YOU CAN'T PREVENT DISASTER, SO PREPARE

A group of local firefighters, police officers, public works employees and volunteers gathered in recent weeks to discuss preparation for a tornado.

Those assembled heard a gripping tale of a Texas county hit by the worst disaster in its history. A category F-5 -- the worst -- tornado leveled parts of Jarrell, Texas, on May 27, 1997, leaving 30 dead and dozens injured.

This kind of firsthand information from officials on the scene can certainly help spur local preparation efforts. Their vivid descriptions and lessons learned can prove invaluable for other counties that may one day face similar disasters.

For example, rain hampered rescue operations in Jarrell. The mud was so thick that rescue vehicles got stuck. That's just the kind of first-hand advice that can help local officials better prepare.

Cape Girardeau has had its fair share of disasters -- with record flooding threatening every few years. But flooding comes more slow motion -- there's more time to prepare.

Tornadoes strike with little warning and can leave such devastation in their wake. Just ask people in Oklahoma and Kansas who are still reeling from a series of deadly twisters. The death toll has climbed to 46 in the two states, with nearly 900 injuries. The twisters leveled entire neighborhoods, and thousands of families are working to piece their houses and lives back together.

In times of disaster, people panic. That's why disaster planning by cities and counties is so imperative. A well-thought-out plan can make all the difference in how quickly city services are restored. Preparations can range from emergency shelters to cleanup, from medical assistance to a temporary morgue. They are things people don't like to talk about. But in crafting a workable disaster plan, these are issues that must be addressed.

Tornadoes are not uncommon in Missouri, although the state has never been hit by the most powerful category, an F-5. But many locals still remember the killer tornado that ripped through Cape Girardeau nearly 50 years ago. It left 22 dead and 72 injured. It leveled homes and businesses, with damages estimated at close to $4 million.

No one knows when disaster will strike whether it be earthquake, tornado, flooding, blizzard or fire. But with proper planning, cities and counties can certainly be better prepared.