ABG
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Contributors
  • ABG CFB
  • Reference center
  • Contact Us

Cumberland Island

A Look at the Response So Far

10/17/2018

0 Comments

 
PictureDamage to a Pecan Orchard at Pecan Ridge Plantation in Bainbridge - Photo via Secretary Sonny Perdue
Sam Burnham, Curator
@C_SamBurnham

Hurricane Michael made landfall on Wednesday October 10. As I’m writing this, on the 17th, we have reached they say FEMA resources are expected to start reaching the affected areas. That’s a week. If this was New Orleans, there would be outrage in abundance. But this is the rural South. So this national spotlight has largely moved on. Now the inhabitants of this racially diverse area get to start picking up the pieces.

Major media outlets poured in to capture the chaos, mispronounce the names of towns, rake in some ratings, and then move on to the next story.

President Trump and Vice President Pence toured damaged areas in South Georgia yesterday. US Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Purdue was in Cordele this weekend to assess losses to crops and livestock. GOP gubernatorial candidate Brian Kemp visited South Georgia this weekend while Democratic candidate Stacey Abrams marched in Atlanta’s Pride Parade.

Thats the rundown of the dog and pony show.

As far as the work of recovery, that has been well underway. While politicians observed damage (or celebrated in parades), news networks made a lot of money, and FEMA did...whatever they’ve been doing for a week, Georgia put boots on the ground.

The State activated GSAR - Georgia Search and Rescue - task forces that respond to disaster and other special incidents. The Georgia Forestry Commission dispatched rangers to do tree removal, clearing roads, and making the logistics of moving resources possible. The National Guard and State Patrol have been involved. Several charitable organizations have stepped in to raise funds, provide shelter, meals, medications, supplies. Duracell sent out its response units to provide batteries to storm victims needing power for flashlights, radios, and other equipment needed to get through a prolonged power outage. Utility companies, including local electric membership corporations, have been working nonstop to restore power to the area.

But dont worry. FEMA is on the way.

This would be a great time to consider the pros and cons of decentralization of resource allocation. Georgia has been busting it for a week with the resources it has. The efforts that have already been put into motion have me wondering if FEMA is on the way or if they’re coming to get in the way. Maybe it would be better if they just sent some stuff and stayed wherever they are. Between the quick actions of Georgians and the resilience of rural Southerners, this might be over by the time the federal behemoth gets moving good.

​Thats the rundown of the dog and pony show.

As far as the work of recovery, that has been well underway. While politicians observed damage (or celebrated in parades), news networks made a lot of money, and FEMA did...whatever they’ve been doing for a week, Georgia put boots on the ground.

The State activated GSAR - Georgia Search and Rescue - a statewide network of task forces made up of local emergency personnel who come together to respond to disasters and other incidents that require a specialized response. The Georgia Forestry Commission dispatched rangers to do tree removal, clearing roads, and making the logistics of moving resources possible. The National Guard and State Patrol have been involved. Several charitable organizations have stepped in to raise funds, provide shelter, meals, medications, supplies. Duracell sent out its response units to provide batteries to storm victims needing power for flashlights, radios, and other equipment needed to get through a prolonged power outage. Utility companies, including local electric membership corporations, have been working nonstop to restore power to the area.

But dont worry. FEMA is on the way.

This would be a great time to consider the pros and cons of decentralization of resource allocation. Georgia has been busting it for a week with the resources it has. The efforts that have already been put into motion have me wondering if FEMA is on the way or if they’re coming to get in the way. Maybe it would be better if they just sent some stuff and stayed wherever they are. Between the quick actions of Georgians and the resilience of rural Southerners, this might be over by the time the federal behemoth gets moving good.

​In an election year, it is a good idea to consider candidates and policies that favor agriculture. It is also wise to consider ways to decentralize disaster relief to get the response closer to the people. We need to be able to beef up our state and local response and be less dependent on a distant and clumsy national response. Most importantly, we need leaders who understand rural people and places.

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    Sam B.

    Historian, self-proclaimed gentleman, agrarian-at-heart, & curator extraordinaire
    ​READ MORE


    Picture
    ABG Sponsor, Click Here
    Picture
    ABG Sponsor, Click Here
    Picture
    ABG Sponsor - Click for Link
    Tweets by @BiscuitsGA

    Social Media

    RSS Feed

    Books Blog Directory

    Categories

    All
    Agriculture
    Art
    Books
    Business
    Christmas
    Civil War
    Community Revitalization
    Culture
    Education
    Family
    Fashion
    Fiction
    Film & Television
    Food
    Garden
    Hiking
    History
    Home
    Industry
    Local
    Music
    Native American
    Outdoors
    Politics
    Restaurants
    Revolutionary War
    Tradition
    Travel
    World War II

    Archives

    November 2022
    July 2022
    March 2022
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    December 2013
    October 2013
    July 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    January 2013
    December 2010

Copyright 2015
ABG. The celebration and preservation of Southern history, culture, and agrarian ideals.
Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Contributors
  • ABG CFB
  • Reference center
  • Contact Us