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DisasterMan
Emergency Preparedness Committee
The committee reviewed the operation of public and private agencies
before, during, and after the fl ood. A number of recommendations were
made. The committee recommended that the County Offi ce of Emergency
Services develop a uniform system of precautionary warning and alerting
of residents and businesses of the possibility of fl ooding. Electronic
monitoring equipment to determine river height and fl ow should be bought
and installed. Visual depth markers should be installed at strategic locations
to allow residents to recognize for themselves the potential for fl ooding.
Sandbags and other emergency supplies should be stockpiled. The
present communications system should be redesigned and consolidated if
feasible. A system needs to be developed for the Monterey County Sheriff's
Department to coordinate traffi c control for evacuations with the California
Highway Patrol. The Sheriff should develop a system to protect fl ooded
areas from looters. `Restricted' signage, citizen patrols and deputies might
be appropriate.
Neighborhood Preparedness Committee
This committee studied the problems of residents and neighborhoods
along the Carmel River. The basic assumption was that the normal
emergency response organizations may be overwhelmed in a severe fl ood.
Each household and neighborhood should be prepared and organized to
fend for themselves and assist one another. Each household should have
emergency supplies, such as fl ashlights, a battery-operated radio, drinking
water, food, fi rst aid kit, candles, etc. Family members should be trained in
fi rst aid and know how to turn off their gas, electricity, and water utilities.
Evacuation plans must be developed. Each family should prepare their
home for fl oods, earthquakes, wildland fi res and other disasters. Valuables
and personal treasures should be safeguarded. Flood walls for the house
or elevating the home may need to be considered.
Neighborhoods should consider forming homeowners' associations
and disaster teams. They should have block captains, a river watch
coordinator and a neighborhood disaster coordinator. Each neighborhood
should conduct a survey of residents to locate people who are old, frail,
or disabled, and families with young children. The survey should also
identify people with special skills, such as nursing, and locate families with
emergency equipment such as chain saws, cellular phones, and 4-wheel
drive vehicles. The committee developed a `Flood and Disaster Guide', see