When Hurricane Gustav makes landfall today along the Gulf Coast, sympathy for those in its path will be in generous supply here and across the country.
Empathy should also be a leading emotion here in Western Washington, where a natural disaster that could be just as devastating — a major earthquake — has long been predicted. Over the coming days, as we watch scenes of destruction that now appear inevitable, we would do well to remember that at any moment, without warning, it could be us, our families, our homes, our communities that have taken a blow and need help.
Whether by an innate sense of caring or an investment in good karma, each of us who can should be ready to pitch in this week. Some already are: More than a dozen Snohomish County Red Cross volunteers have already been dispatched to the Gulf Coast to prepare for the relief effort, and the local chapter is standing by to do more. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina three years ago, 168 Snohomish County volunteers were sent to the affected Southern states.
A C-17 cargo plane from McChord Air Force Base near Tacoma has already returned after delivering response teams and cargo to New Orleans, and has been told to be ready for more hurricane flights.
For most of us, there is no better way to help than by making a disaster-relief donation to the American Red Cross (american.redcross.org, 1-800-HELPNOW) or the Red Cross’ Snohomish County Chapter (www.snohomishcounty.redcross.org, 425-252-4103).
In a tough economy where prices are rising and jobs can be hard to find, such a gift might require more sacrifice than usual. And it’s important to remember that challenges are growing here at home, like stocking food-bank shelves and helping low-income families with home-heating costs this winter. A donation to help the victims of Gustav should come in addition to other planned giving.
Watching the evacuations and other preparations for Gustav also serves as a reminder of the need for each of us to prepare for surviving a major earthquake. Every home, business and institution should have an earthquake plan, an earthquake kit and appropriate supplies on the premises. For details about what you need and how to plan, go to www.snohomishcounty.redcross.org, click on “Preparedness Links,” and then click on “Earthquakes.”
No matter how much we prepare, though, a major earthquake will leave many of us in desperate need of help. The rest of the nation, including those on the Gulf Coast who are all too familiar with natural disaster, will no doubt be there for us. Now is when we must be there for them.
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