News coverage of Gulf Coast rebuilding efforts
Posted at 12:41 PM, Nov. 7, 2005
Several articles in the New York Times regarding the aftermath of the Gulf Coast Hurricanes.
Kudos, Daggers and Aunt Maybell's Christmas Present
Posted at 12:05 PM, Nov. 7, 2005
The following is provided here with permission of Chris Pardo, a REALTOR® from Fort Lauderdale. Her Wilma update was posted on RealTalk on 11/7/05.
This holiday season, we could all benefit by considering her question, "Does Aunt Maybell really need another vase...."
90% of those here who lost power have it back; there are approximately 100K accounts still with out power in our county. If you have dealings with someone down here, please be patient. Trees are just starting to be picked up from residential areas. Most businesses are up and running.
Kudos to:
- FPL-power company for working around the clock and in conjunction with disaster teams. We have so many power and tree removal trucks from every state in the union. The amount of damage was extreme for our power infrastructure. FPL is truly putting on a fabulous effort to get us back up and running.
- Comcast
– Great job for working with the power company to follow along and restore cable as quickly as possible immediately behind power restoration.
Also, Comcast automatically credit clients for time with out service.
Drug and grocery stores – fab job at opening doors even with out power.Allowing folks to get what they needed and even a little of what we wanted.
Restaurants – great job those with gas at opening doors without power and offering limited menus. A hot meal went a long way.
Insurance companies – for fast response, local claim centers, handling of claims by severity. Most insurance companies have been great in responding.
City, county and state officials – for planning, staging and moving in quickly after the storm. No sky is falling reports. No panic. Just good planning, quick thinking and decisive response. Also- kudos for seeing short falls and quickly addressing them future plans and legislation (i.e.generator requirement for gas stations)
The people of south Florida – kudos for once again, neighbors helping neighbors to get through one day at a time. Sharing food and cooking tips.
Those with power offering hot showers and washer for those with out.Working together to get through.
Big kudos once again to the Red Cross and disaster relief agencies- thank you for the shelters and continued support and housing of the victims.
Daggers:
- Senior condo associations
– the senior condo associations who did not have a plan left many seniors stranded with out power, food and supplies. Every condo/ home owner association should have a plan for security and safety of the community. This should include knowing who can and cannot take care of them selves with out power. Who can and cannot walk down 2-4 flights of stairs. Who will need help and make a plan. This should be part of their requirements as a senior restricted community.
Dish Network – Slow to respond to requests for service calls, charging customers for service calls, no show on service calls. Very disheartening to have power but to have to wait another week for TV because company has poor customer service.
Gas Stations- no plan for extensive loss of power. Just makes good business sense to have a way to sell your product before, during and after a disaster.
Media – poor national coverage. Many folks nationally do not even realize that a hundred thousand accounts still have no power. I am getting complaints why are not business and people answering – because they may not have power or are busy chopping the trees in their yard!!!
Bottom line:
- every family, every home, every business, and every community needs to have a disaster plan for natural disasters, power out ages and international threats. Learn from others like Gulf Coast, Houston, Carolinas and Florida
– what works, what can be done better. Make a plan, have supplies, and improve with every disaster event. Does your office/home, family/community have a plan? Can you operate for 2 weeks with out power? Can you locate all your agents and staff? Can you survive for days with out running water? Can you stay safe in a blizzard with out power? Do you know what to do if your local river rises? If there is a tornado? An earth quake? Can you protect your assets? This is not just a Hurricane issue. This is a disaster issue. May be natural- may be terrorist caused – but you need to be ready. Make a plan today. Brainstorm, imagine and create a plan that will keep you and yours safe and operating should a disaster hit you.
Thanks for all YOUR prayers and support. Real Talk is a community and the support and outpouring of concern helps us get through these challenging events.
Please remember organizations like the Red Cross when making donations. Consider, this year, to give donations on behalf of your friends and family in lieu of presents. Many of these volunteer organizations are still assisting disaster victims from Katrina, Rita and now Wilma. Does Aunt Maybell really need another vase? Maybe a donation in her name to the Red Cross would be more appropriate this year. I know a displaced family from New Orleans would appreciate it. Due to the frequent disasters over the past 2 years - support and volunteer organizations are hurting for funds.
Chrispy Pardo, REALTOR®, e-PRO, JIM
Kroll Realty / Ft. Lauderdale FLA
listserve@ChrisPardo.com
http://SoFlaMLS.com
Post Wilma Realities
Posted at 10:36 AM, Nov. 7, 2005
This 11/7/05 Sun-Sentinel article discusses the reality of conducting business post Wilma.
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