Don't Just Hope For Adequate Emergency Response

Lessons from the Oregon Ice Storm of 2024

Last month, I, along with many fellow Oregonians (and others in the Pacific Northwest), faced the chilling grip of a devastating ice storm. At work, I experienced the test of a power outage. The storm's fury was evident in the menacing dance of falling trees and limbs, a stark reminder of nature's unpredictable power. Navigating icy roads became a treacherous ordeal, each journey a test of nerve and skill.

At work, my worries deepened for a person I support. The biting cold seeped into the house rendered heatless by a power outage. The sealed fireplace, once a potential source of warmth, stood as a silent witness to our unpreparedness. Our reliance on modern amenities was laid bare when even gas-powered appliances, like the oven and furnace, became useless without their electrical control components.

This experience was not just mine alone; it was a shared ordeal across the state, highlighting the harsh realities of our infrastructure's vulnerabilities and the limitations of governmental response in the face of such extreme weather. Several people died of hypothermia, injury from falling trees, and downed power lines. As we struggled through the darkness and cold, it became abundantly clear: we need to be better prepared, both as individuals and as a community, for the challenges that such natural disasters bring.

Failing Infrastructure

The Oregon ice storm of 2024 was a brutal lesson in the fragility of our infrastructure. The storm's icy grasp strangled power lines, leaving them limp and lifeless, plunging neighborhoods into darkness. Roads, once arteries of our daily life, transformed into treacherous ice rinks, cutting off communities and halting the pulse of the city. Water treatment facilities, overwhelmed, faltered under nature's assault, prompting advisories that turned the simple act of drinking water into a calculated risk. These weren't isolated incidents but a chorus of infrastructure failures, each singing a dire tune of vulnerability in the face of extreme weather. This storm was not just a meteorological event; it was a glaring spotlight on our system's cracks and weaknesses, urging us to rethink and fortify against nature's unpredictable fury.

There are a lot of uncertainties when it comes to catastrophic weather events or natural disasters. But there are also a few certitudes: More are coming, and Oregon is not ready.

“I don’t think people appreciate what is coming and what is already here,” said Alice Hill, who worked for the U.S. National Security Council. “It’s going to get worse and that is very difficult for policy makers to understand.”

Oregon Public Broadcasting. Read entire article here.

The Folly of Relying on Governmental Services

The limitations of governmental services became strikingly evident. Emergency services, striving valiantly against the storm's onslaught, found themselves outpaced by the rapidly escalating crisis. Utility companies, grappling with the Herculean task of restoring services, were hampered by the extensive damage and hazardous conditions. This created a significant gap between the immediate needs of the populace and the capacity for timely governmental response. The storm laid bare a harsh truth: in moments of severe crisis, even the most dedicated governmental efforts can be overwhelmed, highlighting the crucial need for individual preparedness and community resilience.

The Importance of Personal Preparedness

The Oregon ice storm underscored the vital role of personal and community preparedness in bridging the gap left by stretched governmental services. Here's how individuals and communities can gear up for such emergencies:

1. Power Backup with Diesel Generators: Investing in a diesel generator ensures a reliable power source during extended outages. Their efficiency and long service life make them a practical choice for emergency power.

2. Staying Warm Without Power: Techniques like layering clothing, using emergency blankets, and setting up a smaller, insulated living space within a room can significantly conserve heat. These methods are life-savers when heating systems fail. Maintaining a wood-burning stove or fireplace, and ample supply of wood can act as an excellent secondary system.

3. Generator Safety: While generators are invaluable, safety is paramount. Ensure proper installation, adequate ventilation to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning, and avoid overloading to prevent fires and damage.

4. Water Storage Strategies: Products like Water Brick International and WaterBOBs offer innovative solutions for storing potable water without consuming excessive space. They are particularly useful for apartment dwellers or those with limited storage.

5. Emergency Plan and Supplies: Having a personalized emergency plan and a well-stocked supply kit is crucial. This should include essentials like food, water, first aid, and tools, tailored to your and your family's needs.

Community Resilience as a Key Factor

The Oregon ice storm of 2024 not only tested our infrastructure but also galvanized community resilience and support. Neighbors reached out to one another, offering warm meals, sharing generators, and checking on the elderly and vulnerable. This spirit of communal aid was a beacon of hope amidst the chaos.

Community-based initiatives played a pivotal role. Local networks, formed by residents, faith groups, and small businesses, became lifelines, providing essential services and support where governmental responses were stretched thin.

Looking forward, communities can enhance their resilience by organizing local emergency response teams, conducting preparedness workshops, and establishing communication networks for rapid response. Such grassroots efforts can significantly bolster our collective ability to withstand and recover from future infrastructure failures. These stories of unity and cooperation serve as powerful reminders of the strength that lies in community solidarity.

Consider reaching out to the neighbors on your street and neighborhood about creating a group that can communicate, educate and organize in preparation for and during emergencies. This is yet another way to build community.

In the wake of the Oregon ice storm, the message is clear: personal and community preparedness is indispensable. We've seen firsthand that while government aid is crucial, it can be stretched thin. This experience urges us to take proactive steps - stocking up on essentials, learning survival skills, and strengthening community bonds. We need to be all about building a resilient community, ready to face nature's fury together.

The Collapse Curriculum’s mission is to teach value of being prepared so that together, we can fortify our communities for whatever lies ahead. Thanks for being a part of this!