Dear Editor, A survey from the San Rafael-based Disability
Rights Enforcement
&
amp; Education Services concludes there is no disaster plan in
place to evacuate Bay Area disabled following a severe earthquake
or storm emergency.
Dear Editor,
A survey from the San Rafael-based Disability Rights Enforcement & Education Services concludes there is no disaster plan in place to evacuate Bay Area disabled following a severe earthquake or storm emergency. As in New Orleans, about 28 percent of the Bay Area disabled are poor, and would have no private transportation for evacuation. “Nobody ever put any thought or insight into it or made any game plan,” says Craig Yates, spokesman for the Mann County Metropolitan Transportation Commission.
In contrast, MHPD Chief Bruce Cumming and Santa Clara County Fire Department Battalion Chief Ken Kehmna assure us there is a disaster plan in place for Morgan Hill. It would be reassuring to read the plan so we can evaluate what would be done – or not done. As a case in point, what happened to Santa Clara Valley Water District’s promise of flood control? SCVWD began its Llagas Creek Flood Control Project in 1972, providing flood control for Gilroy, but not for San Martin and Morgan Hill. In 2000 SCVWD asked voters for a new parcel tax to help extend flood control to Morgan Hill. Although Measure B, “Clean Safe Creeks and Natural Flood Protection Plan,” was successful, Morgan Hill is still without flood control. Why?
What happened to our Morgan Hill emergency radio channel (1610 AM)? During a disaster power will be out, and Morgan Hill residents will need to depend on battery –powered radios for emergency information. Why was our emergency station discontinued?
Somehow I’m not reassured when Morgan Hill Police Chief Bruce Cumming tells us that flying a 747 into Anderson Dam will not breach the dam. Aside from 911, a more logical reassurance would come from knowing that severe flooding or an earthquake would not cause the dam to rupture. What earthquake magnitude will Anderson withstand?
Where can Morgan Hill citizens get a copy of Morgan Hill’ s disaster plan, so all of us can study it long before disaster strikes?
Jim Groff, Morgan Hill
