We had a serious weather incident a couple of months ago when unusually heavy rains flooded basements and some neighborhoods and washed out roads and bridges. That now appears minor compared to the weather incidents now affecting the central part of Colorado. One thing is becoming increasingly clearer and that is that our weather patterns are changing. Another is that the effects of these new patterns are overwhelming parts of our infrastructure that was not designed for this.
It appears obvious that we can expect to see violent weather striking close to home more and more often in the future. How can we prepare for the next incident?
I think government has an important role that it can play here. Not just the national and regional services but we really need help from people close to the action. Local governmental officials who can come out, put boots on the ground, be where it is happening and provide needed services. Some of those services are listed here:
Monitor area weather
Provide warnings that include local area layout
establish a command post for coordinating data
from weather services
from other governmental agencies
from affected people
from affected businesses
from businesses who might have response functions
Develop a basic response plan
coordinate rescue operations and evacuations
begin to develop a rebuilding plan tailored to actual situation
Of course, this is only a sketch. Other people who have more experience with this type of action would have other ideas. But I think that this area is an important one for our community. And I believe it is a proper role for government to play. We are now hearing reports that as many as 1,000 people may now be missing in this rain now hitting Colorado. Our recent flooding may be only a warning of what is coming.
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