A stitch in time saves billions

Failing to make proper and timely repairs to the levees in New Orleans resulted in damage that will cost U.S. taxpayers billions. According to the Washington Post, the Corps of Engineers estimates it will cost $1.15 billion just to restore the levees; however...

The law says FEMA must only restore facilities to their previous quality, which the Corps expects to do for New Orleans levees. But state and local leaders say that evidently is not good enough for the flood-control barriers.

If unchanged, the federal government's policy will set the stage for second catastrophic flooding of New Orleans, and more loss of life. State officials estimate it will cost another $2.3 billion to repair damage to state facilities, including the Superdome, writes the Post. These are just a fraction of the total cost for reconstruction of homes, businesses, and the environment, debris removal, health care, relocation, and other expenses.

The cost of failing to be proactive - to plan, prepare and mitigate the anticipated effects of a major disaster -can be staggering. But, even after Katrina, many managers in government and the private sector still are not proactive, and still do understand why they need a plan. The same managers probably would not dream of telling their daughters, "Don't bother to plan for the wedding, honey, - just tell everyone when to show up."

Rather than horse show executives and lawyers heading national preparedness programs, perhaps what the nation needs are a few good wedding organizers.

La. Wants FEMA to Pay for Majority of Damage to State Property. Spencer S. Hsu and Ceci Connolly, Washington Post, October 28, 2005, A14