Act NOW to define the scope of work that will maximize our return on investment and provide the greatest protection. Flood preparedness not only is shoring up the levees though that is the heart and soul of any effort to protect the public. But we also should take steps to prevent local jurisdictions from approving construction in high risk areas without accepting responsibility for those decisions along with any developer or home buyer who, with proper knowledge, chooses to build and live in such locations.

And as with any preparedness planning, prevention is not the only concern. In the advent of a catastrophe occurring regardless, we should make sure that we have adequate emergency supplies on hand to tide evacuees over until Federal help can arrive (food, medicine, blankets and shelter, for example). We also must make certain that evacuation routes are available, in good repair, and that citizens have been briefed in advance as to how to evacuate. Public transport vehicles must be pre-identified locally and automatically turned over for disaster relief when the appropriate level of authority so declares one to exist. The National Guard also should be a predefined primary augmenter to local police and rescue forces. Finally, advance training must take place using realistic scenarios, and expected life saving forces must have primary and backup roles identified by position and, if possible, by name of the incumbent.

Sacramento Bee’s summary: Believes shoring up the levees is key to protecting the public. Thinks the state should take steps to prevent local jurisdictions from approving construction in high-risk areas without accepting responsibility for those decisions.

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