A review of the Hawke's Bay cyclone response finds officials were hampered by communications failures, lack of data and 'the speed, severity and extent' of the disaster.
Of course the civil defence preparation and therefore our (our national - everyone of us )failed in Gabriel. Of course we inevitably were not enough. Facing that tumultuous challenge - that assault by our damaged eco-system. How could we not fail. We failed. We are not bad. We were not sufficiently ready. Not fit for purpose. Our kiwi system of readiness has been shown to be wanting. That’s not to say thank you to all the volunteers and first responders who gave up weekends to practice and be ready. Who poured out and into action.
Our System was not fit. Not good enough - in
the event.
System has to be improved. But we are not fit to meet the events of the next ten to twenty five years. We should examine and act with all our rivers systems, reintroduce wet-lands at pace, undertake relocation from foreshore properties at risk of flood. Reconsider realities of agriculture with rising waters. Replant natives at a higher rate. Just for starters. But never forget the hundreds of heroes on the day who just got out stuck in with a spirit of helping, immediacy, spontaneity, even playfulness and some courage. All over the place people helped and saved neighbours. No way they failed. Our system was not up for it. “Room for improvement”!
Of course the civil defence preparation and therefore our (our national - everyone of us )failed in Gabriel. Of course we inevitably were not enough. Facing that tumultuous challenge - that assault by our damaged eco-system. How could we not fail. We failed. We are not bad. We were not sufficiently ready. Not fit for purpose. Our kiwi system of readiness has been shown to be wanting. That’s not to say thank you to all the volunteers and first responders who gave up weekends to practice and be ready. Who poured out and into action.
Our System was not fit. Not good enough - in
the event.
System has to be improved. But we are not fit to meet the events of the next ten to twenty five years. We should examine and act with all our rivers systems, reintroduce wet-lands at pace, undertake relocation from foreshore properties at risk of flood. Reconsider realities of agriculture with rising waters. Replant natives at a higher rate. Just for starters. But never forget the hundreds of heroes on the day who just got out stuck in with a spirit of helping, immediacy, spontaneity, even playfulness and some courage. All over the place people helped and saved neighbours. No way they failed. Our system was not up for it. “Room for improvement”!
The lunar eclipse was monday night :(