CHARLESTON, SC NEWS - LIVE 5 WCSC Breaking News, Weather, SportsNOLA general: Charleston residents not set for big disaster
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By Ian Silver bio | email | Twitter
CHARLESTON, SC (WCSC) - He's called the general who saved New Orleans, and retired Army Lieutenant General Russel Honore was in Charleston Monday night to talk about being prepared.
"We need to change our ways," Honore said. "We need to not plan on being victims, but teach ourselves how to be survivors. We need to teach our people how to be survivors."
That's the lesson Honore says he took from the disaster in New Orleans that followed Hurricane Katrina.
"As with most American cities the challenge is... I think the government here is well prepared, but like most American cities, they haven't prepared the people," said Honore.
Honore says that in a city that faces the possibility of earthquakes, hurricanes and devastating floods, local and state governments have good plans in place but the majority of the people are not fully prepared enough.
When we look at the amount of property and lives lost as the result of these disasters I think we need to re-prioritize some of that money to get our people educated and prepared to deal with disasters," said Honore.
Honore says it's especially important to put plans in place to help those who are least-prepared to take care of themselves after a disaster.
"[The plan] has to be focused on taking care of Railroad Street; the elderly, the disabled and the poor," said Honore. "And that counts for a third of our population. We need to remember that. And the way to fix it is through education."
At the least, Honore says every Lowcountry resident should be prepared with what he calls the big three.
"It says you oughta have an evacuation kit in case you have to leave your home," said Honore. "You need to have cash in that kit, because the ATMs won't be working. You need to have three days supply of food and water at home in case the mayor or the governor tell you to shelter at home. And you need to have a weather radio so you can stay informed. I mean that's the three basic steps of the Red Cross."
Honore says the country also needs more people trained in basic first aid. He says other countries require first aid training before people can get their driver license. He says having that many people trained in the United States could save thousands of lives after future disasters.
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