Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Club Hears Of Procedures Foillowing Emergency

Members of the Gurdon Rotary Club were told what to do in the event of an emergency.

Rev. Lloyd Perry, chairman of the Methodist Church Disaster Relief Committee, said Arkansas is subject to four different kinds of disasters: tornadoes, floods, fire and earthquake. However, it's been a while since there's been a major earthquake in the state.

There are other minor disasters as well, he said.

The first defense after a catastrophe is insurance companies. But, if the problem is large enough for the federal government to get involved with, then the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) shows up.

However, Perry said, the first thing to happen after a disaster is the area gets secured, usually by law enforcement officers, but sometimes, as was the case with the March 1, 1997, storms, the Arkansas National Guard is called in.

This is done to prevent looting, and keep people out of potentially dangerous areas.

Once the area is secured, other volunteer agencies get into the act, if they are invited.

There are a lot of agencies, Perry said, available to help fill in gaps, but there's also quite a bit of paperwork involved if a home has been destroyed.

What many people don't realize is FEMA gives out small business loan applications after a disaster. It is important, Perry said, for these forms to be filled out and turned back in. "Then hope it's turned down."

This is because if the application is accepted the person gets a loan and has to repay the money. But, if it's rejected there are grants available to help with the rebuilding.

Perry added the loans are often not enough to rebuild with. At this time, he said, the minimum loan is $14,000.

As the situation begins to calm down somewhat, long-term unmet needs committees begin coming together to help find those who may fall through the cracks and prevent this from happening.

Churches normally work to raise money to help those affected, as do other agencies and entities.

"It's a complex situation," he said. "We use federal, state, local, city, state and volunteer help to return to normal."

The first responders do "band aid" clean up work to make the area somewhat accessible, before the real clean up work can begin.

Perry said the best thing people can do when a tornado is coming is get away from windows. Most injuries, he continued, are caused by flying debris.

He added it isn't a bad idea to open windows to equalize the air pressure inside with the pressure outside.

Tornadoes, Perry said, are low pressure centers and can cause buildings to implode because of the difference in air pressure.

Unfortunately, he added, there are those who prey on the less fortunate.

Scam artists tend to show up at disaster scenes offering to help individuals with their recovery effort for a nominal fee. "Just say no," Perry said, "when approached by such people."

While you can meet some of the best people in the world at a disaster site, he said, you can also meet some of the worst.