Let me begin by saying that this article in no way means to criticize the people who have suffered desperately in a disaster zone.
As a proactive trainer in risk management and loss prevention, we know that the only way to reduce future loss and suffering is to study the past, implement procedures, standards, and plan for future events to minimize or marginalize potential disaster. In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, there were significant failures of the necessary infrastructure.
Millions of people throughout the north-eastern part of the USA went without power and other vital services. A week after the storm over 700,000 still had no electrical power. Significant portions of the natural gas infrastructure had to be abandoned in an unprecedented move to rebuild service.
Suddenly when people are unable to obtain these “basic needs,” people do things that would otherwise be considered crazy. Such was the case in NYC and the surrounding areas in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. (Sandy made landfall in NYC on October 29, 2012.) There were numerous people offering sex for gasoline on Craigslist. Others are offering silver and gold for gas and other necessities. All this only one week into the disaster in one of the most civilized countries in the world. Our government has not collapsed, our country is not in chaos, yet these poor people are suffering. Hundreds of trucks and tens of hundreds of workers flowed in from electric providers all over the USA to help restore power.
