Storm should be a learning opportunity

The recent blizzard and hurricane winds impacting the island of Newfoundland have been an eye-opening experience for the citizens of the region and all Canadians. Nightly national newscasts shared stories and pictures that astonished people with the ferocity of the storm and the resulting response of Newfoundlanders.

Many stories were shared on social media and on daily news sites of the dedication and inspired resilience of numerous first responders, health-care workers, members of the media and so many others, who provided expert care and support in this unprecedented storm. Their fortitude and bravery cannot be underestimated and applauded.

The generosity and humour of Newfoundlanders shone through and inspired people worldwide to be amazed at the people of this unique and wonderful place.

However, before this unprecedented storm fades into memory, now is the critical time to gather a range of expertise among many different sectors and to bring people together.

Now is the time to do a full investigation into how everyone dealt with the civic emergency and the issues arising from it. So much critical knowledge has been experienced and learned from the events of the past couple of weeks.

The lasting impacts that this immense storm caused requires a co-ordinated deconstruction, analysis and response by all levels of government, business and other critical civic agencies to identify all the matters involved in such a cataclysmic event.

Not the least and likely the most compelling are the clear effects of the climate change emergency facing us. The storm had no comparison in living memory.

The hurricane winds were frightening and destroyed infrastructure and livelihoods.

The financial tolls on a small province will be a huge burden for many years. Immediate financial assistance must flow from federal emergency resources to provide repair and support. Small businesses which are the economic engine of the province are facing huge financial hurdles and this storm may be the straw that breaks some backs for sure.

John Gushue wrote an excellent article (Jan. 25, 2020) on the CBC NL news site that highlighted a critical omission that needs to be addressed immediately, that “the old Emergency Measures Organization was nowhere to been seen during the storm and its recovery.”

If this storm has not taught civic, business and political leaders and ordinary citizens a hard lesson, then nothing will. This is a wake-up call for all of us to learn from and to address matters so that when the next big storm or any number of cataclysmic events occur then citizens will be better prepared, informed and able to withstand future catastrophic events.

Thus, we can build an effective Emergency Measures Organization well suited to the 21st century.

Anne Campbell

St. John’s