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Holiday Puzzle 7 | Sequence of events?

by | Dec 21, 2023 | ,

When a disaster strikes, many things happen in order for aid to get to those who have been impacted. Here are some of the key steps, but in the wrong order!

Can you put them into the correct order?

  1. An event occurs.
  2. FEMA (and other federal agencies) provides federal aid.
  3. The President of the US declares an emergency.
  4. If state can’t provide enough help, they request aid from the federal government.
  5. If local authorities can’t provide enough help, they request aid from the state.

To get some hints, and to learn more about what it takes to get you aid in a crisis, read our article.

Open to reveal the answer

  1. An event occurs.
  2. If local authorities can’t provide enough help, they request aid from the state.
  3. If state can’t provide enough help, they request aid from the federal government.
  4. The President of the US declares an emergency.
  5. FEMA (and other federal agencies) provides federal aid.

There are many more steps in this process, This diagram shows just a few!

In general, help begins and ends at the local level. The state only gets involved if the local authorities needs help. The federal government only gets involved if the state needs help. To deliver aid to those who need it, both state and federal governments coordinate with local governments.

It is a complex but necessary process that aims to get aid to where it’s needed quickly, yet ensure accountability in the spending of tax dollars. Unfortunately, it means that it can take longer for people to get government help than many expect.

Fortunately, there are other sources of help, many of which arrive much more quickly!

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Holiday Puzzle 6 | It’s about timing!

by | Dec 19, 2023 | , , ,

A disaster, such as a wildfire or hurricane, is coming! When should you evacuate?

  1. When the newscasters make dire predictions about bad weather.
  2. When an evacuation warning is issued.
  3. When forest animals are running past you.
  4. When an evacuation order is issued.
  5. After you’ve packed the car, tidied the house, and you’re sure you have everything.
  6. When you actually see fire, water, or the whites of their eyes.
  7. Never!

For a hint and to learn more about evacuation timing, read our article.

Open to reveal the answer

You have to decide for yourself what you must do — Get meds? Pets? Supplies? — before leaving, but …

Earlier is always better than later.

The longer you wait to evacuate, the more you risk running into problems when you do. Traffic gets worse as more people leave, roads may close because of increasing danger, and hotel rooms, campgrounds and shelters fill up. If you wait too long, you risk being trapped, unable to get out, and emergency crews may not be able to get in. So, …

If you are unsure, feel threatened, or lose power or communications, leave!

In other words, no later than

4. When an evacuation order is issued.

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Holiday Puzzle 5 | A clue

by | Dec 18, 2023 | , ,

…
6. What’s the biggest threat to your home in a wildfire … and also the ending of two cold months?
…

For a hint and to learn more about why this is the biggest threat, read this article.

Open to reveal the answer

Evil embers burn 60% of the homes damaged in a wildfire. An ember can travel as much as 5 miles, although usually less than 1 mile.

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Holiday Puzzle 4 | Groans

by | Dec 17, 2023 | ,

Since it’s Sunday, we’ll let your brain relax. Here are some gallingly bad jokes instead.

  1. What did the metereologist use to get to happy hour on time?
  2. A blind man got hit by a tsunami …
  3. What part did Fozzie Bear land after he was fired from the Muppet Show?

For a hint, and to learn more about Fozzie Bear’s new starring role, read this article.

Open to reveal the answer

  1. A hurry cane
  2. He didn’t sea it coming
  3. Smoky Bear

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Holiday Puzzle 3 | It’s about time!

by | Dec 15, 2023 | , , ,

Imagine that you have to evacuate quickly, how long will it take you to leave? Consider:

  1. How long to get everyone out — everyone in the car and gone!?
  2. How long to gather essentials — medications, personal documents, cash, …?
  3. How long to pack basic needs — clothing, food, water, electronics, …?

Give us your estimate in the comments below.

For tips on what you might want to think about, see this checklist.

Open to reveal the answer

Alas, we don’t know how long it will take you to evacuate. However, here is a useful way for you to think about what it will take:

How many trips to the car is do you have time for?

  • Only 1? What will you take? How long will that take you?
  • Time for another? What will you take next? How long will that take?
  • Another?
  • …

Note that each trip requires more time rearranging the car (and maybe looking for bungee cords)!

No car? How much can you carry?

For 1 million bonus points: How long will it take you if you have prepared with handy-dandy checklists and a few pre-packed bags?

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