There’s no question that Ronald Reagan wasn’t a big fan of government. He was famous for saying, “The most terrifying words in the English language are: I’m from the government and I’m here to help.” This sentiment is shared by many in this country, especially when it comes to emergency preparedness.
Evidence of this can be seen in the recent California drought crisis where calls for a voluntary 20% reduction in water consumption have gone pretty much ignored. Now, the government has stepped in to impose mandatory water restrictions for 270 days to curb activity. Those who are found to be in violation are subject to fines of $500 or more.
If you’re wondering what some of the restrictions are, they include:
Californians use up to 50% of their water on outdoor landscaping, which is why so many of the restrictions are focused on landscaping. Yet, the effectiveness of these regulations will be determined by whether or not citizens take them seriously. Only time will tell here.
However, what is known is that many of us have a distrust of government on emergency preparedness. There have been way too many instances of failure by local and national governments. Some of the most striking images from the Hurricane Katrina disaster, for example, were of citizens waiting for help from FEMA and local authorities. Some were forced to wait on their rooftops for help; others were stuck in the Superdome with little else but the clothes on their backs.
If history is any indication, these regulations will not be enough to negate the consequences of the drought in California. Food shortages and water rationing are very likely. It’s even possible for more extreme weather scenarios to occur because of the drought, including earthquakes.
As we wait to see what happens, now is the time to get prepared. In addition to setting up an emergency preparedness plan, we encourage you to take action by picking up long-term emergency food supplies. Although your local government may not be ready to handle the effects of an emergency situation, that doesn’t mean you should sit on the sidelines as well. Keep your family safe today with active preparation.
