Our Voice

Unlike many other states, Georgia does not have to constantly worry about earthquakes, hurricanes or even landslides. Here in Milledgeville we remain especially untouched. Perhaps our nonchalance toward natural disasters has caused the recent flooding threat to create one of two reactions – worry in individuals or apathy in entities finding it a source of humor and speculation.

However, emerging pictures of the Oconee Greenway show that our “distance” from this issue is not so distant. Turns out, the issue could actually cause significant damage to many of our townspeople’s homes and business properties. If the rain continues Milledgeville could have serious repercussions, perhaps leaving some people stranded or with large amounts of property damage.

As many news outlets reported, as of Wednesday, 10 people had died in the floods in the Southeast. One of the deceased was only 2-years-old and was reportedly ripped from his father’s arms as their mobile home was swept away into a nearby creek. Is this a joking matter? Is the city of Milledgeville wrong for preparing our town for the worst as well? No. The truth is that this deluge has caused Gov. Sonny Perdue to declare a state of emergency in 17 counties in Georgia. Pleading for federal aid for the destruction and loss already endured, it is predicted that there is $250 million worth of damage across Georgia.

University campuses spanning metro-Atlanta have had serious flooding issues, with some dorms being flooded and cars under water. According to state emergency officials, around 30,000 homes were without electricity due to the storms this week. In 72 hours alone 15 to 20 inches of rain cascaded over the rooftops of our nearby neighbor to the north and home for many students – Atlanta.

It is only reasonable to expect our city to prepare for the worst with such damage so close in proximity to us. Joking about Milledgeville’s “premature worrying” is a foolish remark. Rather, GCSU and the city of Milledgeville should be thankful for any early steps that were taken in preparing for local flooding. Was it not a lack of early response and preparation that sealed the fates of many people when Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast?

As it is, the National Weather Service has declared that the Southeast flooding was “far worse than the hurricane-level damage from 2005.” With this type of response, GCSU and Milledgeville are right to fret and plan against any repercussions from any future, problematic downpour.

Please send responses to

ColonnadeLetters@gcsu.edu.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Sep 25 2009. Filed under Our Voice. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry