BLIZZARD RESPONSE?

Rev. Dr. King would be heartbroken but not surprised at the Buffalo blizzard response. As of January 23, at least 47 have died in WNY from December’s blizzard. Thousands suffered tremendously, with damage yet to be determined. Until we have a revolution of values and priorities in Buffalo/WNY, our racism, materialism, and militarism will persist. Events abound honoring the blizzard’s heroes. The first was GC Global Event Center (4279 Delaware Ave, Tonawanda). We all honor them: everyday citizens whose love, courage, and compassion drove them to selfless action. They should be proud and resoundingly praised.

Our government officials are a different story. They failed to keep us safe. Their mistakes include:

Extremely poor planning. They knew this blizzard would be terrible, yet the County travel ban was only announced 8 am, after the blizzard had started, under 2 hours from activation.

Inadequate equipment. While top city officials deny this, rank-and-file employees have attested to it. Historically slow plowing in Buffalo indicates that we have inadequate snow equipment. And only 2 warming stations operated in Buffalo: others – without generators – lost power.

Delayed action. National Guard and other people and equipment only came afterward for cleanup; they were not on hand to help in an emergency. ignoring social determinants of the ability to prepare. Those living with poverty, disability, etc., are often unable to get provisions nor to keep themselves warm and safe for a sufficient time.

Worst of all:  choosing things over people: Rather than rescuing people freezing in snowbanks, cars, and homes; or providing emergency medical transport; police were mobilized on Monday or Tuesday, 12/26-27, for the “Anti-Looting Taskforce.” 

Its opportunity cost was more deaths, choosing punishment over support: Rather than helping individuals working to protect or save family/friends/strangers whose predicaments they’d heard about, the police were ticketing people at checkpoints for ignoring the driving ban. While some people may not have needed to go out, many did it to Protect and Serve the most vulnerable. We don’t condone looting. However, some were mere survival – not called looting elsewhere, and video cams enable deferring such investigations. Amplifying the “looting story” distracted the media, drawing attention away from the government’s lethal failings.  Of note, public utilities’ equipment was clearly inadequate. Corporations should have plowed earnings into equipment upgrades and weatherizing rather than profits.

FYI, you can report storm damage at 211 WNY Disaster Damage Reporting Form:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdiQWDVqCYxwelbOOKB6MPZftJZDOYQLG_qYzKkGUM4NGJ1Ug/viewform

Climate Catastrophe means we can expect more ferocious storms. We’ve yet to hear acknowledgment from officials that their efforts fell short. Failure to admit to mistakes is a real impediment to improving performance. Do our leaders put people before property and profits?