EDITORIAL: Who delivered — and who didn’t — on Hurricane Irma’s test | Editorial
Gov.
Gov.
President
Television forecasters: (Thumbs up) For all of Hurricane Irma's wobbles and shifts, weather forecasters gave us fair warning about a storm expected to be bigger and badder than anything we'd ever seen. And though you can criticize TV reporters' risk-taking, absent such images, some people might not understand the threat.
Spaghetti models: (So-so) Yes, computer models and the forecast "cone" provided much-needed warnings. But days of shifting "spaghetti" models was enough to make us swear off pasta. And what's with that "vaunted European model?" Why did
FPL: (Thumbs down) Given that FPL spent
Memorial Regional Hospital ER staff: (Thumbs up) Kudos to Memorial's emergency room team for demanding that attention be paid to the nursing home across the street after three of its patients arrived in distress. They surely saved lives.
Sens.
First responders: (Thumbs up) Police officers and sheriff's deputies across the region guarded our homes against looters, stopped arguments at gas pumps and kept our streets safe. Firefighters and paramedics similarly put their sense of duty first. These folks deserve our gratitude for working around the clock, away from their families. We are better because of them.
Looters: (Thumbs down) Throw the book at 'em.
Cellphone and cable companies: (Thumbs down) Why does the brush of a hurricane have such a prolonged crippling effect on mobile and cable service? We've heard criticisms of
Evacuation routes: (Thumbs down) State emergency management officials need to rethink the plan for mass evacuations. Suspending tolls is not enough. In
Tanker truck drivers: (Thumbs up) When most traffic was headed north, drivers hauling gas kept trucking south. Along with power company trucks from other states, they looked like the cavalry.
Demanding bosses: (Thumbs down) Most Florida companies put employee safety above their bottom lines. But a
Closed parking garages: (Thumbs down) Unless reserved for first responders or emergency crews, public parking garages should be made available for residents' cars. Many were open. But others, including one on
Autoline in
Risky trees: (Thumbs down) Homeowners who plant trees susceptible to high winds -- and those who fail to trim trees prior to hurricane season -- put themselves and neighbors at risk. In
Construction cranes: (Thumbs down) The public was told construction cranes could withstand 145 mph winds, but as tropical storm-force winds hit
Attorney General
Amazon: (Thumbs down) The online retailer came under fire for selling bottled water and gallon jugs of water well above the going rate. People also complained that Amazon Prime's promised two-days shipments for needed storm goods -- like flashlights and battery-operated fans -- would not be delivered until after the storm.
Inflexible airlines: (Thumbs down) Flight scheduling headaches made stressful situations more difficult. Prices shouldn't jump when people want to evacuate or return home later. The same with those trying to reschedule vacations and other travel because they don't want to be away from home.
Public schools: (Thumbs up) Though public schools were closed for the week, some reopened early to provide free meals to low-income students. Public schools also served as emergency shelters, with many principals, teachers and staff staying on to help. Let's hear it for our public schools.
Shelter workers: (Thumbs up) Volunteers passed out blankets, served food and tried to calm people who'd fled their homes. Volunteer nurses turned out in great numbers, too, helping make a scary situation more bearable.
Neighbors: (Thumbs up) Whether long-time friends or saying their first hellos, South Floridians helped neighbors before, during and after the storm. We helped with shutters. We checked on shut-ins. We offered phones to those without service. And as the power slowly returned, we opened our air-conditioned homes to others.
Charitable groups: (Thumbs up) Businesses, civic groups and religious communities stepped up in a big way to help those in need of a hot meal. As one example,
Social media: (Thumbs up) Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms helped South Floridians share information and signal they were OK. Posts about working gas pumps, extra shutters and even an indoor pet port-o-potty (kiddie pool with sod) helped make Irma more bearable -- so long as your WiFi and cell service survived.
Street cleanup crews: (Thumbs up) After Irma swept the beach inland, cleanup crews quickly removed piles of sand from beachfront streets and roadways. Except for new curbside dunes, you'd never know these streets were once covered in sand. City and county crews did a great job getting
The media: (Thumbs up) Journalists on television, online and in print provided people with information about Irma's ever-changing path, how to prepare and how to be safe (or entertained) in the aftermath. We, too, put public service ahead of concerns about home and family. So the next time someone says the media pushes "fake news," set them straight.
Florida Public Radio Emergency Network: (Thumbs up) This emergency network provided critical information during the scariest part of the storm. And hooray for WLRN's daylong local call-in shows, too.
City and state leaders: (Thumbs up) Many mayors, city council members, county commissioners and state legislators stepped up to help. Their social media posts and media interviews helped spread information. It's dangerous to name names because we'll miss so many, but let us start with
Editorials are the opinion of the Sun Sentinel Editorial Board and written by one of its members or a designee. The Editorial Board consists of Editorial Page Editor
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