Fast Facts:
candace.mccowan@wreg.com
(Memphis, 4/16/09) He's called the general who saved New Orleans after Katrina or the "John Wayne" of the bayou.
"Its almost four years later and the city's still recovering," said General Russel Honore. He said he can take one look at Memphis, and see like most places, this city isn't prepared for a major disaster, "What would this place look like if there were no power? If there is a earthquake there would be no power, no electricity."
With the city on top of a major fault line, Honore looks at trees, the proximity to the river and glass windows as all things that would cause problems if disaster were to hit the Bluff City. And just like in Katrina, he says a major concern is the poor, "In every city there is a 9th ward and that is where the poor people live."
He says everyone can learn from the disaster in New Orleans. For cities like Memphis, he encourages a plan that includes satellite based communications and cell phone towers that can be lowered before and raised after a disaster for basic communication.
Although he appreciates the John Wayne reference, he knows in reality, there is no riding off in to the sunset when disaster strikes, "He had a chance to re-shoot every scene. In a disaster you have once to take care of people and save lives."
The general did say disaster plans have their cost. He said for every dollar spent preparing will equal nine dollars in recovery cost.
General Honore is now retired from the military. His first book, "Survival" will be out next month.
- General Russel Honore looks at Memphis disaster preparedness.
- He says Memphis like most cities could use more preparation.
- He talks about the cost of disaster with preparation.
candace.mccowan@wreg.com
(Memphis, 4/16/09) He's called the general who saved New Orleans after Katrina or the "John Wayne" of the bayou.
"Its almost four years later and the city's still recovering," said General Russel Honore. He said he can take one look at Memphis, and see like most places, this city isn't prepared for a major disaster, "What would this place look like if there were no power? If there is a earthquake there would be no power, no electricity."
With the city on top of a major fault line, Honore looks at trees, the proximity to the river and glass windows as all things that would cause problems if disaster were to hit the Bluff City. And just like in Katrina, he says a major concern is the poor, "In every city there is a 9th ward and that is where the poor people live."
He says everyone can learn from the disaster in New Orleans. For cities like Memphis, he encourages a plan that includes satellite based communications and cell phone towers that can be lowered before and raised after a disaster for basic communication.
Although he appreciates the John Wayne reference, he knows in reality, there is no riding off in to the sunset when disaster strikes, "He had a chance to re-shoot every scene. In a disaster you have once to take care of people and save lives."
The general did say disaster plans have their cost. He said for every dollar spent preparing will equal nine dollars in recovery cost.
General Honore is now retired from the military. His first book, "Survival" will be out next month.
