Aug 16, 2008 4:04 pm US/Eastern
Overconfidence Could Cost South Florida
MIAMI (New York Times) ―
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The cost of overconfidence in the probability of being affected by a Tropical Storm or Hurricane could be too much for many to bear.
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Storm season is here, and Tropical Storm Fay is approaching from the south, threatening South Florida with rain, winds and the possibility of mass destruction.
From the mayors of the South Florida counties to Governor Charlie Crist, everybody in a position of power is urging residents to begin preparations, to find shelter, and to make sure they have everything they need to weather the storm in relative comfort. But according to a study by the New York Times, Floridians may be less prepared than every to withstand a major storm.
The newspaper says a faltering economy and quiet storm seasons since 2005 has most people at a dangerous level of overconfidence. Worse, according to a Harvard study released in July, there's a major distrust of hurricane shelters following the response to Hurricane Katrina. About 25 percent of people surveyed in the eight states most affected by hurricanes are planning on staying home if a storm hits.
Resident overconfidence could be extremely costly to South Florida's governments. When people are unprepared, they're less likely to board up windows, stay inside or stock up on gas, food and water. That could lead to more clean-up following a storm. According to Mayor Carlos Alvarez of Miami-Dade County, even a Category 1 hurricane could cost the county tens of millions of dollars.
(CBS/New York Times)
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