Cummings 1

Notebook #8

Rebecca Cummings

English 2010, Section 4

Jackie Burr, Instructor

In the article “Are States Really Prepared?” Amy C. Hughes wrote a report on the

national funding for natural disasters. Hughes believes that the national funding is inadequate.

Hughes explains that natural disasters are not stressed on enough. She claims that the focus of

the government is mostly focused on terrorism attacks and elections, and that natural disasters

are almost, in a way, ignored by the government. She also stated that funding for the basic

preparedness for emergencies has gone down by a lot; the money instead going to funds for

terrorism prevention. This leaves the states with the burden of paying for natural disasters, but

this may cause the states to be unprepared to pay the costs and possibly underfunded. These

natural disasters cost billions of dollars, and the state has no way to pay the entire cost. Hughes

goes on to examine the funding, spending, and organizing of emergency management programs

in all 50 states. In the 1990’s, the funding for emergency management was great, and both the

federal government and the states were doing their parts to pay the costs. However, after the

terrorists attacks on September 11, the federal government shifted their focus to funding

terrorism prevention plans. Average spending for disaster management declined by 2 million

dollars for each separate state. Another problem is that “in disaster management, it is important

to consider all phases from the first sign of danger, until the last brick is replaced. Any weak link

in the chain can leave states vulnerable to the next hazard: and, if too much emphasis is placed

on terrorism, states may be less prepared for the inevitable fire, flood, earthquake or hurricane.”
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To conclude, Hughes has said many things about the unpreparedness of state in the U.S., and

might even suggest that states will never be prepared enough for when a natural disaster does hit.

I believe that what Amy Hughes has said has some truth, but also some false ideas. It is

true that funding may not be as high as it could or should be, but that does not make states

completely unprepared. I believe that the citizens of each state play a big role in the preparedness

of the entire state. There are many ways that the people can help their state to be prepared for a

disaster, and to fix the damage caused by a disaster. First is that they can be made aware of the

situation, and of what natural disasters they should expect to prepare for. The people can also

prepare by stocking up on food and supplies, putting together a first aid kit, practicing evacuation

plans, donating food and money to the cause, and much more. It is never hopeless. If the people

help the state by preparing themselves and by donating to the state, then each state will be well

prepared for any natural disaster.

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Work Cited

Hughes, Amy C. “Are States Really Prepared?” State News (Council of State Governments),

vol. 47, no. 8, Sept. 2004, pp. 19–21. EBSCOhost,

search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=14853648&site=ehost-live.