Right you are. I'm an idiot. Sorry. :mad: So I can't POSSIBLY live in a state that doesn't have a 2-1-1 system. Yep. Because that map shows that almost all states have at least 20% coverage. Guess what? My state DOESN'T have the system. So there ARE states out there.

Be informed. That's all. KNOW whether or not you have the coverage in your state and know WHERE that coverage extends BEFORE you might try to call or use it in a disaster situation.

BTW, one of the things that 2-1-1 will NOT answer and for which they DO get calls is, "Where's the closest location to me that I can get pizza?" That, seriously, is a question they discussed at the IMPLEMENTATION meeting in my state.

ok ... my turn ... i have read each and every post on this subject ... i have gone from being totally upset by what i read ... to calming down and understanding some of the things all are saying ... first ... i hope everyone who was affected by ike are safe ... this being said ...

before we all start pointing fingers and placing blame we need to stop and truly look at our own personal responsibility ... we were not forced to live in the areas we live in ... we choose to ... so in choosing to live in an area (weither the choice was job related or personal) one should at least have a basic knowledge of the terraine and weather ... you dont move north and then yell at the agencies around because your freezing, there is snow on the ground and all you have is "florida" clothes ... you go and get a coat and pants and sweaters ... ect ...same thing goes for living in a hurricane area ... you plan what to do if it does come ... remember as kids when our teachers taught us fire drills ... we did them over and over ... not because we knew one was happening but because we knew there is always that chance ... same thing applies here ... each person must "do drills" like we as kids did ... set up a emergancy kit ... listen to the news ... weither it is tv, radio, or word of mouth ... the news is out there for anyone to hear ... and listen to the advise given ... above all ... know what you personally will want to do if the unexpected happens ... it all boils down to this ... we are responsible for we ... us ... your family ... yourself ... however you want to see it ... the agencies out there are to ASSIST in times of need not make it all go away ...
we must do our part also
as for the ike devistation ... people there were told repeatedly what to do both in evactuation and in the ultimate choice of staying ... we have to learn to listen and to stop thinking that we know best in all things ... sometimes someone else knows more than us ...
ok ... i said my part ... sorry if it rambles and is hard to follow ... adhd ... brain jumps from one thought to another before i can type the first thought out ... lol

Illinois isn't 2-1-1 covered yet. That surprises me.

Hey Deb, nobody told me to evacuate in OHIO!!!!..:D

I know what you're saying and agree, but I also agree wholeheartedly with River. Having just come from a week of fear and some isolation, I can say that our City and our Power Co. did not do enough to assure it's citizens and customers were safe and would be OK.

It was neighbors helping neighbors that got most of us through this crisis. :grouphug: Government is great for taking our taxes and making war but, are not too good in the helping dept. They do the best they can and that is sad, my friends.:(

what happened in indiana and ohio caught everyone off guard ... i hope my post didn't offend anyone ... if i did i am sorry

Well, I've really tried to keep my cool but what I just read in our local paper really ****** me off! Our wonderful power company is going to ask for a rate increase to cover the cost of the power outage. I'm sorry, but WTF? :mad:

Governor Strickland has asked for $7 million emergency funding for Ohio for disaster recovery efforts. Why don't the CEO's of this power company forgo their annual bonuses for sitting on their dead you know what's to cover the cost? Grrr.

Oh Sally, did you see the Saturday paper with the 90 year old woman who was holding a sign saying "__&_ Sucks"? My supervisor's going to bring in the paper so I can see it. I swear if I saw her I'd run up and give her a hug! :D

Yes, doesn't that just chill your willy..Sheeeeeeesh!!:mad:

I did see that sweet little ole lady with the sign...LOL...Too funny!!!

please post this photo of my new hero please....

I searched for it at DaytonDailyNews, but couldn't find it...Maybe you'll have better luck.:)