Some disaster lessons, pre-, during and post-

RNS pointed to this over at Bayou Renaissance Man, and it's very worth reading.

One of the things he points out, that didn't get nearly the notice it should have, is the stuff in Third Post: trouble with other people who realize you actually prepared, and trouble from the authorities on several levels. Including #4, which I'm posting this excerpt of:
...Other families were arbitrarily separated upon rescue and/or evacuation, and are still scattered across two or three States. Their efforts to locate each other are very difficult, and when they request to be reunited at a common location, all of those with whom I have contact report a blanket refusal by the Red Cross and State officials to even consider the matter at this time. They're being informed that it will be "looked into" at some future date, and that they may have to pay the costs involved if they want to join up again. This, to families who are now destitute! I'm very angry about this, but it's so widespread a problem that I don't know what can be done about it. I hope that in future, some means will be implemented to prevent it happening again. Lesson learned: never, EVER allow yourselves to be separated as a family, even if it means waiting for later rescue and/or evacuation. Insist on this at all costs!