I’m grateful to all of the readers out there who purchased my first book. Now, due to its success, a second edition was just released last week that contains more photos than the original book. It can be purchased on this website, on Smashwords.com, Apple and in Barnes & Noble bookstores. Thanks to everyone for your support! Robert Winter
After Hurricane Iniki hit Kauai in September of 1992, there were many families left homeless because their homes had been entirely destroyed. Many of these folks spent months in temporary spots and then in tents. They were forced to use outhouses and eat from campfires or at the disaster relief centers. And believe it or not, come December, I was still going to visit tent cities to search for people in order to complete FEMA inspection 
paperwork. This is how I found myself at the Hanamaulu Park tent city one morning. It had been raining for days and days and 100 or so households remained at this site because they had nowhere else to live.
I was walking around meeting up with folks when suddenly it occurred to me that these families would be in this tent city come this Christmas without anything. “Great,” I thought sarcastically to myself, “they’ll all have a delightful holiday season down here!” Suddenly, my inner Klinger-O’Reilly sprang to life. I could do something to improve their Christmas. I just knew I could! The wheels started to turn, and that was the first time it set in motion what would eventually develop into the idea for my C4DR organization.
Along my way, I have crossed paths with a few people who have tons of cash and charitable hearts. It was these people I reached out to in December of 1992, and they were willing to help me put together a Christmas for the families in #HanamauluPark. You can read more about this special Christmas (it is probably my favorite Christmas ever!) in my book.
Skip on over to my C4DR page and see if you’re not inspired to give to those suffering during disaster recovery.
In a true disaster, the governor of the state in which the disaster occurs will need to request federal help, and the President will need to declare a major disaster in the state and the county. This is the only way that residents of the area will be able to have any sort of disaster relief that comes from FEMA, even though they may have a number of local, county, and even state options for help right after the disaster takes place.
What Is a Disaster According to the Government?
It is important to remember that what you and your neighbors might consider a disaster might not meet the federal requirements for being an actual disaster. For the government to allow federal assistance from FEMA, the disaster must be serious and affect a large number of people. Some of the most recent examples of declared disasters include #HurricaneKatrina and Hurricane Sandy. Typically, a disaster, according to the government, happens when hundreds of homes are destroyed or damaged at the same time and a large number of people are displaced from their houses and apartments.
If your area or county can’t meet the requirements of the federal government when it comes to a disaster, then you simply won’t receive help from FEMA.
How Do You Prepare for a Disaster That FEMA Can’t Help?
Sometimes, you will be on your own, even though you and your neighbors might feel that you are living in a disaster area. Instead of waiting for something like this to happen and being at a loss, you should take steps to prepare. One of the best things to do is get high quality insurance for your property. Homeowners insurance is important, as is renters insurance for those who don’t own.
However, look at the fine print of what these policies will and will not cover. Make sure they are able to cover a range of different disasters and that they do not have loopholes for “Acts of God” and the like. Make sure it covers things such as flood, quake damage, wildfires, etc. Insurance isn’t the best answer; it’s the only answer if there is no government assistance.
Look at Local Programs for Some Help
When you don’t have anywhere else to turn after your home is gone and it looks as though FEMA help won’t be coming through, you can turn to local programs. Many times local charities and churches will set up temporary shelters and be able to provide clothing, food and a warm place to stay for those who need it. These can be real lifesavers. Celebrities4DisasterRelief.com is my new foundation to help disaster victims.
It might be a good idea to consider looking at some of the local programs set up in your neighborhood right now just to have a better idea of where to turn when you need help. You could also get to know your neighbors better, so you have a network of people in the area that can help one another when the chips are down. When the government is not there to help, we need to be able to be there for one another.
Keep in mind that sometimes help from the government just takes some time. It might be a few days or longer before they actually declare the area a disaster. If they do, then you will be eligible for help from FEMA. You can visit their site, call them, or talk with representatives who will likely be in the area about what you need to do to get assistance from them.
When #HurricaneIniki hit in 1992 and I headed over as a CFI with #FEMA to Kauai for the major relief effort, I used the local #radio station, KONG radio, to establish myself there on the island. I called in to the show and secured myself a guide and a driver from the airport (cool!). Accommodations were less than stellar— we were jammed ten to a room and sleeping on cots in a hotel conference room (not cool)!
I guess KONG liked my radio voice, because I was invited to the radio station to deliver disaster relief news and advice, which I did gladly. I gave praise to the Red Cross and told listeners about MARS units of portable phone banks that the military would make available.
I talked abo
ut some of the things the National Guard’s men could do to help. I informed people that they didn’t have to just sit and wait for help. We had Disaster Assistance Centers that could give them all of the basics—food, water, sleeping bags, lights, MREs and a hot meal at the center. I reminded people about the dangers of candles and the danger of ingesting contaminated tap water.
I consistently used the broadcasts to help the islanders be safe, get support and to get their inspections done. But it was hard for us inspectors to live like sardines, and we were growing more and more fatigued.
The radio broadcasts brought attention from other media outlets, and when I ended up on CNN, I used my airtime to tell the media they were hogging all of the available accommodations and not contributing to the relief effort (You can read more about this in my book).
FEMA heard about this broadcast and told me to stop being a part of any broadcast. They said I had no business giving out information. FEMA wanted to control everything that had their name associated with it, and directly attacking the media was not something they would endorse.
Well, now I’m back on the air, taking a chance and delivering the disaster preparedness message to an audience of over 10 million so far. And telling my stories.
If you haven’t heard my show in your market, you can listen to one of my interviews here, and get a copy of my book. I now have another book out, Disaster Manual for Financial Recovery which includes what you need in case of a disaster to get the most financial assistance from the government. Buy it here for your ebook reader or in paperback.
Have you visited me on Facebook? I’ve got my radio and personal appearances listed there, and there are a bunch coming up. Come say Hi!
It’s impossible to say what is “normal.” My Real FEMA Disaster Stories emphasize this fact. What’s normal to you might be bizarre to me, and so I won’t go there. Where does “Cyber Monday” fit? I won’t go there either, but in “honor of” the new National Holiday Cyber Monday, my Kindle edition is just $4.99. And you can “gift” an e-book version same as a print book if the person you need to buy for always has their tablet device nearby. This is a deal that will entertain and inform.
If you buy my print book, you can get the Kindle version for under $2! New to e-books? Try a free Kindle reading app and discover “the new normal.”
Thank You for my Freedom!
When I go into people’s homes for inspections and notice evidence on their walls that they or a member of their family served in the US Military, I always make sure to thank them for their service and thank them for my freedom before I leave their house. Sometimes they seem surprised. I guess it’ something not enough people do.
To honor the veterans this Veteran’s Day, I’m offering 50% off on my ebook.
(coupon expires after 11/12/14)
Robert Winter is a born protector. Whether he's bodyguarding in Vegas or assessing the damage of hurricane, he's always been the man for the job...
