As I am writing this newsletter, residents of Texas and Florida are struggling to recover from Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. Millions of people are trying to recover from two of the most damaging natural disasters in our nation’s history. Thousands of homes have been damaged, many completely destroyed, by the relentless wind, overwhelming rain and resulting storm surge and flooding. Some of you have reached out to support residents via donations, some of you have even sacrificed your time and other resources travelling to the disaster zone to assist with the rescue or recovery efforts. Thank you for your humanitarian service on behalf of those in need.

A little closer to home, residents in Parowan watch the sky in fear every day after the Brian Head Fire in-creased the flooding risk from Parowan Creek and have deposited tons of fire debris and sediment into the City damaging homes, farms and infrastructure. Watching these disasters ravage communities, rural areas and neighborhoods, reminded me of the events of September 11, 2012. Five years ago, Santa Clara experienced our own natural disaster when the Laub Pond Storm Water Detention Basin was overwhelmed during a massive rainfall event upstream and the dike failed resulting in a flood disaster into our own business district and adjacent residential neighborhood. I still remember the fear I felt every time it rained after the 2012 flood until the detention basin reconstruction was completed the following July.

Many of you may have watched interviews on the national tv news showing angry residents in Houston or Florida who were unable to return to their homes due to downed trees and power lines lashing out at public safety officials trying to keep them safe. Many felt the government was slow to respond to their personal needs for clean water, power and food. It reminded me of the initial days following the flood when several local residents downloaded their frustrations on me. It should remind us all how important it is for residents be prepared for potential natural disasters which can happen at any time, to anyone. No one is exempt from these risks. Local government resources necessary to respond to events of this magnitude are always going to be limited. It’s going to take time, maybe even days, for assistance to be available. We each need to be prepared to help ourselves.

Some of you are prepared for the problems and impacts resulting from natural disaster events. Some have set aside the resources needed and developed home emergency plans to allow them to be self sufficient for at least 72 hours to preserve life and protect property during the initial emergency response period. For many years, we have been warned by local and national leaders to prepare ourselves and our families for such disasters. If you are prepared and have educated your family members about your response, great, encourage your neighbors or extended families to do the same. If you still need to complete this important step to keep your family safe, please start the process today. The next natural disaster could be just around the corner.

Remember to take the time to vote on November on 7th. It’s important for every American Citizen to do their part to preserve the rights established by the Constitution. If you don’t take the time to vote, you in effect, give your right to choose to someone else. Someone you might not agree with or not really want to be making decisions for you. Do your part to keep our community, state and nation strong by voting on Election Day.

Hey, while you are at it, remember to stay safe Santa Clara.

Mayor Rick Rosenberg (rickr@racivil.com)