Video by Rebecca Taranto/ CNS-TV
WASHINGTON –Area leaders are working to develop a better system of communication following the recent 5.8 earthquake, hurricane and tropical storm that left thousands of residents without power and a source of information.
The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments met Wednesday to discuss ways to improve emergency preparedness for the region.
Officials agreed the media did a good job of preparing the public for Hurricane Irene, but they said there was too little warning for the flooding that came as a result of Hurricane Lee.
“The issue is a structural problem behind the scenes that other cities have solved that we as a region have not yet,” said David Snyder, Vice Mayor of Falls Church.
The region does have an electronic alert system but officials say it can do little to help those who have neither Internet access nor electricity.
A siren system would not be appropriate during an earthquake because it is unsafe for people to go outside in such conditions, said Merni Fitzgerald, Fairfax County director of public affairs.
“Individual buildings have public address systems,” said Fitzgerald, “they have different ways in individual venues to get the word out.”
The council will reconvene next month to discuss emergency preparedness in greater detail with recommendations expected to come shortly after.