Disasters strike unexpectedly all too often. Whether a flood, earthquake, train derailment or different, disaster is bound to intersect our lives at some point. This past week it was a hurricane named Helene that led to devastating flooding and mudslides in Southern Appalachia areas of Western North Carolina, Georgia, South Carolina, Eastern Tennessee and probably somewhere I forgot. It’s left in its wake a trail of devastation that requires immediate but thoughtful response. While many people feel a strong desire to help those affected, it’s crucial to do so in a safe and responsible manner.
Just one example of this: this past Saturday the airspace above Asheville got really crowded leading to about “30 mid-air close calls”. I’m betting ==all== of these pilots meant well but the sudden descent of so many trying to aid in the search and rescue efforts could have actually derailed it (if a collision had happened).
Coordination (or why lone wolves flinch and back away)
I think when disasters strike some of us freeze; it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and not know what to do. Some of us also flight; it’s also normal to sometimes filter out what’s going on and ignore it. Still others fight; it’s also easy to want to just jump in and do whatever you can as fast as you can no matter what. These are normal reactions and we shouldn’t try and shame people for the way they react. It is good to understand it though.
The ==fight== people are going to probably be really important at the outset, when no one really knows whats going on. It’s the reaction of the people that will survey the landscape, report on the reality and get a response going however they, regardless of how equipped they may or may not be. Personal opinion here but I think in the initial chaos of disaster - these are the people you want showing. They have to understand there’s a curve though. Chaos has got to give way to order. Lone wolves can’t lone wolf it forever, especially at the expense of the wider efforts and people around them. It tends to be a steep drop too - the sooner that order makes sense of the chaos the sooner wider efforts can really get going.
Chaos giving way to order, to some degree at least, means recognizing the importance of coordination, strategy and logistics. I’ve seen in various smaller scale disaster scenarios how uncoordinated efforts can hinder aid rather than help. I worked in missions and development for 13 years overseas and witnessed firsthand the consequences of haphazard work that lacked any sense of coordination or strategy; I’m thinking of one community in particularly burnt out on development efforts because of the ways lots of different organization and individuals used it and its hardships as an experiment ground. Even initiatives that are well-intentioned can create more problems than they solve, lead to unexpected delays for service and just breed confusion in general. A coordinated response ensures that resources are effectively utilized and that the needs of affected communities are met in a timely way.
One example of this is coordinated efforts to make sure hospitals are prioritized and restored as soon as possible so that they can start serving the many health needs of a community. Or take Asheville right now. I live within a two-hour drive of it and I’ve been impressed with how various local connections have made significant strides in helping those impacted by recent disasters. Anyone that wants to help in some sort of tangible way is able to. In the first couple of days they could kind of get away with showing up and doing something but that isn’t possible now. Instead all they have to do is find a sponsor organization that’s registered that will oversee the work they do. You might hear otherwise but the reality is, ==people aren’t being turned away== but there is an expectation of accountability and coordination.
Those of us who wish to help have got to accept the importance of following official guidance at this stage. If a community member is acting independently, that’s commendable, but if there’s a chance to work alongside established organizations, it will amplify their impact. The ultimate goal should be to support survivors and provide the assistance they truly need. We don’t need any air collisions or a furtherance of problems on the ground.
Media, Misinformation and f-ing “Influencers”
Disaster in the modern age isn’t what it used to be. There’s no more sitting on the edge of your seat to wait for the news anchor to share the latest. Now we have Facebook and Twitter and all of the f..aspiring influencers to keep us up-to-date!
Now disasters are accompanied by a surge of discussions and narratives, some of which can be troubling or misleading. In today’s digital age, propaganda bots are exacerbating the confusion, feeding on sensationalism and miscommunication, causing well-meaning individuals to unknowingly spread misinformation. We know Russian bots are doing this to sow discord and prop up people sympathetic to them. It’s not even up for debate. Spend time on social media and you’ll see the ridiculous things they come up with:
- The government is controlling the weather (I’m imagining Biden with a Gandalf staff but all that happens is fireworks).
- The government wants to seize all of Asheville because of the giant lithium mine underneath it.
- Or the more nefarious: FEMA is out of money and all you get is $750 (never mind that the $750 is just an initial grant to take care of immediate needs) Big or small these propaganda sound bites ==hurt== all of the relief efforts.
Add on to that the reality that there has been a pervasive narrative that sows distrust in mainstream media outlets (driven by MAGA mostly), which leads to a cycle of disbelief among consumers. This skepticism can skew perceptions of what the media is covering and can ultimately undermine efforts to communicate vital information about disaster response. Thus, people keep asking themselves: is it a failure in coverage or a symptom of the propaganda machine working against genuine information dissemination?
While I’ve witnessed substantial media coverage surrounding hurricane Helene, the conditioning we experience to distrust the media can shape how we interpret this information. Journalists are grappling with the challenge of covering these unexpected tragedies amidst chaos, and it’s important to remember that their intentions are typically to inform and assist rather than mislead.
But, because so many think the mainstream media are their to mislead, they turn to the, uh, influencers. In today’s interconnected world, some individuals who call themselves “influencers” attempt to capitalize on disasters by positioning themselves as saviors. While the intention may be to help, their actions often lead to further problems. Anytime the focus shifts to self-promotion rather than addressing the needs of survivors, it undermines genuine efforts to provide aid.
I’ll be honest - it’s disheartening to see social media posts featuring influencers more concerned with showcasing themselves rather than the substantial aid efforts taking place behind the scenes. They’ve got to get the views to get the dollars though. In the midst of this self-promotion, they may overlook the significant contributions being made, regurgitate the propaganda designed to divide because who’s not going to watch a video about the feds controlling the weather, or the feds arresting someone ignoring airspace regulations, or whatever other sensational thing they can come up with? Besides me of course but I think that’s a given at this point.
A Collective Responsibility?
As we navigate the complexities of disaster response as people, as communities, as a nation, it’s clear that we’ve got to be willing to look beyond our own reflections and desires. We’ve got to be willing to prioritize coordination, responsibility, and the genuine needs of survivors. The journey toward recovery is fraught with challenges, but when we work together and focus on what truly matters, we can create a more effective and compassionate aid network, I hope. By staying informed, supportive, and grounded in reality, we can all contribute positively to these disaster recovery efforts without complicating the situation further. That’s my hope now at least as we navigate the tragedy that is Hurricane Helene. And it’s my hope for all of the tragedies to come.