To Evacuate or Not To Evacuate, That Is The Dilemma!

Science fiction? Alarmism? Hyperbole? Thankfully, yes, but not by much. During the October 2007 Witch Creek Fire, a slight change in wind direction could have resulted in a catastrophic calamity for Ramona. We can all recall waiting for hours to evacuate Ramona at the behest of the authorities during the Witch Creek Fire. Tens of thousands of people choked the four arteries leading from Ramona resulting in hours long gridlock as the fire skirted the  town. A minor change in wind direction could have ravaged Ramona and perhaps killed many people stuck in their cars while waiting to evacuate.
 
With this memory seared in our collective consciousness, the critical question is, "How will Ramona react to future calamities such as fires or earthquakes?" Will we flee or will we stay put and defend our homes and our community? Will roads be blocked by massive rockslides and buckled roads?                                                                                                                                    

This is critical information for authorities to possess as they prepare a disaster preparedness plan tailored to Ramona’s peculiar geography, isolation and industrious independence.            

Rumor is that, based upon non-scientific data and general conversation, most residents have no intention of evacuating during the next catastrophe. And  if we are to remain, how should the authorities plan? Should there be "shelter-in-place" education and local evacuation centers for people and animals? Potential sites for local evacuation centers include the Wellfield Park, the San Vicente Golf Course, Mt. Woodson Golf Course, the schools and even local shopping centers. After all, the plan should reflect the reality.

The San Diego Sheriff’s Department and the County of San Diego will conduct a so-called "evacuation seminar" on Monday, May 16 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Ramona Library. This is the time for Ramona’s voice to be heard so that future planning for emergencies will take into consideration the reality of the resident response.
 
The Committee For A Better Ramona, a local non-profit organization, is conducting an impartial poll to get an idea of the consensus of Ramona’s collective response to the next emergency so that this information can be presented to the Sheriff and the County at the forum. The CFBR website is BetterRamona.net. It is hoped that as many residents as possible will register their "vote" on the Disaster Preparedness Poll so that an appropriate disaster preparedness plan can be prepared for our town.

Additionally, you can send e-mail comments or questions to Ramonaevacuationforum@sdsheriff.org.

Speak loudly, folks so that we never have to deal with that headline scenario that started this piece!