Mexico’s Tragedy Offers a Lesson for California

In retrospect, it’s clear that the scenario for disaster and human tragedy on the steep hillsides above Acapulco began to develop months ago. That’s when the weather phenomenon known as El Nin~o brought severe drought to the heights, which were already largely unprotected because poor workers had cut down trees over the years to build shacks for their families.

Hurricane Pauline, Mexico’s most powerful storm in 38 years, was the final component. It dumped 20 inches of rain in 24 hours last week and sent rivers of mud, rock and debris down the hillsides. More than 200 people were killed. Hundreds are still missing, and thousands are homeless. Food and clean water are in short supply.

The hurricane’s landfall in the Acapulco area had been expected, but Mexican authorities issued no evacuation orders before it hit and no shelters had been erected to house those who might have been moved out of harm’s way. Acapulco was simply not prepared. That was a hard lesson and cannot be ignored, especially since more storms could occur this year.

North of the border, preparedness and “keeping everybody’s feet to the fire” were the focus of Tuesday’s El Nin~o summit in Santa Monica, according to Sen. Barbara Boxer. Vice President Al Gore and federal officials unveiled a national campaign to help cities and states prepare for natural disasters in general during El Nin~o and to minimize damage.

So, why hasn’t California heeded the call? Gov. Pete Wilson’s administration, for example, is $140 million and up to seven years in arrears in paying its fair share for major flood control projects around the state. Cash-strapped local governments have had to use their own funds to keep the projects going.

The Acapulco disaster occurred just one week after the state’s own El Nin~o summit, which centered in part on the flood threats posed by weakened California river levees. The flood control projects are a deal that the state cannot afford to renege on. Federal dollars pay for 65% of the construction, with the state kicking in just 25%. Local funding provides the remainder.

Washington’s new strategy emphasizes preparing for disasters rather than just responding after they have struck. Is Gov. Wilson listening? Don’t be surprised if Congress and the rest of the federal government remember California’s desultory performance on shared funding the next time we need megabucks for disaster relief.