I love living on an island in the California Delta, but I understand that my paradise is not without danger. Flooding in a below sea-level area can be devastating (remember New Orleans). I’ve been serving on the island’s Emergency Preparedness Committee since mid-2005. Every year the island holds a safety fair to inform residents about what to do in case of a flood. To see a flood scenario, click here.
In case of a flood, no one will be allowed to cross our one bridge – it will be reserved for emergency personnel. Our plan calls for “Rally Points” around the edge of the island. Residents are supposed to go to their rally points if a flood emergency is declared. But, many people have no idea where their rally point is.
This year we decided to do an exercise to teach the populace where the rally points are. To make it fun we held a Poker Rally. No money was involved. We handed out packets at the post office and Chamber of Commerce. The packets contained a numbered ticket, instructions, and a map showing the points. The game was to go to at least five rally points with your ticket to see if you won a prize. While there, your map got stamped. Sunday, at the Safety Fair participants brought their stamped maps and tickets and poker hands were drawn. The prize winners were announced at 3 p.m.
My quilting tools came in handy when I needed to cut the instructions and maps into half-sheets for the packets. (I think a donation of a rotary blade was worth it for this important cause.)
