Events of natural disaster can bring out the very best in people

Elite panic is the fear engendered in the governing classes that a natural disaster will provoke the non-governing classes to get above themselves, will release them to loot, murder and pillage, and generally, in the absence of normal restraints, reduce society to chaos

THE force of the water was terrifying, as was the realisation that sandbags were not going to keep it out of homes and businesses. Being plunged into darkness and cold, albeit for good safety reasons, was not fun. The final insult was when families found themselves reliving the Rime of the Ancient Mariner, with “Water, water, everywhere, nor any drop to drink”.

As the engineers work on the damaged plant and insurance companies brace themselves for clams from impoverished homeowners, the unmeasured and immeasurable contribution of volunteers cannot be forgotten. Over the past week, they rescued, salvaged, comforted and revived. News bulletins recorded the fact that “the Defence Forces, the Civil Defence and volunteers worked through the night” in several sodden areas. Of the three, the volunteers were there first, ferrying stranded people in boats to high ground, They have provided shelter and clothing. They have made sandwiches and pots of tea.