Use the passage to answer the question
Many fire-prone California towns don't plan for evacuations
Counterintuitive as may sound, Paradise has some of the strongest evacuations planning in California. In fact, a USA TODAY Network-California survey of communities at high risk from wild fire found only 22% (including paradise) have a robust, publicly available evacuation plan.
The scale of disaster in the camp fire was unprecedented, but the scene of people fleeing wildfires was familiar, repeated numerous times over the past three years up and down California from Redding and Paradise to Santa Rosa, Ventura, and Malibu.
In many of those communities, motorists bacame stuck in traffic as officials tried to evacuate thousands onto few roads lead away from the flame.
NO REQUIREMENT TO PLAN
The 85 deaths and nearly 19,000 building destroyed in Paradise's camp fire made it the deadliest and most destructive blaze in California history. Eight of those who perished were found in their vehicles, with two others found outside their vehicles.
In some spots burned-out and abandoned vehicles lined leading out of town.
Should cities be required to have detailed evacuation plans? In 3-5 sentences, answer the question and provide specific textual evidence to support your analysis.
Yes, cities should be required to have detailed evacuation plans. The passage highlights that only 22% of high-risk communities in California have a robust, publicly available evacuation plan, indicating a lack of preparation and readiness for emergencies. The scene of people fleeing wildfires in various communities, such as Redding, Paradise, Santa Rosa, Ventura, and Malibu, shows the recurring nature of these events. Additionally, the fact that motorists became stuck in traffic while trying to evacuate further emphasizes the need for more efficient evacuation plans. The tragic deaths and destruction caused by the Camp Fire in Paradise serve as a stark reminder of the consequences of inadequate planning. The presence of burned-out and abandoned vehicles shows the chaos and confusion that can result from a lack of proper evacuation procedures. Therefore, requiring cities to have detailed evacuation plans is essential for ensuring public safety during emergencies.
Based on the passage, it is evident that many fire-prone California towns do not have detailed evacuation plans. The USA TODAY Network-California survey reveals that only 22% of communities at high risk from wildfires, including Paradise, have a robust and publicly available evacuation plan. This lack of planning often results in chaotic evacuations, as seen in multiple California communities over the past three years. Specifically, motorists in these areas get stuck in traffic while officials struggle to evacuate residents onto limited roads away from the fire. Given the unprecedented scale of disasters like the camp fire in Paradise, it is arguable that cities should be required to have detailed evacuation plans in order to prevent further loss of life and property.
Based on the passage, the question is whether cities should be required to have detailed evacuation plans. According to the USA TODAY Network-California survey mentioned in the passage, only 22% of high-risk communities in California, including Paradise, have robust and publicly available evacuation plans. The devastating camp fire in Paradise resulted in 85 deaths, with eight people found dead in their vehicles. This suggests that without a detailed evacuation plan, people can become stuck in traffic and unable to escape the flames.
In order to answer the question, it would be beneficial to analyze the specific textual evidence provided. The passage states that "only 22% (including paradise) have a robust, publicly available evacuation plan." This implies that a significant number of communities in California, including high-risk ones, do not have detailed evacuation plans in place. Furthermore, it mentions that during previous wildfires, motorists became stuck in traffic as they tried to evacuate, highlighting the importance of having an effective evacuation plan. The fact that several individuals died in their vehicles during the Paradise fire emphasizes the consequences of not having a detailed plan.
Based on this evidence, it can be argued that cities should be required to have detailed evacuation plans. Such plans can enhance public safety by ensuring efficient and orderly evacuations during emergencies.