"Interesting that the Australian government's "Pantry List" recommends 14-day supply. The U.S. ready.gov emphasizes 72 hours, though it notes that services could be off longer."

Our government doesn't want to scare off the people who won't even prepare a 3-day supply. A 2-week supply seems to be beyond many Americans' comprehension.

When I was working at the casino, our area was currently having flood problems. I asked my coworkers if they had made any preps for flooding, being marooned, evacuating, etc. All of them shook their heads, and two said they would just sit back and wait for the government to bring supplies.

Sue

After the disaster itself comes the cleaning up part.

Even though the level of preparedness was pretty poor, the Brisbane community is certainly getting in there and helping out afterwards.

People are turning up with tools such as shovels, cleaning equipment, protective clothing, their own food and water for the day ready to help out.

So many people have turned up to volunteer for cleanup efforts that they have been turned away. The city government are opening extra centers tomorrow for more volunteers (and providing public transport from the marshalling areas into the flood effected areas).

Brisbane's Big cleanup begins
"This morning in Brisbane volunteers are mustering for the earliest stages of what the Queensland Premier has termed a rebuilding effort of post-war proportions. And it comes as the Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd becomes a case study for why people are advised to stay out of floodwaters - he's developed a leg infection."

Army of Volunteers
"A Brisbane City Council spokesperson said the centres had been "inundated" with volunteers. Volunteers were marshalled at four centres at Doomben Racecourse, Brisbane Entertainment Centre in Boondall, Mount Coot-tha Botanic Gardens and the MacGregor High School assembly hall."

Volunteers turn out for recovery in Brisbane
"Volunteers lined up this morning to help clear the mess in disaster-stricken Brisbane after the floods this week caused billions of dollars of damage. Swathes of Brisbane were caked in a thick layer of stinking mud left behind after the Brisbane River burst its banks on Wednesday, flooding houses up to their roofs, destroying infrastructure and sending debris and boats hurtling downstream."

Keep in mind that all of these volunteer centres are for people who just want to help someone, anyone. It doesn't include the many many more people who are helping friends, relatives, neighbors.

If there was just a way to make people put at much thought and effort into preparedness as they do into helping after the fact.