From California to Florida, every state is vulnerable to some sort of natural disaster, whether itís an earthquake, a wildfire, a tornado or a flood. In todayís world, the disasters seem to be hitting us more often with increasing†strength and heightened devastation.†From the Natural Centers for Environmental Information, in 2021, there were 20 weather/climate disaster events in the U.S., with losses exceeding $1 billion each. The events included one drought, two major flooding†events,11 severe storm events, four tropical cyclone events, one wildfire event and one winter storm event ó keep in mind they are classifying these as disasters. These events resulted in the deaths of 688 people and had†significant economic effects on the impacted areas. The one wildfire event included was the Dec. 30 Marshall fire in Boulder County.†The Marshall fire was alarming because the residents had little time to flee, and if they werenít home at the time, they couldnít go back. I remember hearing the distressing words of a woman who couldnít go back to get†her dog. And the people who died in that fire were probably caught totally off guard.†I was talking to our book review columnist, Robin Widmar, who is also a former firefighter (but once you are a firefighter, you are always a firefighter). I asked her how people can prepare for a fire that takes off in a matter of†minutes. She wrote an article for us this month on signing up for emergency alerts.I grew up in Nebraska, and I remember the thunderstorms and tornado warnings. We were always keeping one eye on the sky, and the other on the fields.†One lightning strike could start a fire on the plains that would call in volunteer firefighters from miles around.†On another note, I would like to thank Pete Gawda for writing for us the past two years plus. Pete is from a newspaper background, and it was fun working with him. Pete and his wife, Cheryl, moved to Tennessee at the end of†January. He will try to get his old job back at a newspaper in Knoxville. Good luck to Pete.†So, we are looking for a freelance part-time writer. We have other changes coming in the next few months, too. Dr. Jim Humphries will be back with his veterinary column. We will be focusing more on water and development†issues as well.†We will be sending out an online survey, asking for your input on what articles and columns you enjoy and what else you would like to see in the newspaper. We will be more active on Facebook this year ó we have a person designated to keep up with posting things about Falcon and also reading your comments.†On a personal note, I have a new grandson. Henry was born Dec. 8 and is Jill and Markís son. He joins two big sisters and is the first male in a long line of females. My oldest daughter, Megan, and her husband, Jesse, have two girls and just welcomed another girl, born Jan 29, 6 pounds 3 oz. named Palmer Bradford Baldwin. I grew up with a sister only, and John and I have three girls, so itís somewhat of a phenomenon in our family to welcome the first boy!†Happy Valentineís Day!See you in March!– Michelle
