One of the most serious may be the danger posed to the state's nursing homes in the event of a major storm. Those who have examined the evacuation plan for nursing homes in the lowcountry worry that residents could be vulnerable and that preparations for transporting them out of the strike zone are inadequate.

For example, many of the homes rely on cell phones and computers to communicate. But those systems are likely to be knocked out by a hurricane.

More frightening is the likelihood that private transportation providers will be unable to reach and evacuate all residents. That was one of the failures of rescue efforts in New Orleans, where more than 30 people died in a single nursing home during Hurricane Katrina.

Several South Carolina's coastal counties have arranged with private firms to provide buses and vans to transport evacuees. But in many cases, these firms would not be capable of reaching and evacuating all nursing home residents. Some of the firms have contracted with several nursing homes, and contracts even specify that homes will be evacuated on a first come, first served basis, "depending on the availability of buses and drivers at the time."

Counties in most cases don't have the manpower or the equipment to provide transportation for nursing homes. And, ultimately, it is the responsibility of nursing homes to guarantee adequate transportation.

There is nothing wrong with making arrangements with private companies to provide transportation. But nursing home officials need to ensure that the contract provides for such transportation -- no matter what.

Among the most tragic stories to emerge from the Katrina fiasco were those of elderly hospital and nursing home patients left behind to fend for themselves. Some perished because no handicapped-accessible vehicles were available to transport them.

South Carolina residents have seen the terrible results of failing to establish a workable evacuation plan, and we have an opportunity to ensure those tragic mistakes are not repeated here. State officials need to enforce the rules requiring nursing homes to be prepared for the next hurricane.

IN SUMMARY
Plans for evacuating lowcountry nursing homes may not be sufficient to save everyone.