Cyclone Irene and Vermont's No. Plate Relief measure

Cyclone Irene and Vermont's No. Plate Relief measure

Some times Simple Solutions can be Effective ones also.

There are reports that people in Cuddalore have not been provided relief in the manner they ought to have received.  There are reports comparing with the swift reaction of people during the Tsunami in Dec 2004 – in some ways they are not comparable.  Tsunami  caused huge loss of life ; Cyclone Thane seemingly caused more of loss of property !

Vermont  is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It lies closer to New York; Lake Champlain forms half of Vermont's western border, which it shares with the state of New York. The Green Mountains are within the state.

Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Thane, a name given by Burma emanated in the North Indian Ocean and ravaged Tamil nadu and nearby states.  Thane initially developed as a tropical disturbance within the monsoon trough to the west of Indonesia. Over the next couple of days the disturbance gradually developed further while moving towards the northwest, and was declared a Depression during December 25, before being declared Cyclonic Storm Thane during the next day.  Thane became a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm during December 28, before as it approached the Indian states of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, it weakened slightly. Thane then made landfall early on December 30, on the north Tamil Nadu coast between Cuddalore and Pondicherry and rapidly weakened into a depression.  Cuddalore, Pondicherry and nearby places were severely affected, trees were uprooted, electric poles fell down, roads were damaged as also were many properties.  Insurers were reported of many claims for property damage.

Hurricane Irene,  was a  powerful Atlantic hurricane that left extensive flood and wind damage along its path through the Caribbean, the United States East Coast and as far north as Atlantic Canada in 2011. Irene passed the Leeward Islands, and by August 21, moved closer to Saint Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. The next day, Irene made landfall at Category 1 hurricane strength in Puerto Rico, where severe flooding resulted in significant property damage and the death of one person. It left behind a trail of extensive structural damage in its wake. Considerable damage occurred in eastern upstate New York and Vermont, which suffered from the worst flooding in centuries.  Throughout its path, Irene caused widespread destruction and at least 56 deaths; monetary losses in the Caribbean were estimated to be as high as US$3.1 billion. 

Peter Elliott Shumlin is the 81st and current Governor of Vermont.  It is very clear that compensation can come from the Government or from big Companies or from people themselves, contributing in some measure.    The Vermont House reportedly passed a bill by the Senate allowing  motorists to cover their front license plates with a special plate with the words “Vermont Strong” to commemorate Tropical Storm Irene.  Its Governor  requested the Legislature pass a provision for the plates to be sold for $25, with most of the proceeds going to Irene disaster relief.

The Senate passed the measure  and reportedly it would move through the House in the near future.  The commemorative plates are to be placed over the existing front license plate, and the legislation says the rear plate must remain clearly visible.  It simply is a measure of generating funds for the cyclone affected and more the number of vehicles having this plate, more is going to be the revenue for the State towards relief

With regards – S. Sampathkumar.

Nov 1, 2012