A reality based independent journal of observation & analysis, serving the Flathead Valley & Montana since 2006. © James Conner.
When a major natural disaster — a flood, hurricane, earthquake, volcanic eruption — hits, its victims often are on their own for the next 48 to 72 hours. That’s how long it takes for the world outside the disaster zone to learn what happened, what’s needed, and to organize and dispatch the relief mission.
After three days, some outside aid is reaching Nepal, where a 7.8 earthquake killed thousands and heavily damaged that nation’s fragile infrastructure. Below, there’s a map of Montana and surrounds on which I’ve superimposed the boundary of Nepal. Flathead Lake marks the quake’s epicenter. The mostly mountainous nation encompasses approximately 56,000 square miles, has 27 million people, and an average annual per capita income of $740. If you can spare a dime, the Nepalese can use it.
