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Special Report: Why You're NOT Ready for Disaster

(KNX 1070) — Ready or Not? Sounds like a children's game. But it's not. In fact, whether you are ready or not when a major disaster hits, can make the difference between life and death.

Southern California is prone to so many natural disasters, it would make a Hollywood screenwriter strain to come up with something new: Earthquakes? Check. Mudslides and Fires? Check and Check. Volcanoes? Check again. There are three active ones near L.A. that could erupt at any time, says Dr. Margaret Mangan, the scientist in charge of the U.S. Geological Survey's California Volcano Observatory.

Why You're NOT Ready for Disaster

And, if the threat of natural disaster weren't enough, federal and local law enforcement officials are quick to point out that L.A. is considered a "prime terrorist target," making the prospect of bioterrorism something that can leave even the most seasoned FBI agent tossing and turning at night.

For our special series, "Ready or Not: Why You're Not Ready for Disaster," a team of experienced KNX reporters and producers conducted more than 40 interviews to bring you the most up-to-date information on everything from how to determine whether that house you want to buy is in an active earthquake zone, to whether you really want to give up that landline telephone, which tends to be more reliable during a full-scale emergency.

In addition to some 20 individual stories, you will also find several long-form interviews on key emergency preparedness topics, along with many useful links.

Besides highlighting things you can do to better prepare for a disaster, we also take a close look at why officials often fail to think outside the box when it comes to preparing for various emergencies, and why 13 years after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, seamless communication among different first responders in Southern California remains largely a pipe dream.

Politicians also come under our microscope. We talked to two researchers who say politicians would rather spend money after a disaster than before, because voters tend to favor (and vote for) politicos who come up with money after disaster strikes rather than those who want to spend money to better prepare for the next major event.

Ready or Not. Are you?

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"Ready or Not: Why You're Not Ready for Disaster," is produced by Charles Feldman and Laraine Herman. Reporting by: Margaret Carrero, Charles Feldman, Megan Goldsby, Ed Mertz, Claudia Peschiutta, Tom Reopelle, and Chris Sedens.

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