-Caveat Lector-
December 28, 1999
2000 warning in D.C. more dire than most
By Ronald J. Hansen
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
The D.C. Emergency Management Agency's "Y2K Preparedness Guide" tells readers
to "store a supply of seven to ten days worth of nonperishable foods per
person." Meanwhile, most other jurisdictions have advised being prepared for
only a few days.
District of Columbia officials are urging residents to prepare for more than
a week without private and public services as the new year approaches, though
most other jurisdictions have advised being prepared for only a few days.
The D.C. Emergency Management Agency's "Y2K Preparedness Guide" tells
readers to "store a supply of seven to ten days worth of nonperishable foods
per person."
It also warns residents to "set aside enough cash to meet living
expenses for at least a one-month period" and "consider renting or purchasing
a generator."
Peter G. LaPorte, the agency's acting director, said the guide is not
intended to scare residents nor contradict the rosy picture Mayor Anthony A.
Williams painted nine days ago.
"If you say you need to be prepared for three days, people blink at
that. So you say be ready a little longer," Mr. LaPorte said. "The idea is to
take those proper precautions."
Mr. Williams was unavailable for comment yesterday.
Local officials and businesses have said for several weeks that their
computers are ready for the year 2000.
Nancy Moses, a spokeswoman for Pepco, which provides electricity for the
city and most of nearby suburban Maryland, yesterday said the utility is
ready and not asking customers to gird for anything unusual.
"We've spent $12 million over the past five years to be sure that the
system is ready and will work," she said. "Our recommendation is for people
to plan as if it's a three-day holiday weekend."
The city's guide advises residents to buy batteries for flashlights
(rather than use candles), keep financial records in a secure place, contact
neighbors and have a neighborhood emergency plan.
The city has run several preparation drills, including one yesterday for
people working New Year's Eve.
"We don't expect to have to put the plans into action, but the plans are
in place and they're tested in case we need them," Mr. Williams said Dec. 19.
"I want to assure all our residents that if you call 911 or there's a problem
at the power company or there's a snowstorm, you will get the service you
need. We will keep the city running."
The city has spent more than $140 million preparing for the millennium
and overhauling its computers to ensure they function properly Jan. 1. Many
older systems were considered apt to malfunction because dated information
used only the last two digits of the year and could not distinguish "00" as
2000 rather than 1900.
Of the city's 378 computer systems, all the "critical systems" are
year-2000 compliant and 96 percent of all systems are ready, Mr. Williams
said.
About 95 percent of the city's 15,000 personal computers also are ready;
the rest are scheduled to be replaced in the final days before the new year.
Some local banks have placed signs in the windows of their branch
offices and messages on ATM machines telling customers the banks are ready
for the new year.
Mr. LaPorte said residents have welcomed the call for preparation, which
is applicable to more than year-2000 problems.
"We know people have done some of the things," he said. "A lot of the
people have said, 'I really don't have my essential documents in a secure
place.' It's just good common sense."
Early weather forecasts for Friday indicate cool temperatures but no
snow, Mr. LaPorte noted. He could not estimate how many people will attend
festivities at the Mall and the city's two-day "Main Street Millennium" on
Constitution Avenue.
"This is a difficult one to peg," he said of the expected turnout,
comparing it to the annual "Taste of D.C." and Fourth of July celebrations.
City officials will monitor New Year's fallout in other cities around
the world, Mr. LaPorte said. Additionally, representatives from Bell
Atlantic, Pepco and other utilities and businesses will be in touch with city
leaders throughout the first night of the new year.
"More than half the company will be working," Pepco's Ms. Moses said.
"We would normally have a skeleton staff."
D.C. officials also will keep in close contact with Maryland, Virginia
and federal authorities, Mr. LaPorte said.
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