Unfortunately the official warnings came too late and there was much confusion. The night of October 18,Rumors were spread about “broken dikes” Residents were told to evacuate within 24 hours to safe areas because the water had come through the broken dikes and would reach area that night.
Some merchants took this opportunity to double the prices of items such as sandbags, boots, drinking water, fresh food, etc.
If this flood had occurred in Singapore, I feel sure a quite different response would have been prepared and executed.
Do you have any thoughts on how a government should communicate in this situation and how they might go about restoring trust (if they can)?