What to do?

Sorry, can’t do anything, flood victims told
By Wellesly B Ongie ,Borneo Post, 14 March 2008

MARUDI: The folk of Rumah Nanga Lait and other Iban and Berawan longhouses along Sungai Tinjar hit by flood since Wednesday morning were allegedly told that nothing could be done to help them.
A Baram disaster relief committee member, SAO *******, at Baram District Office told the headman of Rumah Nanga Lait, R**** ****, that one of the reasons was the district welfare officer was recently transferred to Lubok Antu.
To make matters worse, the Baram disaster relief chairman is on holiday, he said.
R****, who reported the flood to the relief committee on Wednesday evening, said most of the longhouses along Sungai Tinjar were badly hit by the flood with the water just about reaching the floors.
The floor of his own longhouse is six feet above the ground and when he left for this town the water was five feet high and rising.
Also hit were Long Teru Health Clinic, Rumah Long Teru, Nanga Ajoi, Nanga Majang, and Lubok Mulong.

What to do if things like this happens?
I was faced with this situation during the floods way back in 2004.
A lady called the Operations Room and asked for help as the water was raising... it was around 2.00am, I called up the Police and 911 to go and investigate.. the lady called back in half an hour and said she is still waiting, her words were "...have pity on me, i have a baby with me...and my old parents" I managed to calmed her down but until now i never knew what happened after that... i knew that there were no reports of casualty...( i was expecteing the worse..) that is why we have to have a clear mind and conscious mental preparation during flood duties...)