Private industry responding to hurricanes

The AP reports:

If government can't do it, business will.

Once the domain of government and charitable relief groups, hurricane response and preparedness are a booming billion-dollar business - from the self-heating food packets to the souped-up cell phone towers on wheels. Call it Hurricanes Inc.

"Private industry is the only way to go," said Joe Spraggins, emergency management chief for a Mississippi county hit hard by Katrina.

The trend has been growing for a few years. But with 2004 when multiple storms struck Florida, and last year with Katrina, then Rita, it has only accelerated.

Spraggins, of Harrison County, Miss., won't count so much on government for emergency supplies and other help this summer.

Instead, he'll count on the lure of the almighty buck by hiring private companies to be ready with food, water, gas and sanitary sewer supplies.

Those with real incentives are best at getting the job done.