Hanna Brings Wind & Rain – Ike a Growing Threat
Release Date: September 6, 2008
Release Number: HQ-08-188
WASHINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is in close communication with its partners in federal, state, tribal and local governments as Tropical Storm Hanna brings heavy rain and high winds to most of the Atlantic Coast. State and local officials are coordinating the initial response. Federal resources already available in the region will supplement these efforts as necessary. Federal agencies maintain multiple teams of key personnel as well as stockpiles of needed supplies and commodities across the country so that a response in one area does not impact on the needs of another.
Hurricane Ike remains a strong storm system and poses additional challenges. Though its track remains uncertain, parts of southern Florida are at the greatest immediate risk while states along the Gulf Coast are on alert as Hurricane Ike is likely to enter the Gulf of Mexico before making landfall again. At this time, it is unclear what course it will take as it reaches the Gulf later in the week, so everyone in the region should follow future weather reports closely.
As we face the heart of the annual Hurricane Season, everyone has a role to play. Remember: Get Serious. Be Prepared.
Individual and community preparedness is the responsibility of everyone. Residents should closely follow news and weather reports and be aware of evacuation and sheltering orders in their communities. Individuals, families and businesses should prepare emergency supply kits and develop family emergency plans. Emergency preparedness information is available online at www.ready.gov.
Snapshot of Federal Activities:
U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
- FEMA has identified and designated specific staff and assets to insure their availability for any preparations or response activities.
- FEMA maintains strategic supplies of commodities and emergency supplies in strategic locations around the country. Contracts are in place to replenish supplies without the need to shift resources from other disaster operations.
U.S. Coast Guard (USCG)
- USCG is urging the maritime community and boating–public to track the Tropical Storm Hannah and Hurricane Ike's progress and take early action to protect themselves and their vessels. Extremely high seas, heavy rains and damaging winds that accompany tropical storms and hurricanes present serious dangers to mariners.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
- CBP Law Enforcement Personnel have deployed to Columbia, SC, Richmond, VA and Jacksonville, FL to provide support for response and recovery operations.
- Air and Marine has flown assessment sorties along the Atlantic coast.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
- ICEs Miami Office of Detention and Removal Operations has temporarily relocated all 927 detainees from facilities in South Florida to other ICE detention facilities throughout the country as a precautionary measure due to the projected path of Hurricane Ike.
National Protection and Programs Directorate (NPPD) Infrastructure Protection (IP)
- IP has deployed 13 Protective Security Advisors to southeastern states to assess potential critical infrastructure impacts and coordinate any necessary response efforts.
The National Communications System (NCS)
- NCS is actively reaching out to the states on Hanna's path to confirm access procedures for restoration teams, and is adjusting critical communications infrastructure analysis for the coasts of South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia.
- NCS deployed personnel to the Atlanta and Philadelphia Regional Response Coordinating Centers.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
- The National Hurricane Center is monitoring Tropical Storm Hanna and Hurricane Ike, issuing watches and warnings as needed.
- NOAA aircraft are flying missions into Hurricane Ike providing data on the storm for research and operational forecasts.
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
- SBA has disaster reservists ready to staff the customer service center and the processing and disbursement centers.
- The SBA's Disaster Customer Service Center is taking phone calls weekends from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EDT, and 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. EDT Monday through Friday. The phone number is 1–800–659–2955 and 1–800–877–8339 for the hearing impaired. Customer service representatives can also be contacted by e–mail at disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.
U.S. Department of Defense (DOD)
U.S. National Guard Bureau (NGB))
- The Florida National Guard is monitoring and preparing for Hurricane Ike and anticipates full activation of the state National Guard joint operations center to provide an immediate response
- The National Guard is coordinating with federal, state and local governments to ensure we are just as prepared for Hurricane Ike as we were for Gustav.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)
- The Corps has over 40 specially trained response teams trained and equipped with field guides, mobile response equipment, and pre–positioned contracts.
- USACE can support debris removal, commodities procurement and delivery, temporary emergency power, temporary housing, temporary roofing, infrastructure assessment, and support to urban search and rescue missions.
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
- Public Service Announcements (PSAs) are running in Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia about preventing food–borne illness due to power outages.
- Alerts, videocasts and PSAs are available at USDA' s web page: www.usda.gov/hurricane.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
- HHS emergency managers are monitoring the progress of Tropical Storm Hanna.
- HHS is leaning forward in preparing for Hurricane Ike by propositioning response assets.
- HHS has deployed Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT) Caches and personnel to Florida, Alabama and Georgia.
- Federal Medical Stations (FMS) have been forward deployed to meet the medical needs of the potentially impacted communities.
- HHS has deployed liaisons to Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands, Florida and Georgia.
U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI)
- DOI's US Geological Survey scientists are installing storm–surge sensors to prepare for Hurricane Ike. These temporary devices are installed just hours before an impending storm and provide additional monitoring data in critical areas needed for effective forecasting and emergency response.
The American Red Cross (ARC)
- ARC is positioned to help residents in the path of Tropical Storm Hanna. Human and material resources are available to provide food, shelter and emotional support to those who may need assistance.
- ARC continues to mobilize material and human resources in preparation for Ike, and is prepared to handle multiple relief efforts for those in need.
FEMA coordinates the federal government' s role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man–made, including acts of terror. For more information on FEMA activities visit www.FEMA.gov and for more information on personal preparedness see www.Ready.gov.
Last Modified: Sunday, 07-Sep-2008 11:35:06