FEMA Prepares For Hurricane Jeanne, The Fourth Hurricane To Threaten The U.S. Since Mid-August
Remnants of Ivan Reemerge in Gulf and Impact Louisiana and Texas
Release Date: September 24, 2004
Release Number: HQ-04-207
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is pre-positioning and staging disaster supplies in preparation for Hurricane Jeanne, the fourth hurricane to threaten the U.S. since mid-August.
“FEMA and our federal partners continue to work daily with state and local emergency officials in states affected by Hurricanes Charley, Frances, and Ivan, as well as those that are likely to be affected by Hurricane Jeanne,” said Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response. “We are prepared to respond swiftly and effectively with personnel, equipment and supplies to support the states’ response and recovery efforts in every disaster area during this historically active hurricane season.”
Brown urged citizens to heed all warnings and follow instructions of local authorities, especially regarding evacuations. He reiterated the advice of state officials for residents in the hurricane’s potential path to have food and water to survive for a minimum of 72 hours, a battery operated radio, flashlights and batteries.
In preparation for Hurricane Jeanne, FEMA has identified three Operational Staging Areas for pre-positioning commodities and other disaster materials and started supplies moving on Wednesday this week. These staging areas include Lakeland, Fla.; Ft. Gordon, Ga.; and Ft. Bragg, N.C.
FEMA has moved 50 trucks of water and 50 trucks of ice to the Lakeland staging area, with an additional 100 trucks of water, and100 trucks of ice scheduled to arrive today. Also scheduled to arrive today are a total of 1.5 million meals ready-to-eat (MREs) being moved into Lakeland, including 46 trucks of MREs enroute to the area. An additional 46 trucks loaded with MREs are expected to arrive at the Lakeland staging area tomorrow, and 69 truck loads are scheduled to arrive Monday.
Forty trucks of water and 40 trucks of ice are being sent to federal staging areas at Ft. Bragg, N.C., with the same amount going to Ft. Gordon, Georgia. FEMA also has four trailer-size containers with disaster supplies staged in Punta Gorda, Fla., and four at Eglin Air Force Base.
An Emergency Management Assistance Compact Team, EMAC–A, is being sent to the Florida EOC to assist with planning and preparations for Jeanne’s landfall and the ongoing Charley, Frances and Ivan recovery. FEMA has also sent a state liaison to the Texas Emergency Management Agency, where preparations are underway in anticipation of possible heavy rains associated with Tropical Storm Ivan.
Hurricane Charley swept ashore in Florida on August 13, causing damage and devastation across the state. Charley was followed by Hurricane Frances and Hurricane Ivan, both impacting numerous states in the eastern U.S.
On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA’s continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.
Last Modified: Friday, 24-Sep-2004 10:01:13