Federal Government Prepares In Advance Of Edouard
Release Date: August 4, 2008
Release Number: HQ-08-153
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is coordinating the preparations of the federal government as Tropical Storm Edouard approaches the coast of Texas and Louisiana.
FEMA and its federal partners are working closely with state and local governments as well as with the private sector to prepare for any major effects the storm might have across the region. FEMA also reminds all individuals in the region to make appropriate preparations and to pay attention to any and all local warnings or instructions.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
- FEMA has resources pre-staged and response teams deployed to the region:
- Activated the National Response Coordination Center in Washington, DC and the Region Response Coordination Center in Denton, Texas.
- Deployed two state liaison officers to the Texas State Emergency Operations Center.
- Deployed one state liaison officer to the Louisiana Emergency Operations Center.
- Deployed two Incident Management Assistance Teams (IMAT): one to Houston, Texas and one to Lake Charles, Louisiana.
- An IMAT is composed of 15 professionals trained and designated to be the first federal responders on the ground to coordinate federal activities and provide initial situational awareness.
- Identifying commodities and materials that may be needed and preparing them for transportation to any impacted area.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)
- USACE has alerted it power and commodity teams and placed them on stand-by to support as needed.
The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG)
- In advance of the storm, the USCG will set Port Condition ZULU for the ports of Sectors Galveston, Houston, Port Arthur, and Free Port - all in Texas.
- Condition ZULU means that maritime traffic is prohibited from transiting the port.
U.S. National Guard Bureau
- Air Medical Evacuation teams from Mississippi, Tennessee, Delaware and West Virginia are on standby to assist and evacuate medical facilities along the Texas coast.
- The Texas National Guard has more than 20,000 trained officials prepared to respond to a natural disaster in support of civilian responders.
- The Texas National Guard has not activated personnel for Tropical Storm Edouard; however anticipates providing future fixed and rotary wing support.
The American Red Cross (ARC)
- ARC Chapters along the Gulf Coast are assessing evacuation shelter locations and placing trained volunteers on stand-by.
- Additional supplies such as shelter support trailers (cots, blankets), ready to eat meals and snacks have been pre-positioned in the Greater Houston area.
FEMA coordinates the federal governments 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.
Last Modified: Monday, 04-Aug-2008 18:43:13