FEMA Monitoring Strong Hurricane Isabel; Residents In Potentially Impacted States Encouraged To Get Prepared Now
Release Date: September 12, 2003
Release Number: HQ-03-183
Washington, DC. - Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary for Emergency Preparedness and Response, and other Department of Homeland Security officials are monitoring the progress of Hurricane Isabel - now the first Category 5 storm since Mitch in 1998. Brown encourages residents in potentially impacted states to take steps now to get prepared.
"Isabel is a good reminder that Americans in coastal regions should take the time to prepare for a hurricane well before it arrives by developing a family communication plan, an emergency supply kit and by learning more about the threats hurricanes present," said Brown. "FEMA is also preparing now by closely monitoring the hurricane's development and planning to manage a federal response if it becomes necessary."
The ninth named storm of the 2003 Atlantic Hurricane Season, Isabel has sustained winds of more than 155 mph. According to the National Hurricane Center, the center of the storm is about 455 miles northeast of the northern Leeward islands, moving west at 9 mph. Large ocean swells and dangerous surf are likely over portions of the Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico over the next several days.
Although the hurricane's predicted track does not show landfall, FEMA is monitoring the storm, talking to emergency officials and has deployed its Hurricane Liaison Team to the National Hurricane Center. Daily conference calls are being conducted between FEMA headquarters in Washington and its regional offices in New York (which is responsible for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands), Pennsylvania and Atlanta.
Hurricane Isabel underscores the need for residents in vulnerable states to take action now to prevent damage. Residents are encouraged to take preparedness steps, including:
- Buy bottled water or store tap water in clean containers with lids. For drinking, you need two quarts per person per day. Be sure you have several days worth on hand for each person and your pets.
- Ensure you have on hand several days' worth of canned and/or non-perishable food s that don't need refrigeration or cooking. Be sure you have a non-electric can opener.
- Make sure you have a transistor radio and flashlights that work, along with extra batteries. And make sure you have a basic first aid kit.
- Know where your main turn-off switches are for electricity, water and gas.
- Discuss with members of your family how you will contact one another if the hurricane comes ashore when family members are separated. Discuss evacuation routes and relatives or friends outside the immediate area that you can all contact to report your location.
- Make sure your pets have collars and identification tags and enough food to last several days.
For more information about hurricane prevention and preparedness, visit the FEMA Web site, at www.fema.gov.
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 Citizen Corps, the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.
Last Modified: Monday, 15-Sep-2003 13:19:44