FEMA Works with States Following Severe Storms and Tornados
Release Date: May 11, 2008
Release Number: HQ-08-070
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is working closely with states impacted from the recent severe storms and tornados as they assess damages. DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff has spoken with the governors of Oklahoma and Missouri, and both he and FEMA Administrator David Paulison are expected to travel to impacted areas on Tuesday, May 13. State and local resources currently are addressing the most immediate needs as federal resources support their efforts.
"First of all, we offer condolences to those who have lost loved ones or suffered injuries during these most recent series of storms", said Paulison. "As we observed the weather turning severe, I immediately placed FEMA's operations and logistics teams on notice so that we could provide assistance to the states as soon as the needs were identified and requested. We will partner with our state counterparts to ensure that we bring the full complement of federal resources to their aid as needed."
FEDERAL ACTIONS
FEMA Region IV:
- The Region IV Regional Response Coordination Center (RRCC) in Thomasville, Ga. is active.
- Regional officials have been in touch with the states of Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina about the recent storms to discuss any damages and needs.
- There have been no requests to the region at this time for any federal support.
FEMA Region VI:
- FEMA Region VI in Denton, Texas is in contact with emergency management officials in both Oklahoma and Arkansas.
- Existing federal/state Joint Field Offices (JFOs) are open in both states with FEMA staff already on-site.
- The RRCC is activated at a level III in order to closely monitor the situation. Communications and logistics personnel are standing by in the RRCC.
- The State of Oklahoma has requested FEMA Region VI participation for Individual Assistance (IA) Preliminary Damage Assessments (PDAs) for Ottawa County, which are scheduled to begin tomorrow.
- The region is monitoring weather and maintaining contact with their states to determine needs.
FEMA Region VII:
- The FEMA Region VII RRCC in Kansas City, Mo., is activated to receive request for federal resources and technical support and has been in touch with Missouri and Kansas.
- A FEMA State Liaison is on-site at the Missouri State Emergency Management Agencys (SEMA) Emergency Operations Center.
- Two FEMA Rapid Needs Assessment (RNA) teams deployed with Missouri SEMA today to Newton and Barry counties to assess immediate needs.
- FEMA Region VII has PDA teams ready if needed and requested.
- Existing federal/state JFOs are open in both Missouri and in Kansas with FEMA staff already on-site.
- Both the RRCC and JFO are monitoring/participating in conference calls between state and affected counties and receiving reports from RNA teams.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):
- EPA is sending staff to assess possible damage to the Superfund site located near the Town of Picher in Oklahoma.
Health and Human Services (HHS):
- HHS Regions coordinated with affected states health departments, with nothing negative to report.
National Guard Bureau (NGB):
- Conducting security operations in the States of Missouri, Oklahoma and Arkansas.
- JET Team on standby.
- 50 personnel in Stuttgart, AR.
- 16 personnel in Newton County, MO.
- 25 personnel in Picher, OK.
- 3 personnel and 1 UH-60 for helicopter over flight operations for the adjutant general and governor of Oklahoma.
- 4 personnel in Kentucky, as well as 1 in State EOC, with 1 helicopter on standby.
FEMA cautions individuals to be prepared and to listen to weather forecasts and their local and state officials. The strong storm system that was responsible for hundreds of reports of severe weather on Saturday, May 10, will continue to move east on Sunday. Ongoing strong to severe thunderstorms over the Southeast are expected to continue through Sunday night.
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.
Last Modified: Sunday, 11-May-2008 21:39:32