Federal Response To Tornado - Struck Communities Continues
Release Date: February 6, 2008
Release Number: HQ-08-014
The Department of Homeland Securitys Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) continues to work alongside state, local and non-governmental relief agencies to provide fast and effective response to the severe thunderstorms and tornadoes that swept through Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi and Tennessee.
Specialists from FEMA are on site to support the response efforts already underway, and more federal resources are being sent to meet needs as they arise or are identified. Specifically, the federal efforts underway include:
FEMA Region IV
- The Region IV Regional Response Coordination Center (RRCC) Watch Unit in Thomasville, Ga. is monitoring the situation and will remain on duty until further notice.
- FEMA state liaisons have deployed to Tennessee, Mississippi and Kentucky State Emergency Operations Center (SEOCs). Regular contact is being maintained with liaisons and the Region IV RRCC.
- The Federal Incident Response Team (FIRST) - Atlanta deployed late last night to the Tennessee SEOC. This morning, it redeployed to Lafayette in Macon County, 60 miles northeast of Nashville.
- Emergency Response Team Advance (ERT-A) has deployed to the Tennessee SEOC in support of the federal response mission.
- Federal preliminary damage assessment (PDA) teams are standing by to assist state and local emergency managers assess damages and identify needs.
FEMA Region VI
- An Initial Operating Facility is being established in Little Rock to begin coordinating the federal response in Arkansas.
- Ten PDA teams have been deployed to Arkansas to assess damages.
- Regional Administrator William Peterson is deploying to Little Rock to meet with FEMA and the state leadership.
- The Region VI RRCC in Denton, Texas is monitoring the situation and will remain on duty until further notice.
- A FEMA liaison is at the Arkansas SEOC.
- Emergency communications resources were sent with ERT-A to supplement state emergency managers. Additional satellite phones are being deployed to support state and local operations in communications limited locations.
- FIRST Chicago has deployed to Arkansas to assist state and local response efforts.
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
The SBA's Disaster Field Operations Center East (based in Atlanta) is mobilizing staff to participate in PDAs (along with FEMA and state emergency management officials) beginning Thursday in Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee and Kentucky. The Disaster Field Operations Center West (based in Sacramento) will simultaneously do the damage assessment in Arkansas along with FEMA and state emergency management representatives.
SBA's Disaster Field Operations Centers East and West are contacting their disaster reservists and regular staffers and placing them on travel alert to be deployed if needed.
SBA's Regional and District offices have also been briefed on the status of the PDAs, and have been placed on alert if it is determined that their support will be needed during the early phase of the recovery efforts.
NATIONAL GUARD BUREAU
National Guard missions normally performed during tornado relief operations include, but are not limited to: base and community clean-up; flood prevention and evacuation; distribution of supplies, ice and water; road clearing; search and rescue; security/law enforcement airspace coordination; clean-up; aircraft support and patient evacuations; airspace coordination; and billeting.
National Guard efforts currently underway in the affected states include:
Arkansas
- 28 National Guard personnel deployed on state active duty in support of search and rescue Operations.
- One (1) Observational Helicopter (OH58) currently deployed used for observation /utility missions.
Kentucky
- 53 National Guard personnel deployed on state active duty conducting security and traffic control operations.
- 13 HMMVS (Military version of the Hummer) currently deployed.
Tennessee
- 17 National Guard personnel deployed on state active duty in support of local authorities.
US Army Corps of Engineers:
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is prepared to assist the federal, state and local efforts in Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee and Kentucky. The Corps has alerted Public Works and Engineering Mission Planning and Response Teams and has deployed a team leader to FEMA Region IV's RRCC in Denton, TX.
Health and Human Services (HHS):
HHS is deploying a specialist to support federal activities in FEMAs Region IV RRCC.
Non-governmental relief agencies work in partnership with emergency managers to deliver life-sustaining services to those impacted by disasters. Some of the activities in response to these storms include:
American Red Cross:
American Red Cross (ARC) chapters are responding in all five states affected by the Southeast tornadoes. ARC regional and national resources are supplementing these efforts. Red Cross workers are on the job providing shelter, feeding victims and emergency personnel, and lending emotional support to all. More than 350 people stayed in shelters last night; todays activities will continue to focus on emergency sheltering and feeding. Over the next few days the Red Cross anticipates that it will begin bulk distribution of clean-up kits and other supplies.
The Red Cross encourages families forced from their homes to register on the Red Cross Safe and Well Web site at www.redcross.org.
FEMA continues to monitor the storm system as it moves into more areas, and assess its impact on those communities. The storms still are expected to bring high winds and dangerous conditions. Tornado conditions can happen quickly. Being prepared can save lives and property. While federal, state and local officials are responding to the storms, individuals also should take steps to plan for emergencies. The following are preparedness steps individuals can take now to protect their homes and families:
- Tune in to radio and television broadcasts that provide vital emergency information. Have a battery-powered radio on hand in case of power outages.
- Residents should identify appropriate tornado-safe sheltering locations and stay informed of approaching conditions by listening to local officials regarding emergency orders.
- Find out what you can do to be safe, such as creating family disaster plans. A wealth of information on preparing for disasters is available online at www.ready.gov and www.fema.gov. These Websites have reading materials for families, pet owners, business and community leaders, plus checklists and practice exercises.
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: Thursday, 07-Feb-2008 16:22:06