FEMA Coordinates Federal Assistance After Winter Weather Impacts The Central United States
Release Date: January 30, 2009
Release Number: FNF-09-003
The winter storm that recently swept through much of the country produced significant snow, sleet and ice that caused major power outages after trees and power lines were damaged.
Federal efforts throughout the affected areas include:
Region IV:
The President signed an Emergency Declaration for the Commonwealth of Kentucky that can provide state and local officials with financial assistance for emergency protective measures
- Regional Response Coordination Center was activated and is working with Emergency Support Functions 1, 3, 6, 7, 8 and 11. These include working with federal partners in the areas of transportation, public works, mass care, logistics, public health and agriculture, and natural resources.
- An Interim Operating Facility Mobile Command Post, a FEMA Emergency Response Team, and the federal coordinating officer assigned to the disaster, are en route to the Kentucky State Emergency Operations Center (EOC).
- National Logistics Staging Area team members are traveling to Fort Campbell, Ky. to coordinate incoming federal supplies.
- Federal supplies en route include; 50 generators, 12 truckloads of water and six truckloads of meals.
Region VI:
On January 28, 2009, the President signed an Emergency Declaration for the State of Arkansas for Severe Winter Storm that occurred January 26 and continuing. The declaration authorizes FEMA to provide emergency protective measures, limited to direct federal assistance, under the Public Assistance Program at 75 percent federal funding for 48 counties.
- Regional Response Coordination Center was activated and is working with ESF 3 in the area of public works and engineering.
- Five Individual Assistance Preliminary Damage Assessment (PDA) Teams and four Public Assistance PDA Teams are prepositioning in Arkansas to be used as requested by the state.
- Two Mobile Disaster Recovery Centers and the Region VI Incident Management Assistance Team were deployed to the Arkansas State Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in Little Rock, along with the federal coordinating officer assigned to this disaster.
- Mission Assignments were completed with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for generator support. Generators are en route to the National Logistics Staging Area in Jonesboro to complement those already prepositioned in Fayetteville.
- One trailer of water and one trailer of meals were delivered to the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management at Camp Robinson in North Little Rock. In addition, one trailer of water and one trailer of meals were delivered to the logistics staging area in Jonesboro. Two trailers of water and two trailers of meals were delivered to the logistics staging area in Fayetteville.
- Members of the FEMA Debris Planning and Response team are en route to the Arkansas State EOC to assist with debris operations.
- The Oklahoma state EOC has returned to normal operations.
Region VII:
The Governor of Missouri requested an Expedited Major Disaster Declaration. The state specifically requested Individual Assistance, Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation statewide, as well as direct Federal Assistance for work and services to save lives and property.
- The Regional Response Coordination Center was activated and is working with Emergency Support Functions 3, 6, 8 and 12. These include working with federal partners in the areas of public works, mass care, public health and energy.
- FEMA Operations and Logistics liaison teams are working out of the state Office of Emergency Management in Jefferson City.
FEMA will continue to coordinate with federal partners, tribal, state and local governments and voluntary agencies. FEMA stands ready to support response efforts as needed.
FEMA leads and supports the nation in a risk-based, comprehensive emergency management system of preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation, to reduce the loss of life and property and protect the nation from all hazards including natural disasters, acts of terrorism and man-made disasters.
Last Modified: Friday, 30-Jan-2009 14:17:07