BANGOR, Maine- U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security Committee which has oversight of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), today issued this statement on Hurricane Sandy.

"As Hurricane Sandy moves closer to the east coast of the United States, I am in close touch with Maine Emergency Management Agency as well as FEMA officials both in Washington and here in New England. In a conference call Saturday with FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate, I was assured that FEMA is prepositioning food, water, and other important necessities such as generators, in areas where they will most likely be needed. In addition, rapid response teams are ready to be deployed, and in the event Governor LePage believes a team is needed for our state, one will be sent here. As this storm continues to develop, it is important that all Mainers listen closely to the National Weather Service forecasts and to instructions from local authorities and emergency management officials."

Additional information from the Maine Emergency Management Agency on Hurricane Sandy can be found here: http://www.maine.gov/mema/

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