|
The federal government is supporting
state and local authorities by leading
one of the largest disaster response
mobilizations in United States history
to respond to Hurricane Katrina.
President George W. Bush declared major
disasters for impacted areas in Louisiana,
Mississippi, Florida, and Alabama, and
the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
(DHS) is actively managing federal assistance
to these affected communities in an
effort to expedite response efforts
and save lives. With these disaster
declarations, we are able to bring the
full resources of the federal government
to bear in helping the residents in
the impacted states with emergency needs
and recovery support.
Hurricane Katrina has proved to be
one of the most dangerous storms in
U.S. history. Although the eye of the
hurricane has passed, hazards from weakened
and damaged trees, downed power lines,
high water, and other dangers remain.
We urge citizens to be mindful of instructions
from state and local officials who have
asked that individuals remain in shelters,
homes or safe places until given further
notice.
Working with federal, state and local
agencies through the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA), DHS continues
to coordinate disaster relief and life-saving
efforts. Individuals in declared counties
can register online for disaster assistance
at www.fema.gov or call FEMA's toll
free registration line at 1-800-FEMA
(3362) - TTY 800-462-7585.
Highlights of the federal response
include:
FEMA
FEMA deployed many Disaster Medical
Assistance Teams from all across the
U.S. to staging areas in Alabama, Tennessee,
Texas, and Louisiana and is now moving
them into impacted areas.
Urban Search and Rescue task forces
and two Incident Support Teams have
been deployed and prepositioned in Shreveport,
La., and Jackson, Miss., including teams
from Florida, Indiana, Ohio, Maryland,
Missouri, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.
More Urban Search and Rescue teams are
in the process of deployment.
FEMA is moving supplies and equipment
into the hardest hit areas as quickly
as possible, especially water, ice,
meals, medical supplies, generators,
tents, and tarps.
U.S. Coast Guard
More than 40 Coast Guard aircraft from
units along the entire eastern seaboard,
with more than 30 small boats, patrol
boats, and cutters are positioned in
staging areas around the impact areas,
from Jacksonville, Fla., to Houston,
now conducting post-hurricane search,
rescue and humanitarian aid operations,
waterway impact assessments and waterway
reconstitution operations.
Department of Transportation
The U.S. Department of Transportation
(DOT) dispatched more than 390 trucks
that are beginning to deliver millions
of meals ready to eat, millions of liters
of water, tarps, millions of pounds
of ice, mobile homes, generators, containers
of disaster supplies, and forklifts
to flood damaged areas. DOT has helicopters
and a plane assisting delivery of essential
supplies.
National Guard
The National Guard of the four most
heavily impacted states are providing
support to civil authorities as well
as generator, medical and shelter with
approximately 7,500 troops on State
Active Duty. The National Guard is augmenting
civilian law enforcement capacity; not
acting in lieu of it.
Department of Agriculture
The U.S. Department of Agriculture
(USDA) State Emergency Boards are coordinating
agricultural-related responses at the
county, state, and national levels in
Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and
elsewhere. USDA is also coordinating
damage assessments to area crops, livestock,
and other agriculture-related operations.
Farmers are encouraged to contact their
local USDA Service Center for additional
information on assistance available.
Department of Health and Human Services
The U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services (HHS) has sent 38 U.S. Public
Health Service Officers to Jackson,
Miss., for deployment. In addition,
HHS has 217 U.S. Public Health Service
Officers on standby for deployment to
support medical response in Louisiana,
Mississippi, and other Gulf states.
Department of Defense
The United State Northern Command (NORTHCOM)
continues to assist FEMA after disaster
declarations were issued for Alabama,
Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi
following the devastation caused in
parts of each state by Hurricane Katrina.
Department of Labor
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA) is contacting major power companies
to the areas affected to provide safety
briefings to employees at power restoration
staging areas in affected communities.
OSHA is also releasing public service
announcements to inform workers about
hazards related to restoration and cleanup.
American Red Cross
The American Red Cross is providing
a safe haven for nearly 4,000 evacuees
in more than 230 Red Cross shelters,
from the panhandle of Florida, across
Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Georgia,
and Texas. The Red Cross is launching
the largest mobilization of resources
for a single natural disaster involving
thousands of trained disaster relief
workers, tons of supplies, and support.
The Red Cross relies on generous donations
of the American people to do its work.
The best way to help is by making an
online contribution to the Disaster
Relief Fund at www.redcross.org. Citizens
can also help by calling 1-800-HELP-NOW.
Because of logistical issues, the Red
Cross cannot accept donations of food
or clothing.
|
