FEMA Responds to Severe Midwest Weather
CHICAGO, Ill. -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region V is working closely with the states in the Great Lakes region being impacted by the severe storms and tornados passing over the area. Region V serves Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin.
Region V is monitoring the weather situation continuously. As the weather turns severe, FEMA operations and logistics teams begin to anticipate what may be needed and where it may be needed as FEMA liaisons coordinate closely with state emergency management personnel who are identifying their specific needs and making requests for assistance.
FEMA can bring the full complement of federal resources to aid the states, if needed. Response efforts continue to focus on assessing needs and coordinating with partners in state and federal governments, as well as with non-governmental agencies to meet the needs identified.
FEMA Region V
The Regional Response Coordination Center (RRCC) in Chicago is activated to closely monitor the weather conditions 24-7 at a high level. The RRCC is coordinating the responses for state/local requests through emergency support function personnel, including representatives from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Environmental Protection Agency, Health and Human Services, Coast Guard and the Department of Defense, as well as communications and logistics personnel.
The RRCC is maintaining open communications with all affected states, including the presence of FEMA state liaisons on site at the Indiana Emergency Operations Center (EOC), Wisconsin EOC and Minnesota EOC.
Members of Region V’s Incident Management Assistance Team (IMAT) are deployed to southern Indiana. Yesterday IMAT Operations Section Chief Eric Gentry joined local Emergency Management Director Jeff Neal and Indiana Office of Homeland Security District V Coordinator Bryan Wolfe in an aerial assessment of Morgan County.
Existing federal/state Joint Field Offices are open in Indiana and Ohio with FEMA staff already on-site.
U.S. Coast Guard (USCG):
Two USCG rescue air assets coordinated with the state of Indiana on overflights of affected areas around Evansville, Ind. Indiana Task Force One Disaster Medical Assistance Team coordinated with the USCG for rescue assets.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE):
An USACE representative has been deployed to the Indiana EOC at the request of the state.
American Red Cross (ARC):
10 shelters are currently open in eight counties; occupancy is not available at this time.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):
EPA is assisting the Indiana Department of Environmental Management on hazardous materials releases related to the flooding.
Health and Human Services (HHS):
HHS is coordinating with affected states' health departments and continues to monitor the situation.
Department of Defense
48 Marines were sent to assist with the evacuation of Columbus Regional Hospital in Bartholomew County.
Indiana National Guard Bureau (NGB)
50 National Guard are joining 50 Indiana State Troopers in assisting with the evacuation in Bartholomew County.
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 will continue to move through the Midwest.
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 terrorism.
Published on: 2008-06-09
Limited copyright is granted for you to use and/or republish any story on this site for
any legitimate media purpose as long as you reference 7thSpace and any source mentioned in the story above. Please
make sure to read our disclaimer prior to contacting 7thSpace Interactive. To contact our editors, visit our online helpdesk. If you wish submit your own press release, click here.
Social Bookmarking
RETWEET This! | Digg this! | Post to del.icio.us | Post to Furl | Add to Netscape | Add to Yahoo! | Rojo
|
|
