FEMA Continues to Coordinate Federal Response to Midwest Storms

Federal, state and local agencies continue to work together to save lives and protect property in the Midwest following severe storms and tornadoes that caused flooding and damage in multiple states. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been coordinating the federal effort to meet the needs identified by the state and local partners in emergency management.

The President signed a disaster declaration Sunday evening for the state of Indiana, hours after the governor requested it. Specifically, the declaration provides for

FEMA to coordinate federal support through direct federal assistance to help the state conduct emergency protective measures. Federal resources can be deployed, as identified and requested by the state, to deliver food, water, and other consumable commodities, as well as other emergency protective measures such as the installation of generators, installation of large plastic sheet roofing, and shoring or demolition of unsafe structures.

FEMA has deployed six Preliminary Damage Assessments (PDA) teams to begin joint federal-state Individual Assistance PDAs for affected Indiana counties. Before federal assistance can be made available for individuals and businesses, the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) and FEMA will conduct these damage assessments in all Indiana counties requested by the state, beginning with Morgan, Clay, Vigo, Shelby, Rush and Johnson counties tomorrow. Additionally, FEMA has been working with its partners to identify key infrastructure at risk of further damage and mobilize the efforts of federal resources to help state and local responders carry out lifesaving missions.

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 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 Region V
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.

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. The Region V IMAT, Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS), as well as regional and local emergency managers met up with the Governor of Indiana and IDHS Director in the community of Paragon where they held a town hall discussion with the residents.

Existing federal/state Joint Field Offices are open in Indiana and Ohio with FEMA staff already on-site. Specifically, the efforts of nongovernmental organizations and other federal agencies in Indiana include:

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. The USACE has been requested by the state to provide technical assistance for levees; USACE Flood-fight Team is scheduled to arrive in Indiana Monday, June 09, 2008.

American Red Cross (ARC):
American Red Cross had 9 shelters open last night in Indiana; occupancy was approximately 986.

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)

213 Indiana National Guard personnel on state active duty supporting multiple tasks including helicopter support, SAR, sandbagging, generator support, security, water delivery, and debris removal.

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 terror.

Published on: 2008-06-10

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