WASHINGTON
- At the direction of President Obama, the Federal Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA) and our federal partners, through our regional offices
in Atlanta, Philadelphia, New York City and Boston, continue to closely
monitor Hurricane Sandy. FEMA is prepared and ready to support state,
local and tribal partners in responding to potential impacts of
Hurricane Sandy. FEMA Regional Administrators and
other senior officials in FEMA's regional offices have been in close
contact with their state counterparts in potentially affected states
along the East Coast to ensure coordination for any emergency response.
Earlier
today, President Obama was briefed by FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate,
National Hurricane Center Director Dr. Rick Knabb, and Homeland Security
Advisor John Brennan on Hurricane Sandy and ongoing federal actions to
prepare for the storm as it continues to move toward the United States
mainland. The President directed Administrator Fugate to ensure that all
available federal resources are being brought
to bear to support state and local responders in potentially affected
areas along the eastern seaboard as they prepare for the severe weather.
In
advance of the storm, and in coordination with the states, FEMA is
proactively deploying Incident Management Assistance Teams to
Connecticut, Delaware,
Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North
Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont to assist states and
local partners as they prepare for potential impacts. Liaison officers
are also being deployed to emergency operation centers
in Maryland, Virginia, District of Columbia, Pennsylvania, New York,
and New Jersey to help coordinate if additional support is needed.
"Tropical
storms can bring high winds, heavy rains and dangerous surf. Those
along the eastern seaboard should prepare now, monitor local forecasts
and
follow the instructions of local officials," urged FEMA Administrator
Craig Fugate. "This is a big storm with potential impacts beyond coastal
areas - know your risks, have a plan, and be prepared. Now is the time
to update your family communication plans,
check your supplies, and stay informed."
According
to the NOAA National Weather Service 2 p.m. advisory, tropical storm
watches and warnings remain in effect in many parts of the East Coast
from
Florida to North Carolina. Additional watches and warnings are
anticipated in the coming days.
At
all times, FEMA maintains commodities, including millions of liters of
water, millions of meals and hundreds of thousands of blankets,
strategically
located at distribution centers throughout the United States and its
territories, including Atlanta, Ga. and Frederick, Md., if needed and
requested.
U.S. Northern Command
is deploying Regional Defense Coordinating Officers (DCO), and
portions of the Defense Coordinating Element (DCE), in advance of the
storm, to validate, plan and coordinate potential Department of Defense
(DOD) support of FEMA's response operations and
to facilitate DOD support of life-saving and response operations.
The
Department of Energy (DOE) is working closely with FEMA and in support
of state and local officials is planning to deploy emergency response
personnel
to FEMA Regional Response Coordination Center in Boston, New York and Philadelphia
over the weekend as well as putting additional personnel on
standby to assist. DOE is taking steps to support state and local
authorities, who are responsible for coordinating with local utility
companies, as utilities begin the process of pre-mobilizing
storm and field personnel to assist in power restoration efforts. The
Department will provide up to twice daily Hurricane Sandy Situation
Reports as appropriate once the storm hits. These reports will be
available to the public and will detail the storm's
impacts and the restoration activities being taken by the energy
sector. The situation reports will be located at:
http://www.oe.netl.doe.gov/emergency_sit_rpt.aspx
FEMA
urges those along the East Coast to monitor the progress of Hurricane
Sandy. Individuals in the region should continue to monitor NOAA
Weather Radio
and their local news for severe weather updates, warnings and watches,
and follow instructions of local officials. While the exact track of the
storm is uncertain, according to the National Weather Service, storm
conditions associated with Hurricane Sandy
may impact East Coast states throughout the Southeast, Mid-Atlantic and
Northeast as early as tomorrow in some areas.
Everyone
should familiarize themselves with the terms that are used to identify a
severe weather hazard. A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical
storm conditions are expected within 36 hours. A Tropical Storm Watch
means that tropical storm conditions are possible within 48 hours. The
potential for heavy rains can also lead to flooding, or flash flooding
in some areas. Driving through a flooded area
can be extremely hazardous. Remember - turn around, don't drown.
