Homeland Security Prepares for Hurricane Isabel

Release Date: 09/15/03 00:00:00

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
September 15, 2003

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has activated its emergency preparedness and response functions in expectation of landfall from Hurricane Isabel. The massive Category 4 hurricane, according to forecasts from the National Hurricane Center, is aiming for a Thursday afternoon landfall somewhere along the east coast of the U.S.  

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which became part of Homeland Security on March 1, has activated its Headquarters operations center as well as regional operation centers in three of its four east coast regions as it prepares to protect the lives and property of America’s citizens. FEMA's National Emergency Response Teams have been alerted with one team activated and deployed to the Philadelphia regional office to assist the regional management in marshalling response forces.

Three of FEMA's five Advanced Initial Response Resources Deployment Packages with cots, blankets, emergency meals, portable toilets, plastic sheeting, bottled water and generators have been moved to several forward staging areas in advance of Isabel's landfall. Remote sensors have been requested to provide post landfall assessment planning.

FEMA has activated The National Disaster Medical System with plans for possible deployment of Disaster Medical Assistance Teams to augment local medical services in the Hurricane's hardest hit areas. The Urban Search and Rescue Teams, remembered for their unprecedented service during the Northridge Earthquake and World Trade Center search efforts, have been placed on standby for possible activation.  

Regional personnel from FEMA's Atlanta, Philadelphia and New York offices are working closely with emergency officials from the states in Hurricane Isabel's projected landfall area. This stretch of mid-Atlantic coastline also includes the District of Columbia which is taking steps to alert and prepare residents for strong winds and heavy rains.

FEMA's mid-west and western regional offices have been alerted to respond if needed in support of the east coast regions in the event of any other natural or man-made incident.

The U.S. Coast Guard's land, air and sea forces along the Atlantic Coast are patrolling along Isabel’s expected hurricane route to warn vessels of this approaching storm and have pre-positioned rescue boats, ships, aircraft and helicopters along the coast to respond quickly to any emergency. Commercial mariners, recreational boaters and waterside facility operators are being updated on Isabel's projected path through regular Coast Guard radio broadcasts and information bulletins.

The Coast Guard has also alerted its Atlantic Strike Team, a special environmental response unit, to immediately respond to oil spills or other environmental effects of Isabel.  

In addition, the Department's Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection unit is assessing the vulnerabilities and potential impact to critical infrastructure located in the storm's projected path. Based upon these assessments, Homeland Security will be prepared to work with private sector partners and state and local government officials during the recovery phase.

Homeland Security officials encourage all citizens within the area of Isabel's projected landfall to closely monitor broadcasts from their emergency managers and to take seriously all preparedness instructions.    

This page was last modified on 09/15/03 00:00:00