Skip Navigation
Home Information Sharing & Analysis Prevention & Protection Preparedness & Response Research Commerce & Trade Travel Security & Procedures Immigration
About the Department Open for Business Press Room
Current National Threat Level is elevated

The threat level in the airline sector is High or Orange. Read more.

Homeland Security 5 Year Anniversary 2003 - 2008, One Team, One Mission Securing the Homeland

Highlights of United States Government Response to the Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina

Release Date: 09/08/05 00:00:00

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
Contact: 202-282-8010
September 8, 2005

Federal support to state and local officials and volunteer organizations continues around the clock in effort to save lives, sustain life, and assist with law enforcement operations in areas affected by Hurricane Katrina. The following facts highlight some of the important activities as of 2 p.m.:  

  • Lives Saved (rescues performed) – 47,300
  • Shelters – 750
  • People housed in shelters – 235,200
  • FEMA responders – 7,500
  • U.S. Coast Guard personnel – 4,000
  • National Guard personnel – 45,000
  • Active Duty Military – 19,000
  • MREs provided (meals) – 17 million
  • Water provided (liters) – 37.4 million

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is implementing a new assistance delivery tool by issuing debit cards to the thousands of evacuees at the Houston Astrodome. Currently, the amount of money being distributed through the expedited assistance program is $2,000 per household.

The Department of Health and Human Services has a toll-free hotline for people in crisis in the aftermath of this disaster. People in crisis are urged to call 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255). Callers will receive counseling from trained staff who will listen and assist in getting the mental health help callers need.

Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao, Treasury Secretary John W. Snow, Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez and Social Security Commissioner Jo Anne B. Barnhart will travel to Texas, Louisiana and Alabama on Friday to assess both near-term and long-term economic needs of the Gulf Coast region, and discuss assistance available to individuals and small businesses in the region.

U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns announced today that more than $170 million in emergency assistance is available to agricultural producers suffering from Hurricane Katrina.

Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales met with Department of Justice personnel today in the affected area to discuss relief and anti-fraud law enforcement efforts. Justice is leading a task force with FBI and the Federal Trade Commission to investigate disaster-related fraud crimes such as insurance fraud and charity fraud.

###

Related Information

This page was last modified on 09/08/05 00:00:00