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

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

For Immediate Release
Office of the Secretary
Contact: 202-282-8010
September 9, 2005

Federal support to state and local officials and volunteer organizations continues around the clock in an 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) – 48,586
  • Shelters – 774
  • People housed in shelters – 248,200
  • FEMA responders – 8,100
  • U.S. Coast Guard personnel – 4,000
  • National Guard personnel – 46,200
  • Active Duty Military – 20,000
  • MREs provided (meals) – 18.3 million
  • Water provided (liters) – 40.7 million

Nearly $460 million in expedited aid to individuals has been provided by the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency in the 48 hours since the agency activated the expedited assistance program. More than 230,000 eligible households are receiving payments of $2,000 to help pay for their emergency needs of food, shelter, clothing, personal necessities and medical needs.

Three states have established donations hotlines to help manage the overwhelming outpouring of generosity shown by people from around the world:

  • Mississippi, 1-866-230-8903
  • Alabama, 1-877-273-5018
  • Louisiana, 1-866-334-8304

The FEMA Donations Hotline is 1-800-440-6728. To date, over 84,000 offers have been received through this line and calls are coming in at a rate of about 12,000 per day.

President Bush named Sept. 16, 2005 a national day of prayer and remembrance to honor the victims and survivors of Hurricane Katrina.

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