Federal Government Readies for Tropical Storm Rita, FEMA Urges Preparedness

Release Date: 09/19/05 00:00:00

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
Contact: 202-282-8010
September 19, 2005

The Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is urging residents in South Florida and along the Gulf Coast to pay close attention to Tropical Storm Rita’s progress. Residents of the Florida Keys and the Gulf Coast should heed the directives of state and local officials and make preparations now.

Tropical Storm Rita has the potential to track through the Gulf region with a current impact zone from Mexico to Mississippi and possibly Alabama. Residents in Southeastern Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama should be advised that the storm could have particular impact in areas heavily damaged by Hurricane Katrina.

“We urge the public to take this storm seriously and to listen to state and local authorities for instructions,” said R. David Paulison, acting Director for FEMA. “FEMA and the entire federal government stand ready to assist state and local authorities by pre-positioning commodities and preparing to respond with critical personnel and supplies.”

FEMA is preparing for Tropical Storm Rita by pre-positioning supplies and commodities in the surrounding areas of potential landfall of the storm. In addition to these preliminary steps, federal agencies are providing the following support if necessary:

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is prepared to provide food supplies. Other emergency programs, such as food stamps, are ready to be activated if needed.

The U.S. Department of Defense has deployed Defense Coordinating Officers and Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officers to the Florida state emergency operations center, to FEMA regional headquarters, and to the Tallahassee FEMA Mobilization Center.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has deployed HHS liaisons to both the Florida state operations center and the federal regional operations center in Atlanta. Another Emergency Response Team is staffed and ready to deploy. Secretary Leavitt activated the entire U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) Commissioned Corps to respond to Hurricane Katrina, and USPHS officers are now on alert across the nation and could be sent to help with Tropical Storm Rita. The Strategic National Stockpile is on alert and push packages of medical supplies, material and Federal Medical Shelter equipment are ready to ship if needed.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has deployed a team to monitor the storm’s progress and coordinate federal activity. Homeland Security components are providing further support:

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has pre-positioned over one hundred trucks of ice, water and Meals-Ready-to-Eat, as well as two Disaster Medical Assistance Teams, two Urban Search & Rescue Task Forces, and multiple Mobile Emergency Response System personnel.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Air division will provide two helicopters and one Cheyenne aircraft to conduct a Rapid Needs Assessment (RNA). CBP Air also will provide one P3 LRT with near real time video capability (“Big Pipe”) to transmit imagery to be used for post-hurricane assessments in the vicinity of the Florida Keys.

The Private Sector Office has established the National Emergency Resource Registry where companies can register resources they would like to donate or sell and those involved in the relief efforts can register the resources they need. The Private Sector Office establishes an ongoing dialogue between FEMA and business leaders in the affected regions, rapidly disseminates information, identifies unmet needs and facilitates collaborative efforts between Federal, State and local agencies with industry and private sector organizations.

The U.S. Department of the Interior has closed national parks, national wildlife refuges and other Interior-managed national preserves, recreation areas and installations in the predicted path of Tropical Storm Rita. Interior agencies are securing facilities, evacuating employees in at-risk locations, and alerting and deploying emergency assistance teams to areas likely to be affected by the storm. The U.S. Geological Survey has a Field Response Team in place and the Bureau of Indian Affairs is coordinating with tribal governments in the vicinity to provide requested assistance. The Minerals Management Service is working with state and local officials and energy companies to secure offshore oil and gas platforms and onshore production facilities.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) is prepared to provide technical assistance to ensure the health and safety of workers involved in any potential rescue, recovery or rebuilding efforts.

Following is a list of actions that individuals should undertake and supplies to gather before Rita’s anticipated landfall.

Before a Hurricane Strikes:

Plan a safe evacuation route and identify safe shelter space within your area. Those in storm surge zones, in flood zones, or in less than standard housing should be especially vigilant in preparing disaster plans.

Have disaster supplies on hand, including:

Nonperishable food and water (including a non-electric can opener)
Flashlight, portable battery-operated radio and extra batteries
First-aid kit
Essential prescription medicines
Cash and credit cards
Sturdy shoes and a change of clothing
Copies of important papers (bank statements, insurance records, identification cards, etc.)

When a Hurricane Watch or Warning is Issued:

Listen to hurricane progress reports. Follow instructions if ordered to evacuate.
Check your emergency supplies. Store drinking water in clean bathtubs, jugs, bottles and available cooking pots.
Bring in outdoor objects such as lawn furniture, toys and garden tools; anchor objects that cannot be brought inside but that could be wind-tossed.
Secure your home by installing hurricane shutters or precut plywood.
Trim dead branches from trees.
Turn the refrigerator and freezer to the coldest settings if not instructed by officials to turn off utilities.
Fuel your car. Review evacuation routes and gather your disaster supply kit.
Store valuables and personal papers in a waterproof container.
Review your family disaster plan.

If You Are Told To Evacuate:

Leave as soon as possible. Avoid flooded roads and watch for washed-out bridges.
Secure your home. Unplug appliances and turn off electricity and the main water valve. If time permits, elevate furniture to protect it from flooding or move it to a higher floor.
Take your pre-assembled emergency supplies and warm, protective clothing.

Water Safety Tips:

Stay off the water. The Coast Guard's search and rescue capabilities are degraded as storm conditions strengthen. This means help could be delayed. Boaters are urged to heed to weather watches, warnings and small craft advisories. People should not go out on their boats 48 hours prior to and at least 72-96 hours after a hurricane has passed through an area.
Evacuate as necessary. If mandatory evacuations are set for an area, the public is urged to heed to these evacuation orders. Coast Guard personnel and other emergency responders may not be able to evacuate those in danger during the storm.
Secure your belongings. Owners of larger boats are urged to move their boats to inland marinas where they will be less vulnerable to breaking free of their moorings or damage. Trailer able boats should be pulled from the water and stored in a place that is not prone to flooding.
Stay clear of beaches. Even the best swimmers can fall victim to the strong waves and rip currents caused by Rita. Swimmers are urged to stay clear of beaches until local officials say the water is safe.

For more information on emergency preparedness, please visit Ready.gov or FEMA.gov.

###

This page was last modified on 09/19/05 00:00:00