FEMA update on Midwest flooding disaster recovery

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator David Paulison and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Michael Chertoff began a tour of the flood-ravaged communities in Ohio and Minnesota yesterday. Paulison will continue his assessment of the Midwest today (Friday) by visiting additional areas in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Paulison and Chertoff will meet with the governors to view the impacted areas and assess the needs of residents in the flooded communities. Specialists from FEMA Region V continue to work closely with the states. Earlier in the week, FEMA supported the state response and assisted with damage assessments. FEMA continues to evaluate needs and data in anticipation of requests for assistance from the federal government.

FEMA has published the following update on disaster recovery activities in the affected areas:

Region 5 Federal response
In Wisconsin, and in Minnesota, FEMA Region V disaster specialists have been working at the state Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs) since Sunday August 19, to assist with coordinating state requests for federal assistance. On Wednesday August 23, ten joint Federal / state Preliminary Damage Assessment (PDA) teams began assessing damage. All work is being done as quickly and as carefully as possible as the teams from Minnesota Homeland Security Emergency Management and FEMA work together.

The Governor of Wisconsin requested a joint federal / state Preliminary Damage Assessment (PDA) to identify level of damage and needs for federal support. FEMA is assisting in coordinating those assessments that are set to begin on Monday August 27, 2007.

FEMA Region V continues to monitor the flooding in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Ohio and Illinois, and is maintaining close contact with the state emergency managers. FEMA Region V Regional Response Coordination Center (RRCC), the federal counterpart to the state EOCs has been staffed for a 24-hour operation since Monday, August 20.

Region 6 Federal response
In preparation for Tropical Storm Erin, the Region VI RRCC in Denton was activated to monitor the storm as it approached the Texas coast, while coordinating with state officials to provide situational awareness. An advance team consisting of three FEMA specialists and a support team from the Defense Coordinating Element was sent to Corpus Christi, where they coordinated with the state’s Regional Liaison Officer and the Disaster District Captain. This team had the capability to relay information back to the Regional Office and FEMA Headquarters. Vehicles assigned were capable of transmitting video signals, satellite phone communications and internet capability.

A FEMA liaison specialist was embedded in the state Emergency Operations Center in Austin to assist with potential requests for federal assistance. Commodities such as water and Meals-Ready-to-Eat (MREs) were also pre-positioned at Camp Mabry and at a Texas Forest Service site in Austin.

The state of Oklahoma was hit hard by Tropical Storm Erin. FEMA officers were already in the state assisting with flooding from earlier in the year, and were able to augment their close ties with the State of Oklahoma by increasing personnel to support the state response. The FEMA joint field office in Oklahoma, in addition to the regional and national headquarters, continues to monitor the damage and provide assistance pending a request from the governor.

Region 7 Federal response
As a result of the flooding in Iowa, FEMA Region VII deployed a state liaison to support the Iowa state EOC. The Region VII RRCC remains operational and RRCC staff is maintaining communication and coordination operations with the Iowa EOC. The state may request a joint federal / state PDA if the damages identified in Iowa’s local/state PDAs are warranted. Three FEMA teams will begin joint federal / state PDAs Monday, August 27, in support of Missouri’s request following the recent flooding.

Region VII Administrator Dick Hainje arrived at the Iowa EOC early Thursday morning and has met with top state disaster officials, including Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Director David Miller.

•Date: 24th August 2007• Region: US •Type: Article •Topic: DR general
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