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by FEMA News
Release Date: September 2, 2005
Release Number: HQ-05-193
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- FEMA, along
with its federal partners, state governments and voluntary agencies, are
all working to keep meals ready to eat (MREs), food, water, ice, medical
supplies, generators, and other critical commodities flowing into
hurricane-hit areas, said Michael D. Brown, Department of Homeland
Security's Principal Federal Officer for Hurricane Katrina response and
head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
“This is a disaster of
catastrophic magnitude like none we've seen before,” said Brown. “It has
created challenges that we are working around the clock to address and
fix. In the meantime, we continue life-saving and sustaining efforts and
directing resources to those with the most urgent needs.”
To date,
- 15,000 evacuations have been
made from the New Orleans Superdome to the Astrodome in Houston and are
continuing today to San Antonio for housing at Kelly Air Force Base.
Evacuations will continue from Louisiana to Reunion Arena in Dallas, and
Lackland AFB, Tex.
- 2,000 patients have been
evacuated from the New Orleans airport. Seven National Disaster Medical
Service Disaster Medical Assistance Teams (DMATs) and 3 strike teams are
supporting New Orleans medical facilities and hospitals not fully
operational and setting up MASH-style tents. Five DMATs and 5 strike
teams are working in medical facilities and hospitals in Gulfport,
Biloxi and other areas of Mississippi.
- Commodities delivered to date
include:
- 1.9 million MREs
- 6.7 million liters of water
- 1.7 million pounds of ice
- More than 600 buses to
transport evacuees
- As of yesterday, there were
204 shelters with a population of 53,004. This number fluctuates daily.
- More than 170,000 meals a day
are being served throughout the affected areas.
- 14,000 National Guard are on
the ground in three states and an additional 1,400 will arrive today and
1,400 on Saturday to assist with security of victims and responders. A
total of 27,000 members of the National Guard will be deployed to the
affected areas.
- 200 Border Patrol agents, 200
additional law enforcement officers from other Louisiana jurisdictions
and 2,000 officers from neighboring states are assisting in restoring
order in the streets of New Orleans.
- Nearly 500 U.S. Corps of
Engineers civilians and soldiers are working on the New Orleans levee
breach and coordinating the transport of ice and water.
- A Disaster Recovery Center (DRC)
is opening today in Bayou La Batre, Ala., and another tomorrow in
Chatom, Ala.
- FEMA is setting up a Joint
Housing Solutions Center to bring together public, private and voluntary
agency stakeholders to develop innovative funding and streamlined
operational partnerships to address the short and long-term housing
needs of disaster victims.
- More than 7,000 people have
been rescued -- Urban Search and Rescue task forces have made more than
2,000 rescues and U.S. Coast Guard ships, boats and aircraft have been
used to rescue approximately 5,000 people.
Affected individuals in declared
counties can register online for disaster assistance at www.fema.gov or
call FEMA's toll-free registration line 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) – TTY
800-462-7585, hours. Victims are encouraged to register on-line due to the
possibility of high call volume. If registering by phone, owners of
commercial properties and residents with only minor losses are urged to
wait a few days before calling so those whose homes were destroyed or
heavily damaged can be served first. Phone lines are open 24-hours, 7 days
a week.
FEMA prepares the nation for all
hazards and manages federal response and recovery efforts following any
national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, trains first
responders, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the
National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration. FEMA
became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last
Updated: Wednesday, 07-Sep-2005 10:10:48
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