Retrieved 9/3/2008 from http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=45641
Release Date: September 3, 2008
Release Number: HQ-08-183
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is working with numerous federal agencies and voluntary organizations to support state and local authorities in the Southeastern United States as they prepare for Hurricane Hanna even as they continue to support efforts in the Gulf Coast region following Hurricane Gustav.
Federal, state and local resources in the Gulf Coast, and particularly in Louisiana and Mississippi, are focused on life-saving and safety-related activities. Federal officials understand that people will be anxious to return home following the storm, but are asking for everyone to be patient and to wait for the "all clear" from state and local officials. Evacuees attempting to return home early face road blocks, traffic delays, serious health hazards, as well as limited or no water, food, utility service, health care, and hospital access. Evacuees should remember that grocery stores, other retail establishments, hospitals, and other businesses face the same issues, and may not even be able to open their doors for some time. Recovery will take time, but federal resources will support the rebuilding effort.
Gulf Coast residents benefitted from their strong preparations and willingness to listen to local, state and federal officials on actions they could take to prepare as well as the need to evacuate. Residents in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina who face the potential threat of Hurricane Hanna should take similar precautions. Individuals, families and businesses should develop their own emergency plan. They should prepare an emergency kit with medicine, food, water, batteries and other materials that will help them to support themselves and their families for 72 hours as debris and weather can limit government response times. Everyone should pay attention to local media broadcasts and respect any evacuation order issued by state and local authorities. Residents are reminded to include text messaging in their communication plans in case cellular calls are limited. Information is available at www.Ready.gov on how families and individuals can best prepare before the storm.
An interagency team of federal, state and local officials also continues to monitor the progress of Hanna and to review preparations and plans to ensure Southeastern communities are as prepared as Gulf Coast communities were last week. Many agencies have positioned staff, supplies and resources to ensure they are ready to supplement state and local efforts should such actions be warranted.
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