Homeland Security Deploys Massive Response and Recovery Effort For Isabel

Release Date: 09/19/03 00:00:00

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
September 19, 2003

In the wake of Hurricane Isabel, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is deploying a full range of response and recovery assets to the disaster areas. President Bush has signed disaster declarations for both North Carolina and Virginia that authorize a full range of disaster assistance to all counties severely impacted by the storm. Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge, who is directing the federal response effort, and FEMA Director Michael Brown are maintaining close contact with governors in the states affected by Isabel.

Secretary Tom Ridge emphasized that all pre-positioned Homeland Security teams are now mobilized. "The primary objective of the Department of Homeland Security and all responders now is to save lives and property," he said. "These responders are being expertly led by Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U. S. Coast Guard."

At first light this morning, FEMA and state response and recovery teams in North Carolina and Virginia began operations to assess damages from Hurricane Isabel and to identify immediate critical needs. Before Isabel struck, FEMA positioned medical teams, communications equipment and personnel and more than 70 semi-trailers loaded with water, cots, tents, generators, portable toilets, emergency meals and plastic sheeting to communities along the predicted path.

FEMA director Michael Brown urged evacuees from severely affected areas to be cautious about returning home and to closely follow the advice of local authorities as they work to restore services. "Please stay alert when returning to your home or when venturing out in your neighborhood after a hurricane," said Brown. "While the immediate danger is past, there are downed power lines, high water and other dangers that still threaten public safety."

The U. S. Coast Guard is flying search patrols along the track of the hurricane with C-130 patrol aircraft and helicopters to locate citizens in distress and to assess the damages in the multi-state and coastal areas. Helicopters are equipped to hoist people stranded on rooftops, cars, or in other distress situations.

In order to ensure the safety of traffic in mid-Atlantic ports, the U. S. Coast Guard is sending out boats, helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft to determine the impact of the hurricane on aids to navigation, waterways, and detect and respond to pollution incidents.

DHS is coordinating the entire Federal government response to Hurricane Isabel and continuing to monitor 15 sector-specific Information Sharing and Analysis Centers and identifying the most vulnerable critical infrastructures; electricity, telecommunications, water and transportation.

Health and Human Services emergency response teams are deployed to Raleigh, NC and Richmond, VA assisting state and local governments with evaluating the status and accessibility of hospitals and checking water and sanitation quality. They were on the ground days before Isabel made landfall.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, at FEMA's direction, has moved more than a hundred thousand gallons of water and tons of ice to the affected areas, and The Department of Defense opened four of its military bases for use as mobilization and staging sites for response teams and supplies.

The American Red Cross has more that 6,000 volunteers helping victims of Hurricane Isabel. Wednesday night 36,000 residents stayed in 352 Red Cross shelters throughout the 11 affected states and the District of Columbia. Two Red Cross-10,000 meals-a-day kitchens are in place and have served more than 75,000 meals so far. The Red Cross encourages those who still need help to call 1-866-GET INFO for shelter locations, preparedness tips and ways in which they can volunteer to help those in need.

This page was last reviewed/modified on 09/19/03 00:00:00.