FEMA:

 

Release Date: September 26, 2008
Release Number: 1785-055

ORLANDO, Fla. — The usual images from the first days of a disaster are dramatic and memorable: scores of people with chainsaws cutting tree limbs from houses or roads; or operating boats to snatch frightened people from trees or housetops; or helping feed hundreds of hungry storm survivors inside a huge dining tent.

Many of these people are there because they simply saw a need to help – volunteers. But when the emergency response ends, what happens to the volunteers when the TV cameras leave and the sky is blue?

Floridians who suffered losses as a result of the recent flooding from Tropical Storm Fay, and who still have serious unmet needs long after the cameras leave, should take some comfort in knowing that a band of dedicated volunteers plans to be where needed to help long after the state-federal recovery center doors have closed.

Even in the face of today’s shrinking volunteer funds and overwhelming hurricane disasters, volunteer disaster response agencies have formed to fill unmet needs that inevitably occur in any disaster. The groups get together to help affected families develop a plan and access the resources needed for their long-term needs. “We’re here for the long haul” is their motto.

“Long term” might best be defined by explaining that non-profit volunteer help is still being provided to some people who survived Hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne that all Floridians here in 2004 will recall. Good organization with a central focus is the key to volunteer effectiveness.

A committee structure makes it possible to access agencies simultaneously and to receive the benefit of numerous solutions to problems. Under the umbrella of the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD) http://www.nvoad.org/, such an effort is underway today in Florida in response to the disaster assistance needs caused by Fay.

How did it all start?

After Hurricane Camille ravaged the Mississippi Gulf Coast 39 years ago, organizations involved in providing resources and services to communities affected by disasters shared their mutual concern over the frequent duplication of services. These organizations, which today make up NVOAD, have met together annually since 1971. Their main goal, which is also the keystone of a long-term recovery effort, is to promote what they call the Four C’s – communication, coordination, collaboration and cooperation – for better disaster preparation, response, recovery and mitigation effort.

NVOAD, in an informal agreement with FEMA, shepherds scores of volunteer organizations who provide many disaster relief services, including (but certainly not limited to) emergency distribution services; mass feeding; disaster child care; mass or individual shelter; comfort kits; supplementary medical care; cleaning supplies; emergency communications; emotional care; transportation and guidance in managing unaffiliated volunteers.

While the public is aware of the vital role the American Red Cross, Salvation Army and other agencies play in providing emergency assistance during a disaster response, people often don’t realize that these less recognized non-profit organizations continue to provide help long after the emergency phase has passed. Volunteer agencies responding to Tropical Storm Fay’s flood recovery effort, for example, include:

The American Red Cross, The Salvation Army, Boy Scouts of America, Florida Conference of The United Methodist Church, Knights Hospitallers of the Sovereign Order of St. John of Jerusalem, ACTS World Relief and Lutheran Services Florida.

Volunteer Florida, the Governor’s Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service, reminds Floridians that the most efficient way to support disaster survivors is donating to the disaster relief organization of their choice. To find out more about these organizations and how to donate you can visit www.volunteerflorida.org. For more information on Florida Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, go to http://www.nvoad.org.

FEMA coordinates the federal government’s role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

Last Modified: Friday, 26-Sep-2008 13:12:49

FEMA, the Aidmatrix Foundation and Corporate Sponsors have partnered to launch a virtual portal to allow companies or individuals to offer their support on-line to leading organizations in humanitarian relief. This portal is designed to make it as easy to offer financial support, product donations, or to donate your skills and time to nonprofit organizations active in disaster relief. Please select below if you would like to extend your support to national nonprofits or to a specific state and their nonprofit partners.

The Aidmatrix Network helps nonprofit organizations get access to offers of support. Please Click Here if you would like to extend your support to a nonprofit at the national level.

FEDERAL AGENCIES SUPPORT SEARCH & RESCUE, SAFETY MISSIONS

 

 Local, state and federal emergency responders are engaged in search and rescue and life-saving efforts and are providing those in need with water, food, and medical care, while also taking appropriate actions to prevent crime and restore essential services.

 Residents in the affected areas are reminded that power, water, sewage and medical assistance may be limited in the aftermath of a storm; evacuees should wait to return until essential services are restored.  Immediately following the storm, local, state and federal officials will begin conducting damage and needs assessments.

 The federal government is working with public and private sector partners throughout the Gulf region to protect and restore critical infrastructure and key resources including electrical power and telecommunications, water and wastewater facilities, and fuel availability.  Federal entities will conduct assessment operations and will reopen airports and seaports as soon as possible with minimum effect on commerce and travel.

 People outside the storm’s path can help, too.  Make a donation to a charity supporting our effort, such as the American Red Cross at www.redcross.org.  FEMA has also partnered with the Aidmatrix Foundation to help companies and individuals offer their support online.  This portal is designed to make it as easy to offer financial support, product donations, or to donate skills and time to nonprofit organizations active in disaster relief.  To make a contribution or to volunteer, visit www.aidmatrixnetwork.org.

 

WASHINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is working with its federal, tribal, state and local partners to keep people safe and coordinate rescue missions as Hurricane Ike moves across Texas and Louisiana.  Ike remains a powerful storm as it moves inland.  Residents should remain under shelter and wait for the storm to pass.  It is extremely important for citizens to continue to listen to guidance and direction from state and local authorities.  Safety should be everyone’s first priority.

As we watched and felt Ike brush our coastlines, grateful that we were not in the path, I hope it made us all aware of the grave importance of preparedness.  Not just personal preparedness, but business and community preparedness as well.  It is not just the job of Emergency Mangement professionals who work so commitedly to ensure our safety,  it is the job of every resident in our communities.   

Earlier updates were comparing this event to Hurricane Carla, 1961,  that impacted the coastline with devasting  force.  “Carla was a Category 4 hurricane with 145 mph winds at landfall, and drove a 10 foot or higher storm surge to a 180-mile stretch of Texas coast. A maximum storm surge of 22 feet was recorded at Port Lavaca, Texas. Despite the fact that the center of Carla hit over 120 miles southwest of Houston, the hurricane drove a 15-foot storm surge into the bays along the south side of the city. Ike’s maximum surge is not likely to reach the extreme values above 20 feet seen in Hurricane Carla.”   The protective wall in Galveston is only 18 feet high. 

Clearly, we have been spared, again.

It is incumbent upon all of us to prepare, collaborate, communicate and coordinate to effectively create plans that will provide us with the most efficient and effective ability to recover.  Be prepared and be prepared to recover.  There but for the grace…

Below is a link to a release from FEMA emphasizing the importance of the work we are all doing.  As you read this, ask yourself, “Am I ready?”

 http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1221176047638.shtm

Donations For Hurricane Victims Are Needed
Wed, 10 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0500

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is urging people who want to help victims of the recent storms to make donations through voluntary organizations that are active in the ongoing disaster operations.

“Financial contributions are needed to support relief activities for Hurricane Gustav and Tropical Storm Hanna, recovery activities for the Midwest floods and Tropical Storms Dolly and Fay, and in preparation for Hurricane Ike. We need the goodwill of citizens in every community to best support those that have been affected,” says Diana Rothe-Smith, Executive Director of National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD), a membership organization of disaster relief and recovery nonprofit and faith based organizations.

Those who wish to provide assistance to support disaster relief efforts are encouraged to contact the voluntary agency of their choice that they may normally contribute to in times of disaster. For those who don’t know who to reach, they can provide financial support, donate needed product or donate time and skills through the National Donations Management Network at www.fema.gov/donations. The network is a Web-based portal through which individuals and the private sector can offer their support to the voluntary organizations that are actively engaged in ongoing disasters.

“Monetary donations to faith-based and community-based non-profit organizations responding to disasters are the best choice for helping those affected by these storms,” said John Kim Cook, FEMA director of the Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. “During this disaster as in others before it, so many Americans and so many faith-based and community-based non-profits have offered their support to their fellow Americans, both in donating goods and services and in volunteering their time. Those who wish to provide donations or volunteer their time to support disaster relief efforts are encouraged to contact the voluntary agency of their choice, such as a faith-based or community organization.”

For information on the voluntary agencies that play a vital role in disaster recovery, visit the National VOAD site at www.NVOAD.org.

FEMA coordinates the federal government’s role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

Last Modified: Thursday, 11-Sep-2008 17:18:22

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is coordinating the preparations of its partners in federal, state, tribal and local governments as Hurricane Ike is now expected to make landfall in Texas later this week.  But with the record this year of storms shifting course before they strike the coast, all Gulf Coast residents are reminded to “Get Serious: Be Prepared.” Read more at: http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=45704

Recent hurricanes, flooding, tornadoes, wildfires and the tragic events of September 11, 2001, have emphasized the need for everyone – families and businesses – to be prepared.

The Florida Business Disaster Survival Kit is part of the official state disaster preparedness and mitigation program, Florida Prepares!

For more information on  the kit, click here

Hurricane Ike
September 8, 2008, 1330 hrs

At 1100 hours Hurricane Ike was located about 555 miles S-SE of Tampa, moving toward the west at 14 mph. Maximum sustained winds are near 100 mph making Ike a category 2 hurricane. Ike is moving toward the west but a turn toward the west-northwest should begin later today. Ike should move along or just south of the southern coast of central Cuba today, over western Cuba Tuesday, and then into the southeastern Gulf of Mexico Tuesday night.
Ike’s continuing path to the west is good news for Hillsborough County. Even though we are well out of the 3-day and 5-day cones of uncertainty, the Tampa Bay area will still feel some effects of Ike. Dangerous rip currents will develop Wednesday through Friday as the swells from Ike reach our area. We can also expect breaking waves of 4-6 feet and minor beach erosion, as well as “blustery” conditions.

The remnants of Josephine continue to produce intermittent and disorganized showers and thunderstorms. The storm still has some spin. Wind shear has fallen today but a large area of dry Saharan air surrounds the system. With shear expected to remain low for the next four days and a moister environment expected 2-4 days from now, conditions will become more favorable for Josephine to possibly regenerate later this week.

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT WEATHER ADVISORY #6 Hurricane Ike September 7, 2008, 1330 hrs

At 1100 hours Hurricane Ike was located about 775 miles SE of Tampa, moving toward the west at 13 mph. Maximum sustained winds are near 135 mph making Ike a category 4 hurricane. Ike is forecast to continue a west to southwest motion today with a turn toward the west-northwest on Monday. On this track Ike will mover over or near eastern Cuba tonight and central Cuba on Monday. Ike is expected to remain a major hurricane as it approaches eastern Cuba and then weaken as it moves over eastern and central Cuba on Monday. However, it would take only a very small deviation from the forecast track for Ike to spend much less time over Cuba and primarily track over the warm waters of the Florida Straits instead. Either way when Ike reaches the southeastern Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday restrengthening is expected due to the warm waters and minimal shear.

This track is good news for the Tampa Bay area since it takes Ike well off the coast. However, large swells generated by Ike will affect portions of the south Florida coast during the next couple of days. The waves could generate dangerous rip-currents. Additionally, while forecast models are in fairly good agreement it is still much too early to anticipate which areas along the Gulf Coast could be impacted by this system.

The EOC remains at normal operations and the staff will continue to monitor the system.

As we enter the height of the Atlantic hurricane season all are urged to review plans and be prepared to act on short notice. We also encourage everyone to keep “thinking sunshine” not only for us but for our friends and peers in south Florida and along the Gulf coast.

The next EOC advisory will be published tomorrow afternoon (September 8, 2008)

From the National Hurricane Center’s 5 a.m. advisory forecast cone.

Hurricane Ike is now projected – in the center of the forecast track cone – to cross northern Cuba Tuesday morning and move through the Florida Straits into the Gulf of Mexico. It would remain south of the Florida Keys, but probably produce hurricane or tropical storm-like conditions in the Keys.  The course after 2 a.m. Thursday, when the center of the path is well southwest of Tampa in the Gulf, is not yet known.

For the moment, most of Florida is not even in the cone. Extreme south Florida and the Keys are in the northeastern tip of the cone for Tuesday.

NHC forecasts Friday had the center of the track crossing Homestead and Miami initially. As the day progressed Friday, the revised path moved Ike toward the Florida Keys and the Gulf.  The models have consistently moved the projections for the system west since Thursday and the result is that the category 3 or 4 landfall in southeast Florida which had EOC officials most concerned Friday now appears less likely.

The models and their resulting forecast track could change. State meteorologist Ben Nelson said Friday he believes the 5 a.m. Sunday advisory and forecast tracks may tell the true story. If the path from this morning is pretty much in Sunday’s early advisory, Ike probably is heading into the Gulf and the south Florida mainland is spared.

FIC will be staffing the state Emergency Operations Center today. There is an important briefing at 8:30 a.m. for state agencies and key industry groups. It will include the latest weather intelligence from Nelson.

There also is a conference call with the counties at 9 a.m.

On Friday, plans were being made for evacuations to begin this afternoon in the Florida Keys and include mandatory evacuation of residents beginning Sunday. It is not clear now what Keys emergency management officials will do.

Extensive mandatory evacuations had also been in the planning stage for heavily populated southeast Florida. This too probably is on hold now.

Governor Charlie Crist is meeting with south Florida EM officials in Miami this morning.