Property Management Companies, Landlords - An Overview Of FEMAs Response To Irene

FEMA, through our regional offices in Boston, MA, Philadelphia, PA, New York City, NY, Atlanta, GA, and our Caribbean Area Office in Puerto Rico, have been in close contact and coordination with the states and territories that have been affected, and states that will be impacted. Over the past several days, President Obama has declared a major disaster declaration for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and emergency declarations for North Carolina, Maryland, District of Columbia, Virginia, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island and New Hampshire, making available federal resources to support response efforts.

Prior to Hurricane/Tropical Storm Irene's making landfall on the East Coast yesterday, FEMA deployed teams and resources along the East Coast from South Carolina to Maine.  In advance of Irene moving through the territories earlier this week, FEMA deployed teams to both Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to coordinate directly with local officials on the ground.  At the direction of President Obama and DHS Secretary Napolitano, FEMA continues to work with our federal, state, territorial, tribal and local partners, as well as voluntary organizations, the private sector, and others to aggressively prepare for Hurricane/Tropical Storm Irene.  The following timeline provides an overview of these and other federal activities, to date, to support these territories, states, families and communities.

Sunday, August 28

The President convened a video teleconference in the White House Situation Room regarding the impact of Hurricane Irene. Vice President Biden, Chief of Staff Daley, DHS Secretary Napolitano, Treasury Secretary Geithner, Transportation Secretary LaHood, Energy Secretary Chu, FEMA Administrator Fugate, Homeland Security Advisor Brennan and other senior White House officials participated in the call. Secretary Napolitano and Administrator Fugate were asked to continue to be in touch with governors and local leaders along the East Coast. President Obama signs a pre-disaster emergency declaration for the District of Columbia due to Hurricane Irene making available federal support to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety throughout the District. President Obama signs a pre-disaster emergency declaration for the State of Delaware due to Hurricane Irene making available federal support to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety for the entire state.

States, localities and the Red Cross have been operating more than 500 shelters in eight states and Puerto Rico. The Red Cross is prepared to open additional shelters as needed. Last night’s shelter population was estimated at more than 29,000. Information about open Red Cross shelters is available at redcross.org and will continue to be updated. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' (USACE) Temporary Emergency Power mission continues as power teams have been deployed to Incident Support Bases (ISBs) in Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Carolina and Maryland.  Power teams consist of planning and response teams, the 249th Prime Power battalion and designated resource support staff.

Thousands of Red Cross disaster workers are in place to help people along the East Coast once conditions are safe. Volunteers from partner organizations like Americorps National Civilian Community Corps and Southern Baptist Convention are positioned alongside Red Cross workers in many areas. Relief operations have been launched in more than a dozen coastal states. More than 200 feeding vehicles are positioned. Tens of thousands of prepackaged meals are moving into the area and the Red Cross is working with volunteer organizations and federal partners to ensure that kitchens are positioned in numerous locations after the storm moves through.

The Department of Energy’s Response Center has been activated, providing real-time monitoring on power outages and other energy-related aspects of the storm. The Department provides the public with reports on the critical energy infrastructure impacted by the storm, as well as outage and restoration data.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) staff are in close contact with state and local environmental responders and are prepared to provide technical support as needed.Verizon has a private sector liaison at the National Response Coordination Center. This individual communicates and coordinates with private sector partners that could be impacted, or have already been impacted, by this storm, ensuring they have the support needed to respond and recover.

The private energy sector has been taking actions such as bringing in additional crews, preparing equipment for emergency restoration work, keeping utility contractors on call and ensuring that additional supplies, such as poles and pole-top equipment, are on hand to respond and restore service as quickly as possible.The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is assessing the status of nuclear power plants. Commission officials are in close coordination with state emergency operations centers.  The U.S. Department of Agriculture urges the public to be aware of pet and livestock safety tips during power outages, flooding and evacuations.

Saturday, August 27

President Obama received the latest updates on the storm during a conference call with DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano, FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate and other senior members of his emergency management team. Secretary Napolitano and Administrator Fugate briefed the President on the intensity of the storm, the anticipated track of the storm and the response and recovery assets that have been pre-deployed along the east coast.

The President asked the team that he be updated, as necessary, throughout the day and overnight.President Obama visited the FEMA National Response Coordination Center to join DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano, FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate and representatives of response agencies for a briefing from states already affected or anticipated to be in the path of the hurricane.

President Obama signed a pre-disaster emergency declaration for the State of Maryland due to Hurricane Irene making available federal support to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety in six counties and one city. The emergency declaration covers Baltimore, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne's, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico and Worcester counties and Baltimore City. President Obama signed a pre-disaster emergency declaration for the State of New Hampshire due to Hurricane Irene making available federal support to save lives and to protect property and public   health and safety for the entire state.

President Obama signed a pre-disaster emergency declaration for the State of Rhode Island due to Hurricane Irene making available federal support to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety for the entire state. President Obama signed a pre-disaster emergency declaration for the State of New Jersey due to Hurricane Irene making available federal support to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety for the entire state.

President Obama signed a pre-disaster emergency declaration for the State of Connecticut due to Hurricane Irene making available federal support to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety for the entire state. States, localities and the Red Cross have opened more than 150 shelters in eight states as local evacuation orders went into effect. The Red Cross is prepared to open more shelters. Last night, the shelter population was estimated at more than 13,000. More information about open Red Cross shelters is available at redcross.org and will continue to be updated as more shelters open. The Red Cross has staged hundreds of personnel, vehicles and other resources from across the nation in all the states along the path of Hurricane Irene on the East Coast. They will assist states and communities with mass care, feeding and other response needs.

FEMA disability integration specialists are positioned in North Carolina, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, New York, and Boston to ensure that the needs of people with disabilities are fully considered when addressing the needs of the whole community.  The U.S. Department of Defense has positioned defense coordinating officers at FEMA's national response coordination center in Washington D.C., and in FEMA regional response coordination centers in Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, and Atlanta to support and coordinate any requests for defense assets and personnel.

Governors have activated 1,200 National Guard personnel in seven states (Fla., Conn., N.C., N.H., P.R., R.I. and Va.) to assist states with response efforts. In those states already being affected by the hurricane, National Guard forces are performing cleanup, communication, and search and rescue missions. The National Guard Bureau's Crisis Management Element has been activated. There are more than 83,000 National Guard personnel available in affected states to assist in hurricane relief efforts.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) urges consumers to be especially careful during a loss of electrical power, as the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and fire increases at that time. The CPSC and U.S. Fire Administration warn consumers NEVER to use portable generators indoors or in garages, basements or sheds. The exhaust from generators contains high levels of carbon monoxide that can quickly incapacitate and kill.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) activated the public health radio network which provides CDC, state, territorial, and local health departments with non-infrastructure dependent redundant communications capability - a back up method of communication when all else fails.U.S. Postal Service (USPS) advised customers that normal service operations in the path of the storm may be affected in the event of unsafe conditions such as high winds, flooding or impassable roads.  Depending on local conditions, some post offices may temporarily close their lobbies as Hurricane Irene makes landfall.  If roads become impassable or unsafe for travel, mail delivery services may be curtailed, and mail collection schedules from mail collection boxes could be suspended.

FEMA has proactively positioned a total of 18 Incident Management Assistance Teams along the coast to coordinate with state, tribal and local officials to identify needs and shortfalls affecting potential disaster response and recovery. Six national urban search and rescue teams, comprised of more than 500 personnel, have been placed on alert in the event that search and rescue support is needed.  The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has deployed a total of five Disaster Medical Assistance Teams to staging areas.Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities along the United States' eastern seaboard have completed preparatory actions in advance of Hurricane Irene.

FEMA has proactively positioned a total of 18 Incident Management Assistance Teams along the coast to coordinate with state, tribal and local officials to identify needs and shortfalls affecting potential disaster response and recovery. Six national urban search and rescue teams, comprised of more than 500 personnel, have been placed on alert in the event that search and rescue support is needed.  The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has deployed a total of five Disaster Medical Assistance Teams to staging areas.

President Obama signed a major disaster declaration for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico as a result of Hurricane Irene. The President’s action makes Individual Assistance available to those affected by the hurricane in the municipalities of Caguas, Canóvanas, Carolina, Cayey, Loíza, Luquillo, and San Juan.  Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster. In addition, Public Assistance was authorized for 14 municipalities, including Aguas Buenas, Carolina, Cayey, Ceiba, Comerío, Juncos, Las Marías, Luquillo, Morovis, Naguabo, Orocovis, Utuado, Vega Baja, and Villalba.

Friday, August 26       

President Obama signed an emergency declaration for the State of New York due to Hurricane Irene, making federal assistance available to save lives and protect property and public health and safety in seven counties. This assistance is for Bronx, Kings, New York, Queens, Richmond, Nassau, and Suffolk counties.

President Obama signs a pre-disaster emergency declaration for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for Hurricane Irene making available federal support to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety for the entire Commonwealth.

President Obama signed a pre-disaster emergency declaration for the Commonwealth of Virginia for Hurricane Irene making available federal support to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety for 11 counties and 9 cities.  (Accomack, Northampton, Isle of Wight, James City, Lancaster, Mathews, Middlesex, Northumberland, Richmond, Westmoreland, and New Kent and the independent cities of Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Poquoson, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Virginia Beach, and Williamsburg).Department of Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano and FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate briefed the President on ongoing activities in response to Hurricane Irene, including FEMA's support for territorial response activities in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, as well as FEMA's coordination of preparation efforts with the governors of potentially impacted states.

President Obama released a statement on the preparations for Hurricane Irene.President Obama, Security Napolitano and Administrator Fugate held a teleconference with mayors of the East Coast's biggest cities to discuss the latest hurricane preparations and developments. They also asked the mayors if they anticipated any areas that would require additional support.Administrator Fugate and National Hurricane Center Director Bill Read held a conference call with state, tribal and local officials to discuss response operations, the latest storm developments and preparations.States, localities and the Red Cross are opening up emergency shelters along the East Coast up through New England as local officials announce evacuations along the coast and low-lying areas.

The Red Cross is providing shelter information for residents who need to know where they can go. The Department of Health and Human Services has deployed three Disaster Medical Assistance Teams to staging areas. A Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT) is comprised of medical professionals such as doctors, nurses, paramedics and pharmacists who are specially trained to provide emergency health and medical support to medical facilities such as hospitals and health centers. 

In advance preparation for the hurricane, FEMA Incident Management Assistance Teams are staged in South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, New York, Massachusetts, and Vermont, and are en route to the District of Columbia, Connecticut, Delaware and Rhode Island. They will coordinate with state, tribal and local officials to identify needs and shortfalls impacting potential disaster response and recovery.  U.S. Coast Guard reports heightened state of readiness for various ports along the East Coast.

FEMA community relations teams are being staged to support states along the East Coast.  These teams, if needed, help inform disaster survivors about available services and resources.   The FDA reminds consumers to take precautions for storing water and ensuring the safety of their food and medical supplies for themselves and their pets during and after this week's expected hurricane-related rain, possible flooding and power outages.  The Small Business Administration urges business owners to prepare, in advance of the hurricane, and encourages everyone in the affected communities to listen to local public officials.  If they say to close up shop or evacuate, don't hesitate.The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is assessing nuclear power plant preparations, and NRC officials are in close coordination with state emergency operations centers.

FEMA Deputy Administrator Serino and National Hurricane Center Director Read held a conference call with congressional stakeholders to discuss response operations, the latest storm developments and preparations. Property management companies and landlords FEMA is determined to be prepared for disasters and protect human life.

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