FEMA responds to severe Midwest weather

[June 09, 2008]  CHICAGO -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency Region V is working closely with the states in the Great Lakes region being affected by the severe storms and tornados passing over the area. Region V serves Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin.

Region V is monitoring the weather situation continuously. As the weather turns severe, FEMA operations and logistics teams begin to anticipate what may be needed and where it may be needed as FEMA liaisons coordinate closely with state emergency management personnel who are identifying their specific needs and making requests for assistance.

FEMA can bring the full complement of federal resources to aid the states, if needed. Response efforts continue to focus on assessing needs and coordinating with partners in state and federal governments, as well as with nongovernmental agencies, to meet the needs identified.

FEMA Region V response

The Regional Response Coordination Center in Chicago is activated to closely monitor the weather conditions 24/7 at a high level. The center is coordinating the responses for state and local requests through emergency support function personnel, including representatives from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Environmental Protection Agency, Health and Human Services, Coast Guard, and the Department of Defense, as well as communications and logistics personnel.

The Regional Response Coordination Center is maintaining open communications with all affected states, including the presence of FEMA state liaisons on-site at the Indiana Emergency Operations Center, Wisconsin Emergency Operations Center and Minnesota Emergency Operations Center.

Members of Region V’s Incident Management Assistance Team are deployed to southern Indiana. On Saturday, IMAT Operations Section Chief Eric Gentry joined local Emergency Management Director Jeff Neal and Indiana Office of Homeland Security District V Coordinator Bryan Wolfe in an aerial assessment of Morgan County.

Existing federal and state joint field offices are open in Indiana and Ohio, with FEMA staff already on-site.

Support from other agencies

• U.S. Coast Guard -- Two U.S. Coast Guard rescue air assets coordinated with the state of Indiana on overflights of affected areas around Evansville, Ind. The Indiana Task Force One Disaster Medical Assistance Team coordinated with the Coast Guard for rescue assets.

• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers -- A representative of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been deployed to the Indiana Emergency Operations Center at the request of the state.

• American Red Cross -- Ten shelters are currently open in eight counties; occupancy is not available at this time.

• Environmental Protection Agency -- The Environmental Protection Agency is assisting the Indiana Department of Environmental Management on hazardous materials releases related to the flooding.

• Health and Human Services -- The Department of Health and Human Services is coordinating with affected states' health departments and continues to monitor the situation.

• Department of Defense -- Forty-eight Marines were sent to assist with the evacuation of Columbus Regional Hospital in Bartholomew County.

• Indiana National Guard Bureau -- Fifty National Guardsmen are joining 50 Indiana state troopers in assisting with the evacuation in Bartholomew County.

FEMA cautions individuals to be prepared and to listen to weather forecasts and local and state officials. The strong storm system that was responsible for hundreds of reports of severe weather will continue to move through the Midwest.

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 terrorism.

[Text from file received from FEMA Region V]