Federal Assistance for Floods Sweeps Across Midwest

March 25, 2008, WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The federal government's response to the Midwest flooding was immediate and sweeping in scope, allowing critical resources, assets and personnel to flow into communities threatened by rising floodwaters from the Ohio River to the Lower Mississippi. The Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), through strong state partnerships and close communications with local emergency management officials, was quick to offer assistance where needed and coordinate with other federal department and agencies in support of state and local efforts. As flooding continues to impact communities, FEMA stands ready to continue supporting states as needed.

FEMA moved forward to anticipate the needs of affected states by positioning federal resources and identifying response personnel well in advance of declaration requests and even before calls to support to state and local preliminary damage assessments teams (PDAs) were received.

Key actions by FEMA and other federal agencies in response to flooding were:

* The President issued a major disaster declaration on March 19, within hours of receiving the governor's request, approving direct federal assistance to support emergency needs for the flooding in southern Missouri.
* FEMA has received Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe's request for an expedited major disaster declaration. The Governor's request is currently under review.
* FEMA deployed a Federal Incident Response Support Team (FIRST –Chicago) to Missouri to support state and local response operations. The FIRST-Chicago was joined by a FIRST team mobile command and control vehicle on Saturday, March 22, 2008.
* Regional Response Coordination Centers (RRCC) in Illinois, Texas and Missouri were activated to support local state Emergency Operation Centers.
* FEMA deployed state liaison officers to Illinois, Indiana, Arkansas, Texas, and Missouri.
* PDAs are currently underway in Arkansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma.
* A Transportation Security Administration liaison to the Denton, Texas RRCC has been providing situational awareness on transportation security and potential evacuation efforts in Arkansas.

Other federal agency support to Midwest floods:

Missouri

* Acting in response to the President's disaster declaration, liaisons for the Department of Defense, American Red Cross, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) are assisting in the RRCC. The U.S. Department of Transportation is working with their state counterparts providing information on federal/state/local road closures.
* The USACE has deployed three (3) flood fighting teams who are providing engineering and technical expertise to levee districts and communities impacted by rising levels. The USACE have provided 300,000 sandbags and 150 rolls of plastic sheeting to state and local governmental entities.
* Environmental Protection Agency continues to provide assistance regarding debris and hazard material collection and disposals.
* The U.S. Coast Guard rescued 52 persons and 15 pets from the flood waters and is providing back-up helicopter support in Missouri.
* FEMA staff is on the ground working closely with its partners at the Unified Command Joint Field Office (JFO) and in the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC).

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.

Source: FEMA

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