Federal Response Continues for States Impacted by Recent Storms and Tornadoes

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February 11, 2008 -- The Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will continue to support the states impacted by the severe storms and tornadoes.

FEMA is closely working with its state and local partners to assess damage and identify needs. Specialists from the agency are on site to support the response efforts already underway. Regional activities are as follow:

Tennessee
Status

* 1 shelters; 11 people (TN EMA/Region IV – 02/10/08 – 4:30 p.m. EST)
* 146 TN National Guardsmen supporting recovery operations (NGB JOC – 2/11/08 – 2:00 a.m.)

Federal Response

* Major Disaster Declaration approved by President on February 8, 2008
* Public and Individual Assistance approved for five counties
* Hardin, Macon, Madison, Shelby, and Sumner Counties
* Individual Assistance (IA) Joint Preliminary Damage Assessments (PDAs) began 02/08/08 for Shelby, Fayette, Tipton and Madison Counties
* Region IV Emergency Response Team (ERT)-A in TN
* Mobile Emergency Response System (MERS) communications operational at TN Emergency Operations Center (EOC).
* 5 Mobile Disaster Recovery Centers (MDRCs) deployed to TN

Arkansas
Status

* Zero shelters reported. (FEMA Region VI – 02/10/08 – 12:00 p.m. EST)
* Estimated 200,000 cubic yards of debris

Federal Response

* Major Disaster Declaration was approved by the President on February 8, 2008
* Public Assistance (Categories A and B), approved for 10 counties and Individual Assistance for 5 counties
* PDAs Field work completed Friday, 02/08/08; IA PDAs completed 02/09/08
* 75 AR National Guardsmen supporting recovery operations (NGB JOC – 2/11/08 – 2:00 a.m.)
* Four Mobile Disaster Recovery Centers (MDRCs) and 13 Emergency Response Vehicles (ERVs) deployed to Arkansas (FEMA Region VI – 02/09/08 – 1:50 p.m. EST)
* Two FEMA state liaisons remain at Arkansas State EOC

Alabama
Status

* A Major Disaster Declaration has been requested
* State has requested Individual Assistance and Public Assistance for 4 counties

Federal Response

* State EOC is at full activation, supported by the following FEMA Emergency Support Functions (ESFs): Emergency Management (5), Mass Care, Housing, and Human Services (6), Oil and Hazards Materials Response (10), and Public Safety and Security (13).
* Joint IA PDAs have been conducted in Jackson, Lawrence, Fayette and Walker counties

Kentucky
Status

* The Governor has requested IA for the following counties: Allen, Christian, Fayette, Hardin, Hart, Meade, Mercer, Monroe, Muhlenberg.
* State of Emergency declared by Governor for six counties.

Federal Response

* 86 KY National Guardsmen supporting recovery operations until 02/13/08 (NGB JOC – 2/10/08 – 2:00 a.m. EST)
* PDA’s were requested by the State for eight counties, and began on 02/09/08 and were completed 02/10/08. A request to add an additional county, Fayette, has been made, making a total of nine counties.

At this time, FEMA Region V is monitoring the levee incident in Vigo County, Indiana, primarily affecting the township of Prairieton. The Region will continue to work with the state and local partners to assess damage and identify needs.

For more information on recently declared federal declarations, please visit www.fema.gov/assistance/forme.shtm.