Agency and Federal Partners Urging Residents in Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands to Take Steps to Prepare
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA), through its Caribbean Area Office in Puerto Rico, is
closely monitoring Tropical Storm Isaac and is in close coordination with
emergency management officials in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The National Weather Service has issued a
hurricane watch and tropical storm warning for both Puerto Rico and the U.S.
Virgin Islands. FEMA and its federal partners urge residents of the
commonwealth and territory to closely monitor the storm and to follow the
direction of local officials as potential severe weather approaches.
In advance of the storm, FEMA proactively
deployed Incident Management Assistance Teams to Puerto Rico and the U.S.
Virgin Islands to coordinate with commonwealth/territory and local officials,
should additional support be requested, or needed.
Additionally, FEMA has liaisons in Puerto Rico
and the U.S. Virgin Islands emergency operations centers, to further strengthen
coordination.
These assets supplement federal resources and
personnel that are staged, year-round, at FEMA's Caribbean Area Office and
Caribbean Area Distribution Center located in Puerto Rico.
Other teams have been identified and will be
mobilized as needed and requested.
"FEMA, along with the entire federal
family, is closely monitoring Tropical Storm Isaac and coordinating with our
commonwealth and territorial partners that could potentially be affected by
this storm. We strongly encourage residents to listen to the instructions
of their local officials," said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate.
"For residents in Puerto Rico and the U.S.
Virgin Islands who may be affected by this storm as early as Thursday, in some
areas, it's critical that you take this storm seriously and take steps now to
prepare your families, homes and businesses. Visit http://www.ready.gov/or http://www.ready.gov/translations/spanish/
to learn how.”
FEMA encourages everyone, regardless of whether
they live in a hurricane-prone area, to take steps to ensure their family,
homes and businesses are prepared for a possible emergency.
Important items to have ready in case of an
emergency include a battery-powered radio (like a NOAA Weather Radio),
flashlight, extra batteries, medicines, non-perishable food, hand-operated can
opener, utility knife and first aid supplies.
Important documents, such as medical records,
contracts, property deeds, leases, banking records, insurance records and birth
certificates should be copied and kept in a safe place.
As is always the case, local officials make
decisions on issuing evacuation orders, so FEMA advises residents to remember
to listen to the direction of their local officials, and to learn where
evacuation routes and sheltering locations are located, in case evacuation
orders are given.
At this time, it is still too early to know
whether the storm could pose an immediate threat to the U.S. Coast.
History shows that storm tracks can change
quickly and unexpectedly, so FEMA encourages coastal residents to monitor
weather conditions, follow the direction of local officials, and visit http://www.ready.gov/to learn about a few
simple steps they can take now to be prepared.
