FEMA Administrator Warns of Imminent Action as Hurricane Earl Nears the East Coast

Strategic Insights -

As Hurricane Earl threatens the East Coast with powerful winds and pounding rains, FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate has urged residents and visitors to prepare for immediate action, emphasizing that the time for preparing is over and now is the time for action. A mandatory evacuation order has been issued for Dare County, North Carolina, and President Obama has declared an emergency to support the response efforts.

Key Takeaways:

  • A mandatory evacuation order is in effect for everyone visiting Dare County, North Carolina, due to Hurricane Earl's threat.
  • FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate advises residents and visitors to have a plan and heed evacuation orders or protective measures from local officials.
  • FEMA has teams ready to support states from North Carolina to Maine, regardless of which areas are impacted by the storm.
  • The lesson of Hurricane Katrina is that preparation is crucial, and waiting for a declaration of a state of emergency is not an option.
  • For those not familiar with hurricane evacuations, Fugate advises finding out what the community plan is, checking evacuation zones, and knowing where to go if ordered to evacuate.
  • Tourists and visitors in vulnerable areas are being asked to leave immediately, while residents should take steps to prepare for possible additional evacuations.

Statistics:

  • Hurricane Earl is expected to impact the entire East Coast, with hurricane-force winds potentially stretching from New Jersey to Maine.
  • FEMA has teams and supplies ready to support the response in the affected areas, from North Carolina to Maine.
  • President Obama has declared an emergency to support the response efforts in North Carolina, following a request from Governor Perdue.
  • The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is preparing for a worse-case scenario, with Administrator Craig Fugate stating that "the time of preparing is over. Time of action is now."

Sources:

  • "CNN "American Morning" Interview with Craig Fugate, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
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