FEMA Deploys Assets and Urges Residents to Be Prepared for Tropical Storm Chantal

WASHINGTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), through its Caribbean Area office in Puerto Rico and in coordination with the National Weather Service, continues to monitor Tropical Storm Chantal.
 
FEMA has proactively deployed liaisons to emergency operations centers in Puerto Rico, St. Croix and St. Thomas, to coordinate with local officials, should additional support be requested, or needed. A FEMA Incident Management Assistance Team (IMAT) has been deployed to the U.S. Virgin Islands, to assist with the coordination of planning and response operations. This team is in addition to the personnel and resources that are located year-round at FEMA’s Caribbean Area Office and Caribbean Area Distribution Center located in Puerto Rico.
 
According to the National Weather Service, a tropical warning is in effect for the coastal waters of Puerto Rico and a tropical watch has been issued for the U.S. Virgin Islands. A tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the next 36 hours somewhere within the specified areas. Tropical storms often bring strong winds, storm surge accompanied by dangerous waves, significant rainfall and the risk for flash flooding in many areas.
 
“Residents in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands should closely monitor the storm and take steps now to be as prepared as possible,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. “Stay away from flood waters, never drive through flooded roadways and follow the direction of commonwealth and territory officials.”
 
Residents or visitors in Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands:
 
Listen to the instructions of local officials. Local officials make decisions on sheltering in place or going to your pre-designated safe meeting location.
 
Have important supplies ready to sustain you and your family, if needed. This includes water, a battery-powered radio, flashlight, extra batteries, cell phone charger, medicines, non-perishable food, and first aid supplies.
 
Stay up-to-date with the latest forecast. Follow local radio and TV reports, as well as forecasts from the National Hurricane Center.
 
FEMA encourages the public to remain vigilant, to continue monitoring Tropical Storm Chantal and to use this opportunity to reassess their readiness for the 2013 hurricane season. For more information on preparing for hurricanes and other natural disasters, and what you can do to protect yourself and your family, visit www.Ready.gov or www.listo.gov on the Internet. Information regarding emergency preparedness and what to do before and after a disaster can also be found at m.fema.gov or by downloading the FEMA app from your smartphone’s app store.
 
FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.