ON THE EVE OF KATRINA

Governor Haley Barbour has issues a state of emergency for Mississippi.  Hopefully the price of gasoline won't rise too high.

Three years ago I was preparing for KATRINA, and now I am preparing for Gustav. How much more can Mississippi and Louisiana handle.  It is going to be a long holiday weekend...

New Orleans will start evacuating today from what I understand.

Some Mississippi National Guard Units will be arriving at Camp Shelby on Saturday to prepare for Gustav.

Federal Government Steps Up Preparations For Gustav

Release Date: August 27, 2008

Release Number: HQ-08-169

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is coordinating plans and preparatory activities of numerous federal agencies in close communication with state, tribal and local officials as Tropical Storm Gustav threatens to return to hurricane strength prior to impacting Gulf Coast states. All residents in the region are encouraged to make personal preparations. Information is available at www.Ready.gov on how families and individuals can best prepare before the storm.

FEMA and its federal partners are in close communications with states along its potential path in order to review plans, pre-station assets and personnel, and respond to any request for assistance. FEMA's work with states using a Gap Analysis tool to determine in advance of storms where federal assistance is most likely to be needed has helped federal and state agencies to develop pre-scripted mission assignments and other contingency plans to help improve response and recovery efforts.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

FEMA has brought its National Response Coordination Center and its Regional Response Coordination Centers to heightened states of readiness.

FEMA's pre-positioned supplies available for distribution in Gulf Coast states include:

More than 2.4 million liters of water (137 truckloads).

More than 4 million meals (203 truckloads).

478 emergency generators.

141 truckloads of tarps.

267 truckloads of blankets and cots.

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

HHS has placed nine Disaster Medical Assistance Teams, 11 Health Strike Teams and two Incident Command Teams on alert.

Placed nine Federal Medical Stations, each with a 250-bed capacity, on alert.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)

USACE has Planning, Power, Roofing, and Debris Removal Teams on alert.

USACE's Water and Ice Team is ready to deploy to provide these commodities as needed.

U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)

DOT is monitoring traffic patterns relating to potential evacuations.

DOT is working with states to review evacuation plans and to test needed equipment.

DOT, through the Federal Aviation Administration and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, is working with states, airports, airlines and bus companies to insure any needed evacuations are executed without delay.

U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

TSA has its Advance and Forward Teams ready to deploy to insure that airports are able to facilitate any needed evacuations.

TSA is working with airports to review and be prepared to implement emergency plans.

National Guard Bureau (NGB)

NGB has its Joint Enabling Team on standby for deployment.

NGB is assessing resources in states outside the region for potential deployment.

The American Red Cross (ARC)

ARC has 4 Leadership Alert Teams ready to deploy to impacted states.

ARC is reviewing available personnel and supply needs and preparing them for immediate deployment to impacted states.

Pre-positioned 19 emergency response vehicles to pre-designated headquarters in Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana and has 196 additional vehicles on standby nationwide.

Placed Disaster Field Supply Centers on standby and deployed shelter and kitchen trailers to Alabama, Mississippi and Texas.

The U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, U.S. Coast Guard, Customs and Border Protection and the National Infrastructure Coordination Center all report a heightened state of awareness and updated planning activities to facilitate an efficient response.

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.