Letter to The Honorable W. Craig Fugate, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency

Letter

Letter to The Honorable W. Craig Fugate, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency

Sen. Cornyn Takes Action To Help Prepare Texas For 2009 Hurricane Season
Sends letter to FEMA & hosts Coastal County Judges for conversation on hurricane preparedness

U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, today sent a letter to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate about efforts to strengthen and better prepare Texas for a potential hurricane or tropical storm this year while also ensuring that the state continues to receive the federal assistance required to make a full recovery from last year's season. Sen. Cornyn's letter follows up on a conference call he hosted with Texas' county judges from the Texas Gulf Coast, South Texas and the Valley to discuss hurricane preparedness in the region. Hurricane season began on June 1, and Sen. Cornyn is working to ensure each county is taking proper precautionary measures and is aware of federal resources that are available. The county judges provided an update to the Senator and offered suggestions on steps that can be taken to strengthen preparedness.

"With the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicting anywhere between 9 and 14 named storms, I wanted to reach out to FEMA and speak with county judges along our coast about preparations for the 2009 hurricane season. Many are still recovering from last year's storms, and it's critical they receive additional assistance to complete their recovery. It's also important we look ahead to this season and take proactive measures to ensure residents, businesses and communities are properly prepared in the event a major storm hits Texas this season," Sen. Cornyn said.

"County judges are on the front lines when devastating storms, like Hurricanes Ike and Dolly, hit our state. We need strong partnerships between federal, state, and local governments as well as the private sector and voluntary agencies, which are all critical to our ability to respond to and recover from hurricanes. I stand ready to work with coastal judges, local officials and other first responders closely if a major storm should hit Texas and will work with FEMA and other federal agencies to ensure everyone receives the necessary resources to recover."

Joining Sen. Cornyn for the call were: Judge Michael "Mike" Pheifer, Calhoun County; Judge Jimmy Sylvia, Chambers County; Judge Ron Walker, Jefferson County; Judge Carl Thibodeaux, Orange County; Judge Pete de la Garza, Kleberg County; Judge Carlos Cascos, Cameron County; Judge Rene Mascorro, Refugio County; Judge Burt Mills, Aransas County; Judge J.A. Garcia, Kenedy County; Judge Donald Pozzi, Victoria County; Judge Harrison Stafford II, Jackson County; Judge James Yarbrough, Galveston County.

Sen. Cornyn recently recorded a message, available on his website, that discusses preparations everyone in Texas should be aware of in the event of a hurricane or severe storm.

The full text of Sen. Cornyn's letter is below.

The Honorable W. Craig Fugate
Administrator
Federal Emergency Management Agency
500 C Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20472

Dear Administrator Fugate:

Congratulations on your recent appointment as Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). With the beginning of the 2009 Hurricane season, I wanted to take this opportunity to share with you my commitment to working with both you and FEMA on fortifying Texas against a potential hurricane or tropical storm this year while also ensuring that the state continues to receive the federal assistance required to make a full recovery from last year's devastating storm season.

I appreciate your stated commitment to improving partnerships and intergovernmental coordination between FEMA Regional Offices, Federal Coordinating Officers, states, local governments, and the private and non-profit sectors and your desire to more fully empower FEMA Regional Offices and Federal Coordinating Officers to achieve a more effective and seamless response. Synchronization of efforts and allowing more decisions to be made by agency officials at the state and local level will be vital considering that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's 2009 Atlantic Hurricane Season Forecast calls for between 9 and 14 named storms this year with 4 to 7 of them being hurricanes.

With that in mind, it has been brought to my attention that there is a need for enhanced coordination regarding the evacuation of individuals with special needs. As you know, FEMA is tasked with coordinating and conducting this effort, in partnership with other federal agencies, via the National Disaster Medical System for hospital patients, but the agency is not required to coordinate evacuations from nursing homes and other facilities that have individuals with virtually identical conditions. I would ask that you work with state and local officials to make sure that a contingency plan is in place to conduct an evacuation from a nursing home or similar facility, if state and local officials do not have the resources or capability to do so. Additionally, I would ask that you work with non-profit organizations like the American Red Cross to ensure that shelters are established with the means to take in patients with special needs.

Additionally, it is imperative that more federal funding be committed to the hardening of shelters and other multi-purpose facilities and infrastructure used for mass evacuations. States and localities expend significant dollars and resources each time a storm threatens them. Having the capability to shelter evacuees near their homes lessens the trauma of the event on those in harms way, saves tax payer dollars, and reduces traffic congestion thus freeing up roads and vehicles for first responders and other emergency personnel.

Finally, while it is necessary that we direct our attention to this year's storm season, we must not lose focus on the challenges to rebuilding and recovery that remain from Hurricanes Ike and Dolly. Counties along the Texas Gulf Coast are still removing debris left by the damaging winds and storm surge of Hurricane Ike. For example, the cost-share amount to remove remaining debris in some areas is a large part of or greater than the county's annual operating budget. It is paramount that this financial burden be eased with continued federal assistance.

I appreciate your efforts to address the issues raised in this correspondence. I look forward to working with you and FEMA to strengthen preparation and recovery procedures in the months ahead. Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of assistance. By working together, we can save lives and reduce the destruction and misery left by future storms.

Sincerely,

JOHN CORNYN
United States Senator

Source