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Making Preparations Prior to the Impacts of Hurricane Earl

September 2, 2010 at 2:15 PM ET by Nikki Sutton

Summary:

FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate urges families to prepare for Hurricane Earl and briefs President Obama on preparations for potential impacts on the East Coast.

President Obama spoke with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate this afternoon and yesterday morning to ensure we are doing everything in our power to keep people safe in advance of Hurricane Earl along the eastern seaboard. The President will continue to monitor the situation as FEMA tracks the storm's movement in conjunction with the National Hurricane Center.

President Barack Obama talks on the phone with FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate

President Barack Obama talks on the phone with Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Craig Fugate about preparations for Hurricane Earl during a call in the Oval Office. Listening at right is Richard A. Reed, Special Assistant to the President for Homeland Security. September 1, 2010. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Late last night, President Obama signed a pre-landfall Disaster Declaration for North Carolina, ensuring the availability of federal aid to assist state and local authorities. Local officials in the Outer Banks of North Carolina began issuing evacuation orders on Wednesday, and we encourage everyone living on or visiting the East Coast to monitor and follow any evacuation orders made by their local officials. FEMA has deployed teams to North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine to support storm preparations as well as response and recovery efforts as needed. FEMA has also prepositioned commodities for rapid delivery, including water, meals, tarps, blankets, generators and other essential items.

As federal, state, and local agencies work together to prepare, Administrator Fugate reminds those in potentially affected areas what they can do to get ready for Hurricane Earl:

If you live on the East Coast, now is the time to take the necessary steps to prepare for the storm. Visit Ready.gov for important information on putting together an emergency supply kit, making a plan with your family, and staying informed as new information becomes available.