Norton Holds Field Hearing on FEMA Preparedness for 2009 Hurricane Season (4/30/09)

Norton Holds Field Hearing on FEMA Preparedness for 2009 Hurricane Season

April 30, 2009

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), chair, Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management, will hold a field hearing tomorrow, May, 1, on hurricane season preparedness in time for the upcoming hurricane season, which runs June - November. The hearing, examining readiness by the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA), as well as state and local officials, the Red Cross and other volunteer organizations, will be held in Miami, Fl., at the James L. King Justice Building, beginning at 10 a.m. Norton also hopes to learn how D.C., which has had its share of storms, including Tropical Storm Hanna last year, can benefit from Florida's experience and preparedness efforts.

"Florida is at greater risk from hurricanes than any other state and has much to teach the nation," Norton said. Since Hurricane Andrew struck in 1992, Florida has received 22 major disaster declarations and eight emergency declarations for hurricanes or tropical storms, a greater number of declarations than for any other state during the same time period. This hearing follows House passage this year of H.R. 1746, the subcommittee's bill that reauthorized the Pre-Disaster Mitigation program. The cost-saving pre-disaster mitigation program, which helps to prepare jurisdictions in advance to alleviate disaster effects, has been proven highly cost-effective. Norton said, "Our studies and hearings show that pre-disaster mitigation return three to four dollars for every dollar invested in the program." FEMA has spent, about $10 billion on Florida disasters and emergencies since Hurricane Andrew hit in 1992.

Norton said that Florida has taken many steps to improve in all areas of emergency management, and cited Florida's adoption of a state-wide building code. The requirements in Miami-Dade County are the most stringent, generally requiring buildings to withstand winds of 146 miles per hour. Schools and other facilities that could be used as shelters are required to withstand winds of 186 miles per hour.

District of Columbia officials last year prepared for Tropical Storm Hanna by activating its emergency operations center and dispatching trucks to distribute sandbags to residents who experience flooding during heavy rains to prepare and to mitigate damage. D.C. Homeland Security and Emergency Management urged residents to clear their gutters, drains, and downspouts.