For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
Contact: 202-282-8010
WASHINGTON – Today, Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Elaine Duke traveled to Marathon and Miami, Florida to observe Hurricane Irma response and recovery efforts.
In Marathon, the Acting Secretary, along with Governor Scott and Red Cross President and CEO Gail McGovern, toured a Red Cross shelter at Marathon High School. They met with first responders, Red Cross employees and volunteers, and distributed food, water and ice to survivors of Hurricane Irma.
Acting Secretary Duke and Gov. Scott then traveled to the Monroe County Marathon Government Center where they discussed hurricane recovery challenges with Monroe County mayors and county executives. The Acting Secretary toured the Emergency Operations Center and spoke with FEMA employees, including surge capacity force members.
Acting Secretary Duke took an aerial tour of the Lower Keys in a U.S. Customs and Border Protection helicopter to assess the damages and saw firsthand the damage Hurricane Irma caused to homes and vital infrastructure in the Lower Keys. Shannon Weiner, Acting Incident Commander, Monroe County Emergency Management led the aerial tour.
Acting Secretary Duke then traveled to Miami where she met with Carlos Gimenez, the Mayor of Miami-Dade County. They discussed ongoing response and recovery efforts due to the devastation from Hurricane Irma.
Thousands of federal workers are supporting preparedness, response, and recovery, including more than 3,200 FEMA staff, and more than 13,000 National Guard soldiers and airmen from 22 states, in conducting rescue, evacuation, security and support operations.
The federal government continues to support Hurricane Harvey response and recovery efforts underway in Texas and Louisiana along with those impacted by Hurricanes Irma and Maria.
The Department of Homeland Security’s top priority is to protect the American people from harm – this includes from natural disasters. Registering online, at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, is the quickest way for those affected to register for federal aid.
Acting Secretary Elaine Duke, along with Governor Rick Scott and Red Cross President and CEO Gail McGovern, tour a Red Cross shelter at Marathon High School. (DHS Official Photo/ Barry Bahler)
# # #