For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
Contact: 202-282-8010
WASHINGTON – Secretary of Homeland Security John F. Kelly participated in a conference call briefing today with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Acting Administrator Bob Fenton, senior leadership, and Regional Administrators, where he was briefed on the severe weather, tornadoes, and flash flooding that is affecting much of the Midwest and central southern states. Secretary Kelly thanked FEMA personnel for their work and pledged the continued support of the department for the affected states.
FEMA, through its regional offices in Atlanta, Georgia; Chicago, Illinois; Denton, Texas; and Kansas City, Missouri, continues to monitor the effects of this severe weather. A FEMA liaison has been deployed to state emergency operations centers in Arkansas, Missouri, and Texas to help coordinate any requests for federal assistance. There are currently no unmet requests for assistance.
It is important for all residents in affected areas to follow the instructions of state, tribal, and local officials, and to monitor local radio or TV stations for updated emergency information. Individuals are urged to download and monitor the FEMA App or a NOAA Weather Radio and their local news for updates and to follow directions provided by their local officials. If roads are closed or there is water over a road, individuals should not drive through the water.
Participants in today’s call included FEMA Acting Administrator Bob Fenton, Regional Administrator for Region IV Gracia B. Szczech, Acting Regional Administrator for Region V Janet M. Odeshoo, Regional Administrator for Region VI Tony Robinson, Acting Regional Administrator for Region VII Kathy Fields, Chief of Operations of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Storm Prediction Center Bill Bunting, and NOAA Liaison to FEMA Daniel Porter.
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