As Tropical Storm Bonnie Approaches, FEMA Continues to Monitor Storm, Encourages Americans to Be Prepared

Visit Ready.gov to Learn Simple Steps You and Your Family Should Take

WASHINGTON - As Tropical Storm Bonnie moves toward the Gulf Coast, FEMA continues to monitor the storm and stands ready to support state, territory and local officials in the region and the Gulf Coast to ensure they have the resources to respond if needed.  FEMA also continues to urge everyone in the region to take steps now to ensure they are prepared for possible severe weather.  Anyone can visit www.ready.gov to learn how.

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has issued a tropical storm warning for the Florida east coast from Deerfield Beach southward including the entire Florida Keys and Florida Bay and along the west coast of Florida, northward to Englewood, also from Destin, Florida to Morgan City, Louisiana, including Lake Pontchartrain.  The NHC has also issued a tropical storm watch for the east coast of Florida, north of Deerfield Beach to Jupiter inlet and Lake Okeechobee.  A warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours.  A watch means that the conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours.

"We continue to monitor the storm and stay in close contact with state and local emergency management officials across the Gulf Coast to ensure they have the resources to respond if needed," said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate.  "Our priority, as always, is to make sure that we are supporting state and local efforts to keep their residents and communities safe. Tropical Storm Bonnie should serve as a reminder that if you have not taken the time to get your family ready for an emergency, now is the time.  Visit www.ready.gov to learn how."

FEMA has life-saving and life-sustaining commodities and supplies strategically located across the country to support states in their response. These supplies, including water, meals, tarps, blankets, generators and other essential items, can be replenished through the national logistics supply chain.  

In Florida and locations around the Gulf Coast alone, more than one million liters of water, 1.8 million meals, 70,000 rolls of plastic sheeting, 260,000 tarps, 250,000 blankets, 60,000 cots and 300 generators are available for use as needed.  FEMA has conducted resource support planning and preparations with all hurricane-prone states and territories for the current hurricane season to ensure a coordinated disaster response, if needed. 

The storm's tract is currently moving west-northwestward toward the Gulf of Mexico.  FEMA also remains in close contact with our federal partners at the National Hurricane Center and the U.S. Coast Guard.  The Unified Area Command will make any decisions regarding the movement of assets and workers involved with the BP Deepwater Horizon Operations.

The National Weather Service remains the source of official severe weather watches and warnings, including flash flooding which can take only a few minutes to develop in the case of heavy rains.  FEMA encourages all individuals in the region to listen to NOAA Weather Radio and their local news to monitor for severe weather updates, and to follow the directions provided by their local officials.


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