FEMA URGES RESIDENTS ALONG GULF COAST TO BE PREPARED AND MONITOR TROPICAL STORM DEBBY

News Release

FEMA URGES RESIDENTS ALONG GULF COAST TO BE PREPARED AND MONITOR TROPICAL STORM DEBBY

ATLANTA - FEMA's regional office in Atlanta, Ga. has been closely monitoring Tropical Storm Debby which is currently located in the Gulf of Mexico 105 miles south-southwest of Apalachicola Florida. On Sunday afternoon, FEMA deployed a liaison officer to the Florida Emergency Operations Center to help maintain the flow of information from the state to FEMA and report back any critical needs to regional leadership.

The National Hurricane Center has issued tropical storm watches and warnings for several areas along the Gulf Coast. Typically, with tropical systems these storms will produce high winds and heavy rains. The National Weather Service is predicting the storm may produce rain accumulations of 5 to 10 inches along the immediate Gulf Coast from southeast Louisiana to west central Florida, with isolated maximum amount of 15 inches possible.

"We urge all residents in the area to closely monitor this storm due to the uncertainty in the track and strength of the storm, and to listen to NOAA Weather Radio and their local news to get updates," said Phil May, FEMA Regional Administrator.

Individuals in coastal areas of the Southeast United States, especially in the Gulf Coast where tropical storm watches and warnings are in effect, should take steps now to prepare. Residents can find information to prepare their family, home or business to lessen the impact of severe weather by going to Ready.gov.

                                                                                                 
FEMA, working with our federal partners including the National Hurricane Center, will continue to monitor the strength and path of Debby and will remain in close contact with state and local partners as they prepare for potential severe weather.

FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

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