WASHINGTON – Storm preparations along the Gulf Coast are underway and leaders say the federal government shutdown won’t get in the way.
Tropical Storm Karen is expected to threaten the coast starting Saturday night, according to the National Weather Service , bringing rain and wind as far west as Grand Isle, La., and as far east as Destin, Fla.
Lt. Paul Rhynard of the U.S. Coast Guard said uniformed personnel have been reporting for work and civilian personnel have been exempted from furloughs if they have a direct connection to search and rescue missions, natural disasters and law enforcement.
“Those missions have not been affected by the shutdown,” Rhynard said.
According to a news release, the Federal Emergency Management Agency began recalling furloughed employees in preparation for the storm. The agency reactivated its Hurricane Liaison Team at the National Hurricane Center in Miami.
“We’ve been assured,” said Art Faulkner, director of Alabama’s emergency management agency, “that if there is landfall and we need [FEMA], that they are going to be here.”
Faulker said FEMA started authorizing department officials to act as liaisons between the agency and state officials, something that happens before every tropical system.
However, Faulker noted state and local authorities handle the initial response following a storm.
“The governor placed all of them on alert for a potential response,” Faulkner said. “I feel very confident that if this storm hits the state, our first responders can handle that.”
In Louisiana’s St. Bernard Parish, emergency management officials have been assessing their resources, looking to fill any gaps.
“Every disaster is a local disaster,” said John Rahaim, Jr., the parish’s deputy director of homeland security. “We take care of ourselves first before we go to the state and also the federal [governments].”
Sen. David Vitter, R-La., said he planned to meet with Col. Rick Hanson, commander of the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers in New Orleans, on Friday to make sure the agency has support from the federal government.
“I’ve been in touch with our local emergency responders and they are very prepared,” said Vitter in an emailed statement. “Louisiana citizens should know that the shutdown will not have an impact on the federal response.”