FEMA prepared to help with food, supplies
President Barack Obama, second from right, receives an update on the status of Hurricane Irene as it moves up the Eastern Saeboard at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) headquarters in Washington. (Aug. 27, 2011) Credit: AP
Enough food and water for hundreds of thousands of people is sitting at McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey, poised to be trucked across the metro area -- including Long Island and New York City, said Stephen M. DeBlasio Sr., the leader of the four-person FEMA contingent sent to Suffolk County.
That includes "self-heating emergency meals" and even kosher meals. There are also 2-liter bottles of water.
In addition, FEMA will have more than 50 generators for critical infrastructure like water treatment plants, installation equipment and materials just for Long Island being staged at Republic Airport in Farmingdale. Tens of thousands of tarps are also at Republic.
"It's a huge number," DeBlasio said.
"We don't have any specific needs right now," he said on the eve of Irene. "We're just pre-positioning in case of any potential requirements. If they don't need them, that's fine. That's the cost of doing business... we just don't want to be caught having it take too long to respond, and then you don't accomplish the mission."
The food, the water, the tarps and the generators will be turned over to the localities to be distributed.
Father sentenced in child beating case ... Man pleads not guilty to killing wife ... Wantagh drug bust ... Power bills may increase
Father sentenced in child beating case ... Man pleads not guilty to killing wife ... Wantagh drug bust ... Power bills may increase
