Alabama – FEMA RESOURCES
To register for disaster assistance, call FEMA's toll-free
teleregistration line: 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585
(hearing/speech impaired). This line is open 24 hours a day, and
residents are encouraged to try calling late in the evening or early in
the morning to reduce call waiting time. Currently, there is one FEMA
Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) operating in Alabama at Robertsdale High School open from 8:00 a.m to 5:30 p.m. Additional DRCs may be
designated at a later time.
Transportation:
*All airports are reported open.
*There has been no report of Interstate closures. Approximately 90
percent of State or US routes previously closed due to Hurricane Ivan
have been cleared and re-opened to traffic. Routes remaining closed are
mostly in the southern section of Baldwin County.
*The Port of Mobile has opened with draft restrictions to 40 ft.
Energy:
As of 4:00 pm on September 20, Alabama Power reported 183,332 customers without power. Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) has restored essentially
all if its customers. Electrical Cooperatives report 93,294 of the
customer base without power. Alabama Power provided the following
restoration targets for its customers:
*Southeast - 9/19
*Birmingham - 9/21
*Eastern - 9/21
*Tuscaloosa - 9/21
*Montgomery - 9/23
*Mobile - 9/24
ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS RESOURCES
The following information has been provided by the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers regarding the delivery of ice, water, generators, and debris
management services to Alabama's storm-damaged communities.
*Ice and Water: Emergency supplies of drinking water and ice for
temporary refrigeration have been delivered to distribution sites in
Alabama. Locations are being announced on radio and TV stations and are listed in newspapers.
*Debris management: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has a contract with Phillips & Jordan, Inc., a large waste management firm. Counties can
choose to have Phillips & Jordan manage their debris cleanup effort.
They can also choose to receive technical assistance from Corps
contracting specialists if they decide to contract for the work
themselves. The Corps will help counties remove debris from public
rights of way and to haul, reduce, and dispose of debris in accordance
with environmental requirements. The Corps has no authority to work on
private properties. To date, cities in Baldwin, Mobile and Escambia
counties have requested the Corps contractor to assist with their storm
debris cleanup. Small businesses or independent contractors can
subcontract with Phillips & Jordan to help with the debris cleanup
effort. Those who are interested in such work can visit
http://disaster.pandj.com/primaries/subcon.html
*Generators: The Corps has sent generators to critical facilities like
hospitals, water treatment plants, and sewer plants until normal power
returns. The Corps then removes and services the generators, getting
them ready for the next place that may need them. Requests for emergency
generators should be made to the Alabama State Emergency Operations
Center.
*Operation Blue Roof: Operation Blue Roof will assist with temporary
roof repairs on residences and other non-commercial structures. The
repairs are intended to protect structures until people can work with
their insurance companies or otherwise arrange for a permanent repair.
There is no charge for this service. To get an Operation Blue Roof
repair, homeowners must sign a Right of Entry form. This allows the
government to assess the roof damage, determine if a temporary fix can
be accomplished, and send contract workers to fix the roof. Information
about Operation Blue Roof is available by telephone at 1-888-ROOF-BLU
(1-888-766-3258). Please stay on the line to hear general information
about the program and press the appropriate number to learn the status
of the program in Alabama. The message is updated daily.
*Tarps for self-help roof repair: The Corps has ordered tarps that
people can use to make temporary roof repairs on their own. As they
arrive, these tarps are being delivered to 13 affected counties for
distribution. Information about distribution will be released as soon
as supplies are on the ground. Those who use a tarp for self-help repair
can still participate in Operation Blue Roof.
AMERICAN RED CROSS RESOURCES
For Hurricane Ivan information from the American Red Cross, please dial
1-866-GET-INFO or visit www.redcross.org
*Impact Assessment: In response to Hurricane Ivan, the American Red
Cross' immediate priority is to continue to ensure that those in need of
shelter have a place to stay. Operations include providing for the
basic needs of victims with the distribution of meals, cleanup kits, and
comfort kits; psychological/mental health support; financial assistance
for basic needs (clothing, groceries, bedding, etc.); and assistance in
the long term recovery needs.
*Mass Care: There are currently 490 Red Cross workers responding to the
areas affected by Ivan in Alabama and the Florida Panhandle. The
American Red Cross has provided 165,033 meals and snacks to date in
response to the areas affected by Hurricane Ivan in Alabama and the
Florida Panhandle. The Red Cross has deployed its two portable kitchen
trailers to Mobile and Pensacola. In partnership with the Southern
Baptists Disaster Relief program, the Red Cross will operate 8 kitchens
in Alabama and 5 kitchens in Florida.
*There are currently 7 shelters open in Alabama. For shelter locations,
please call 1-866-GET-INFO.
*There are 44 Emergency Response Vehicles (ERVs) supporting disaster
relief efforts in response to Hurricane Ivan. Each ERV is capable of
distributing 5,000 meals per day or can be used for giving out clean-up,
comfort and salvage supplies. Contents of a comfort kit include
shampoo, conditioner, soap, razor, shaving cream, toothbrush, toothpaste
and lotion. A cleanup kit includes: broom; mop; pail; scrub brush;
sponge; disinfectant; detergent/degreaser; bleach; gloves; and trash
bags.
*Emergency Financial Assistance: The Red Cross will provide direct
financial assistance to disaster victims in the form of Client
Assistance Cards for basic needs such as food, clothes and temporary
housing. This will be done through call centers set up by the American
Red Cross. Red Cross workers will meet with clients, and determine the
amount of assistance the Red Cross can provide and then credits the card
with a specific dollar amount. Please call 1-866-GET-INFO for more
information.
*Mental Health Services: The Red Cross provides mental heath services to
disaster victims by providing immediate crisis counseling by licensed
mental health professionals. In the event a victim needs longer-term
care, the Red Cross will refer them to other community-based
professionals.
*Damage Assessment: Red Cross Disaster Assessment teams are determining the number of dwellings affected and the extent of damage to residences
by Hurricane Ivan. This helps the American Red Cross determine how many families may be affected, the type of assistance needed, and the best
method of service delivery. Damage is categorized in the following
ways: destroyed (inhabitable, cannot be made habitable); major damage
(inhabitable, but can be repaired); minor damage (currently habitable,
but requires repair); and affected (dwelling has received extremely
minor damage).