The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) continues to coordinate the efforts of dozens of federal agencies supporting response following Hurricane Irma’s damage to the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and Florida. Today, more than 38,000 federal personnel are working to support state, Commonwealth, territorial, tribal and local officials; additional staff continue to deploy.
The top priority of the federal government is protecting the lives and safety of those in affected areas. First responders, federal teams and voluntary agencies are working tirelessly to help those in need through search and rescue, staffing emergency shelters, providing meals, and offering comfort.
More information on federal partners’ support to response and recovery can be found at www.fema.gov/Hurricane-Irma.
Top left: A U.S. Marine with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) is en route to deliver food and water by way of UH-1Y Venom helicopters to St. Thomas Cyril King E. Airport, U.S. Virgin Islands in order to effort aid victims of Hurricane Irma in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Sept. 10, 2017. Bottom left: A Caribbean-based Air and Marine Operations hoist operator deploys a rescue specialist on Jost Van Dyke Island, British Virgin Islands. Sept. 7, 2017. Upper middle: Virginia USAR Water Rescue, HAZMAT and collapsed structures SMEs arrived at Muñiz Air National Guard Base, in Puerto Rico to provide assistance and relief following Hurricane Irma. Bottom middle: U.S. Sailors with the 26th MEU, deliver food and water by way of UH-1Y Venom helicopters to St. Thomas Airport, U.S. Virgin Islands in effort of aiding victims of Hurricane Irma in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Sept. 10, 2017. Top right: U.S. Airmen from the 23d Wing set up cots at Moody Air Force Base, Ga. in preparation to support personnel and assets from FEMA for Hurricane Irma relief efforts.
