FEMA SURGES HUNDREDS OF ADDITIONAL PERSONNEL TO PUERTO RICO FOR
HURRICANE FIONA RESPONSE
[https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20220920/fema-surges-hundreds-additional-personnel-puerto-rico-hurricane-fiona]


Release Date: 
Septanm 20, 2022 

San Juan, Puerto Rico – Today, FEMA Administrator Deanne
Criswell will travel to Puerto Rico to assess the devastation caused
by Hurricane Fiona and determine the additional resources needed to
support the island’s recovery.

FEMA deployed one national and four regional Incident Management Teams
and two Urban Search and Rescue teams to augment the hundreds of FEMA
personnel on the ground. The additional staff will help bolster the
Government of Puerto Rico’s response efforts.

“Our partnership with the Government of Puerto Rico has never been
stronger and we remain committed to helping them respond to and
recover from Hurricane Fiona,” said FEMA Administrator Deanne
Criswell. “We're sending hundreds of additional PERSONNEL in the
next few days to place staff in each of the AFFECTED communities to
supplement our already vast footprint.”

The Administrator’s trip comes on the fifth anniversary of Hurricane
Maria hitting the island and follows the emergency declaration
President Joseph R. Biden approved on Sunday. The declaration
authorizes FEMA to coordinate all federal disaster relief efforts to
save lives and protect property.

Administrator Criswell called Governor Pedro R. Pierluisi on Monday to
discuss Fiona’s impacts and how FEMA can provide additional
support. One of the ways FEMA is providing additional resources is by
increasing the number of field operations resources,
including staff.

Hurricane Fiona’s rain bands continue to cause flooding along with
potential mud and landslides across Puerto Rico. While the storm has
moved north, additional flash and urban flooding is possible in the
southern portion of the main island. Although the storm is moving away
from Puerto Rico, residents are encouraged to stay alert to continuing
hazards.

FEMA’s support of the Government of Puerto Rico has been ongoing.
And while heavy rain and strong winds of Fiona have devasted the
island, FEMA has been in collaboration with Puerto Rico and other
local and federal partners to help better prepare the island for
hurricane response.

“FEMA has been tracking the potential impacts of this severe weather
event well-ahead of the storm’s landfall.” said Region 2
Administrator David Warrington. “It is our mission to help people
before, during and after disasters and we remain committed to
supporting the Government of Puerto Rico for as long as we are
needed.”

“The Government of Puerto is appreciative of the support FEMA has
already provided and we welcome the support of additional
personnel,” said governor Pierluisi. “The amount of rain Puerto
Rico received has been extraordinary, approximately 25 inches, but
according to the National Weather Service, that number could rise to
as much as 35,” governor Pierluisi added. “Life safety remains to
be a top priority and it is my sincere hope that people will continue
to follow the advice of local officials and stay home.”

FEMA will continue to work with the Government of Puerto Rico to
respond to and recover from the storm and remain committed to helping
reduce risks and hazards posed by future disasters and extreme weather
events.