By Jillian MacMath
As Tropical Storm Karen eyes the Gulf coast, threatening to unleash flooding rainfall, local emergency management agencies are scrambling to finish last-minute preparations in the midst of a government shutdown.
The National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has promised to maintain all personnel and websites which are critical to protecting lives and property.
Federal employees which have been deemed non-essential have not reported to work since Oct. 1, leaving the National Hurricane Center (NHC) and local National Weather Service forecasting offices in the path of Karen responsible for issuing all storm-related information.
As the tropical storm takes aim at the southern U.S., readying for a late-weekend landfall, a near-zero-visibility blizzard has pummeled the Plains and more severe weather is threatening the nation’s midsection.
Concerns are mounting over what emergency response will be available should storms result in a disaster for any area, as the shutdown did not exclude the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Though non-essential FEMA employees were furloughed on Tuesday, the agency maintains that it is monitoring the conditions of Tropical Storm Karen through its regional offices in Atlanta, Ga., and Denton, Texas, and will keep in close coordination with coastal officials.
“Gulf Coast residents in potentially impacted areas should take steps now to be prepared and follow the direction of local officials,” FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate said. “FEMA will continue to support our state and local partners as they prepare for any potential impacts.”
The agency has since re-activated the Hurricane Liaison Team to aid in the responsibility of warning against Karen.
As of Saturday morning, the projected path of the storm threatened the possibility of two landfalls occurring, one over southeastern Louisiana and one between southern Mississippi to the western part of the Florida Panhandle.
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Flooding rainfall is expected where landfall is made, as well as winds capable of causing minor property damage, downed trees and sporadic power outages.
Local emergency management officials within those regions are bracing themselves for an impact.
A crane lowers a flood gate into Hero Canal, as part of the hurricane protection system protecting the greater New Orleans area, in anticipation of Tropical Storm Karen, in Belle Chasse, La., Friday, Oct. 4, 2013. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
“We are monitoring the storm’s progress and forecast very closely. We are encouraging our residents to do the same and take the necessary precautions such as get disaster supplies, prepare their property for high winds, rain and minor storm surge,” John J. Kilcullen, director of plans and operations for the Mobile County Emergency Management said.
“The government shutdown has had no impact on the frequency of communications with our local Weather Forecast Office. We do two webinars daily with them and they are available 24/7 if we need additional information.”
Meanwhile, non-governmental organizations, such as The American Red Cross, are preparing to respond.
“We are mobilizing trained workers, supplies and equipment. Red Cross response vehicles from Louisiana to Georgia are on alert and volunteers are ready to open shelters if needed,” the organization said.
More at AccuWeather – Gulf Coast Prepares for Karen Amid Government Shutdown
