REP. ANDREWS OFFERS CONDOLENCES TO VICTIMS OF HURRICANE KATRINA AND PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR RELIEF EFFORT

My thoughts and prayers are with the victims of Hurricane Katrina.  This storm has wrought immeasurable loss of life and destruction of epic proportions, the magnitude of which is still unfolding.  As we speak, agencies of the Federal government and branches of the military have begun rescue, security and relief efforts.

If you have relatives or friends in the affected areas, it may take time for them to communicate outside of the affected Gulf Coast area.  I would direct you to the section of this page containing the emergency contact numbers for the particular state.  Please remain patient as many communication channels have been damaged.   Do not enter the stricken areas without clear instructions from authorities.
 
Additionally, many of you have contacted me asking how you can be of assistance.  I have provided for you below a list of agencies and organizations collecting donations for the relief effort.
 
Despite the magnitude of this tragedy, the United States is a country of survivors.  It is situations such as these that bring out the very best in all of us.  I have no doubt that we will rise to the occasion as a people to help our brothers and sisters along the Gulf coast.  In the wake of this tragedy, I join with my constituents and the rest of the American people to offer our prayers and support for the victims of this disaster.
  
Relief Organizations
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
http://www.fema.gov/
202-566-1600
1-800-621-FEMA (3362).
 
Alabama Emergency Management Agency
http://www.ema.alabama.gov/
1-800-843-0699
 
Florida Division of Emergency Management
http://www.floridadisaster.org/
1-800-342-3557
 
Louisiana Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness
http://www.ohsep.louisiana.gov
202-925-7500
 
Mississippi Emergency Management Agency
http://www.msema.org
601-960-9020
 
Red Cross
http://www.redcross.org
1-866-GET-INFO (1-866-438-4636)
 
FINDING LOVED ONES
 Search and Rescue, U.S. Coastguard
 
IN ALABAMA, or To inquire about family and friends that did not evacuate the Greater New Orleans area contact the American Red Cross at the following number:
866-438-4636
 
IN LOUISIANNA
 
State Office of Emergency Preparedness in Baton Rouge , La.:
225-925-7708
225-925-7709
225-925-3511
225-925-7412

Louisiana State Police:
225-922-0325
225-922-0332
225-922-0333
225-922-0334
225-922-0335
225-922-0341
225-925-7398

IN MISSISSIPPI, Call the State EOC at 601-360-0054

 
RED CROSS ALERT FOR PERSONS WITH EMERGENCY MEDICAL CONDITIONS

The Red Cross is only accepting phone calls to search for missing persons in these emergency circumstances: Insulin dependant diabetics, Oxygen dependant, On dialysis, Blind, Recent heart attack or stroke victims, Mobility challenged, Broken leg foot or ankle, or paralyzed.  To notify the Red Cross of a person missing with one or more of these medical conditions, call 1-866-GET-INFO.
 
Information regarding additional HURRICANE KATRINA RESOURCES addressing the following issues is available at: http://www.fema.gov/press/2005/resources_katrina.shtm
 
Recent FEMA news releases;
Instructions for Evacuees;
How to get help, including food and water;
Listing of organizations that are assisting missing persons connect with family and friends;
Listing of national voluntary organization active in disaster relief;
Maps of flooded areas and closed roads;
Listing of counties in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi that have been declared for disaster assistance;
Filing a claim with your insurance;
Information about the disaster assistance process;
How to register for disaster assistance
     (Online at http://www.fema.gov/register.shtm; toll free by telephone at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362); or via TTY at 1-800-462-7585) and
Wind & Flood - prevention techniques for rebuilding;

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