DHS Acting Secretary Elaine Duke visits Florida with President Trump to Assess Hurric

[The Patriot]

DHS Acting Secretary Elaine Duke visits Florida with President Trump to Assess Hurricane Irma Response and Recovery Efforts

09-15-2017 07:08 AM

Release Date:
September 15, 2017


For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
Contact: 202-282-8010

WASHINGTON – Yesterday, Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Elaine Duke traveled to Fort Myers and Naples, Florida with President Donald J. Trump to meet with federal, state and local officials carrying out Hurricane Irma response and recovery efforts.

In Fort Myers, the President and the Acting Secretary, along with Vice President Mike Pence, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Brock Long, and Department of Energy Secretary Rick Perry received a briefing on relief efforts. Florida Governor Rick Scott, Senators Bill Nelson and Marco Rubio, Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, President & CEO of Florida Power & Light Company Eric Silagy as well as state, county, and local emergency management officials participated in the discussions. The Acting Secretary then traveled to Naples, Florida where she met with individuals impacted by Hurricane Irma.

“We owe a debt of gratitude to our first responders, federal employees, and volunteers who have worked tirelessly to evacuate local communities and aid with recovery. Today, we saw the damage from Hurricane Irma firsthand, and connected with state and local officials to discuss the additional resources they need to continue recovery efforts,” said Acting Secretary Duke. “We also met with survivors, and heard their stories. Let me tell you this - Floridians are tough. The road to recovery will take time, but I am confident the administration’s efforts, along with our state and local partners, will help rebuild local communities quickly and put Florida back on track.”

The Department of Homeland Security’s top priority is to protect the American people from harm – this includes from natural disasters. Registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov is the quickest way for those affected to register for federal aid. The federal government continues to support Hurricane Harvey response and recovery efforts underway in Texas and Louisiana along with those impacted by Hurricane Irma.

Today, more than 40,000 federal personnel, including more than 2,650 FEMA staff, are working in support of preparedness and response to Hurricane Irma. Many federal agencies, including the U.S. Departments of State, Defense, Interior, and Homeland Security have deployed thousands of personnel to provide logistical support for commodities, employ search and rescue assets, as well as conduct damage assessments to develop and advance recovery efforts.

Acting Secretary Elaine Duke joins FEMA Administrator Brock Long to survey damage following Hurricane Irma. (DHS Official Photo/Jetta Disco)



Acting Secretary Elaine Duke meets with members of* the U.S. Coast Guard responding to Hurricane Irma. (DHS Official Photo/PA2 Patrick Kelly)

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Topics:
Disaster Response and Recovery


Keywords:
Acting Secretary Elaine Duke,
disaster recovery plan,
disaster relief,
federal response,
FEMA,
Hurricane Irma,
natural disasters




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