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Thirteen people had been reported dead and there was extensive flooding in several states. The hurricane had the lowest barometric pressure of any storm recorded in the northeast.
News Mississippi learned Sunday that several officials from the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, the organization funded with your tax dollars to assist Mississippians during emergencies, were flying to Maryland and would be stationed at their emergency operations center.
We learned Monday that three swift water rescue teams from the Magnolia State were also sent to Maryland. The teams are equipped with one team leader, three swift water rescue personnel and a boat capable of transporting three survivors and the crew, among other equipment.
“Our team members have trained for many hours for situations just like this,” said Desoto County Emergency Management Director and Task Force Leader Bobby Storey in a MEMA news release. “The equipment and manpower are rolling that way. We are honored to represent the state of Mississippi and to assist the state of Maryland and their residents.” These swift water rescue teams are an important response tool created after Hurricane Katrina. Through various grant programs the teams were equipped and trained to respond in the state of Mississippi and elsewhere on short notice.
The news release pointed out that Mississippi received assistance from almost every other state during Hurricane Katrina.
Also on the ground are linemen and specialists from Entergy Mississippi. Spokesperson Mara Hatmann told us several crews, along with seven regular trucks were already on the way to the northeast. They were expected to be stationed in Maryland.
