President Trump Authorizes FEMA to Send Specialized Debris Teams to Quickly Clear Roads and Restore Power

In response to the winter storm, FEMA, under the leadership of President Trump and Secretary Noem, is rapidly deploying specialized "hotshot crews" from the U.S. Forest Service to Mississippi and Tennessee to assist local and state-led teams with removing debris from roadways, allowing emergency access. This will help ensure power can be restored in the most affected areas.

"President Trump's swift action authorizing federal support for Mississippi and Tennessee shows this Administration's commitment to helping governors as they lead disaster response in their states," said Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Administrator Karen S. Evans. "Our teams have worked non-stop with Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves and Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee to ensure they have everything necessary to save lives."

These teams will assist with "cut and toss" debris removal where generators need to be installed or where power crews are working. The hotshots are highly specialized wildland fire hand crews who can assist with rapid road clearing, hazardous tree removal and disaster recovery. These teams are usually comprised of 20 or more members who can work in hazardous conditions other crews may not.

When a federal emergency declaration or disaster declaration has been granted by the president, these teams can be used to clear vegetative debris from roadways to facilitate search and rescue and response operations directed by the state.

Earlier this week, FEMA sent meals, water, cots, blankets, tarps and 30 generators to Mississippi at the request of Gov. Tate Reeves. Another 30 generators are enroute to the state to provide emergency power to hospitals or other critical services as necessary.

President Trump approved 12 federal emergency disaster declarations for Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia, enabling states to access critical federal resources to supplement their response efforts.

FEMA also deployed incident management teams to Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas and Virginia - embedding experts within state emergency operations centers to assist with any federal requests for assistance.