MIAMI, FLORIDA – Today, Congresswoman Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.), issued the following statement after Tropical Storm Isaac hit Haiti, killing at least three people, causing flooding and collapsing some structures:
“My thoughts and prayers go out to the Haitian people, especially to the families of those who perished due to Tropical Storm Isaac. I will continue to monitor the situation as Haiti’s government works with USAID, the Red Cross and other international partners to recover from the storm, and I will work with the appropriate federal agencies to ensure that adequate resources and people are in place to assist the people of Haiti. While Isaac might have posed a temporary setback to Haiti as it rebuilds following the January 2010 earthquake, I remain hopeful and fully committed to seeing it through.
“As Tropical Storm Isaac gains strength and makes its way toward South Florida, I urge everyone to calmly and methodically check that they have followed the hurricane preparedness steps outlined by FEMA, the state and Miami-Dade and Broward counties. Make sure you have a plan in place, enough supplies to last several days and an evacuation route figured out just in case. Remember to follow the instructions of the authorities – it’s their job to keep us safe. And, if you have not done so already, please visit my hurricane preparedness page at www.wilson.house.gov/hurricane-preparedness.”
Notes on Haitian government and international efforts during Tropical Storm Isaac
- Haiti’s government is working with USAID and other international partners to coordinate emergency response teams and resources.
- The Red Cross has 150 community-based response teams throughout Haiti, including 55 in Port-au-Prince alone.
- Supply kits are in place to accommodate tens of thousands of Haitian families.
- Hurricane shelters are available to accommodate one out of every two homeless Haitians – roughly 175,000 people.
- Buses and boats are on standby for evacuation.
- The Haitian police and international aid groups are on high alert, as they monitor the aftermath of Tropical Storm Isaac by the minute.
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U.S. Rep. Frederica S. Wilson is a first-term Congresswoman from Florida representing parts of Northern Miami-Dade and Southeast Broward counties. A former state legislator and school principal, she is the founder of the 5000 Role Models for Excellence Project, a mentoring program for young males at risk of dropping out of school.
