VICKSBURG, Miss., June 9, 2014 -- Hurricanes happen about 40 to 50 times worldwide each year and this year’s North and Central American season started June 1. History shows that a lack of hurricane awareness and preparation are common threads among all major hurricane disasters.
This year, the Mississippi Valley Division will conduct an interagency hurricane rehearsal to practice its response and recovery activities should a hurricane strike Louisiana and/or Mississippi.
The drill will be conducted June 11 from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. at the Vicksburg District headquarters building, 4155 East Clay Street, Vicksburg, MS 39183. The media is invited to attend and interview key Corps leaders.
The exercise will also help MVD to strengthen existing relationships with key stakeholders and partners to ensure synchronization of its planning efforts, while also improving coordination, communication and collaboration with federal, state and local government agencies.
Participants in the drill include the FEMA Region IV (Mississippi), FEMA Region VI (Louisiana), U.S. Coast Guard, Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, Louisiana and Mississippi Army National Guard Dual Status Commanders, members from the U.S. Army Reserve 412th and 416th Theater Engineer Commands, Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, and Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority East and West.
Because of the threat to the United States’ coastal states, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers prepares annually for potential hurricanes by conducting exercises with its federal, state and local partners. Four of the eight USACE divisions are along the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean. Each division provides planning and coordination with those states, as well as with the Federal Emergency Management Agency regions within their area of responsibility.
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Release no. 14-007