CONTACT: press@epa.gov
EPA Hurricane Maria Update for September 22, 2017
WASHINGTON (September 22, 2017) – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) continues to coordinate closely with federal, commonwealth, territory and local partners as the Agency responds to the impact of Hurricane Maria. EPA is supporting the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) through its assistance to the governments of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. EPA is focused on environmental impacts and potential threats to people's health caused by Hurricane Maria, as well as the safety of those in the affected areas.
About 80 personnel are currently involved in hurricane efforts. The following EPA teams of On Scene Coordinators, scientists, technical assistance professionals and other first responders are deploying to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands this weekend, once conditions are safe to travel, to assess conditions in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria:
- Water Sampling
- Hazardous Materials Assessment
- Drinking Water and Wastewater Facilities Assessment
- Regulated Facility Assessment
EPA has important resources available online in English and Spanish about floodwaters, hazardous debris, household hazardous waste, and other hurricane impacts. EPA will continue to provide regular updates about EPA's response to Hurricane Maria. For information and updates, visit: www.epa.gov/hurricane-maria.
EPA Region 2 On Scene Coordinator assesses jet fuel depot in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands Airport on September 21, 2017
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