Date: August 29, 2010
No.: HQ-10-161
FEMA News Desk: 202-646-3272

FEMA MONITORS HURRICANE EARL, ENCOURAGES EVERYONE TO BE PREPARED
Families Should Visit Ready.gov to Learn Steps to Prepare for Hurricanes and Severe Weather

WASHINGTON - As Hurricane Earl moves toward Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, FEMA is closely monitoring the storm and stands ready to support commonwealth and territorial officials in the region to ensure they have the resources to respond if needed. Earl was upgraded to a hurricane earlier today by the National Hurricane Center. FEMA continues to urge everyone in the region to take steps now to ensure they are prepared for possible severe weather, and remember that hurricanes and tropical storms frequently bring flash flooding as well.

Anyone can visit www.ready.gov to learn more about how to prepare for an emergency.

The National Hurricane Center has issued a hurricane watch and tropical storm warning for both the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, including the islands of Culebra and Vieques. In addition, the government of Antigua and Barbuda has issued a tropical storm warning and hurricane watch for the British Virgin Islands. A hurricane watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area. A watch is typically issued 48 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical storm force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous. A tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours.

"We continue to monitor the storm and stay in close contact with commonwealth and territorial emergency management officials in the region to ensure they have the resources to respond if needed," said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. "Our priority, as always, is to make sure that we are supporting local efforts as they work to keep residents and communities safe. Hurricane Earl should serve as a reminder that if you have not taken the time to get your family ready for an emergency, now is the time. Visit Ready.gov to learn how."

According to the National Hurricane Center, Hurricane Earl will pass near or over the Northern Leeward Islands tonight and Monday. Hurricane conditions may spread over the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico on Monday night. There are currently no coastal watches or warnings in effect for the United States mainland.

FEMA is taking swift, proactive action to support the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Puerto Rico islands of Culebra and Vieques as they prepare for possible landfall.

FEMA already has staff on the ground in both areas working closely with commonwealth and territorial officials. FEMA has also already deployed an Incident Management Assistance Team (IMAT) to St. Thomas, and has one prepositioned in San Juan, where staff are on watch around the clock monitoring developments.

FEMA also has life-saving and life-sustaining commodities and supplies strategically located across the country to support states in their response, including in the areas of possible impact. These supplies, including water, meals, tarps, blankets, generators and other essential items, can be replenished through the national logistics supply chain.

FEMA is also monitoring Hurricane Danielle, which is located 440 miles east of Bermuda, and a tropical cyclone off the coast of West Africa. According to the National Hurricane Center, Hurricane Danielle has decreased to a Category 1 hurricane and is traveling quickly northeastward, and is forecast to gradually weaken in the next 24 hours.

Swells from Danielle are expected to gradually subside during the next day or so along portions of the United States East Coast. Large waves and dangerous surf from Danielle should diminish near Bermuda today.

While there currently are no coastal watches or warnings in effect for the United States mainland, history has shown that storm tracks can change quickly and unexpectedly.

Individuals and their families should take the time to log on to www.ready.gov to find out how to prepare for hurricanes and other disasters.

The National Weather Service remains the source of official severe weather watches and warnings, including flash flooding which can take only a few minutes to develop in the case of heavy rains.

FEMA encourages all individuals in the region to listen to NOAA Weather Radio and their local news to monitor for severe weather updates, and to follow the directions provided by their local officials.

FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

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This past week saw a tragedy when a dog allowed to run loose attacked and killed an elderly Pomeranian owned by Putnam County resident Donna Stewart. The owner, a widow in her 70s, picked up and tried to hold her pet out of harm's way leading to injury to herself. Putnam County has a law that all animals must be on a leash or under voice control while off the owner's property.

Further details can be read in the Palatka Daily News, August 20th edition.

If you have a need for some extra love then contact our expert local matchmakers.
The Humane Society of Northeast FL is standing by to assist you.
Call (386) 325-1587 or visit the Hollister shelter at 112 Norma St.

The Humane Society of Northeast Florida is a No-Kill shelter run entirely on donations, grants, and fundraisers.
No state or local taxes are used. The local Humane Society is an independent 501(c)(3) charity.

To find out more go to http://animalservices2000.org/content/node/317

All lots of Beef Filet Squares for Dogs and Texas Hold’ems dog treats included in recall.
Posted: August 17, 2010, 2 a.m. EDT

Due to salmonella concerns, Merrick Pet Care Inc. of Amarillo, Texas, has expanded its Beef Filet Squares and Texas Hold’ems dog treats recall to include all lots of the two products.

The recalled Beef Filet Squares for Dogs and Texas Hold’ems treats come in 10-ounce packages and were shipped to distributors and retailers throughout the United States, according to Merrick. No illnesses related to the recalled dog product have been reported.

Merrick issued limited recalls of its Beef Filet Squares and Texas Hold’ems treats earlier this month and in July after samples turned up positive for salmonella.
http://www.dogchannel.com/dog-news/2010/08/17/merrick-expands-dog-treat-...

Certain Iams and Eukanuba dog food formulas recalled due to salmonella concerns.
Posted: August 3, 2010, 2 a.m. EDT

The Procter & Gamble Co. of Cincinnati has expanded a recent voluntary recall of certain Iams brand prescription cat food to include additional Iams veterinary formulas and some specialized dog food due to salmonella concerns.

The recalled products include:

•Iams Veterinary Dry Formulas (cat & dog)
All dry sizes and varieties
“Best By” 01Jul10 – 01Dec11
All UPC Codes

•Eukanuba Naturally Wild (dog)
All dry sizes and varieties
“Best By” 01Jul10 – 01Dec11
All UPC Codes

•Eukanuba Pure (dog)
All dry sizes and varieties
“Best By” 01Jul10 – 01Dec11
All UPC Codes

•Eukanuba Custom Care Sensitive Skin (dog)
All dry sizes
“Best By” 01Jul10 – 01Dec11
All UPC Codes
No canned food, biscuits, treats or supplements are affected by the expanded recall. A full listing of UPC codes is available at www.iams.com.

Also:

Merrick Expands Dog Treat Recall to All Lots
All lots of Beef Filet Squares for Dogs and Texas Hold’ems dog treats included in recall.
Posted: August 17, 2010, 2 a.m. EDT

Due to salmonella concerns, Merrick Pet Care Inc. of Amarillo, Texas, has expanded its Beef Filet Squares and Texas Hold’ems dog treats recall to include all lots of the two products.

The recalled Beef Filet Squares for Dogs and Texas Hold’ems treats come in 10-ounce packages and were shipped to distributors and retailers throughout the United States, according to Merrick. No illnesses related to the recalled dog product have been reported.

Merrick issued limited recalls of its Beef Filet Squares and Texas Hold’ems treats earlier this month and in July after samples turned up positive for salmonella.

http://www.dogchannel.com/dog-news/dog-product-recall-topiclist.aspx