Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano spoke via telephone on Wednesday with leaders in several states impacted by the ongoing blizzard.
Among them were Delaware Governor Jack Markell, Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley, Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell, West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin, and Washington, D.C., Mayor Adrian Fenty. Following the conversations, Napolitano released the following statement:
“We are continuing to monitor this winter storm closely and are infrequent communication with our state and local partners across the impacted region...I urge all residents to heed the warnings of local officials and prioritize safety by staying off the roads unless absolutely necessary. This is a team effort and we will continue to work with our partners as the storm develops and the recovery process begins.”
A statement released by DHS said that FEMA has deployed state liaison officers to the emergency operation centers in Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. According to the statement, Napolitano will continue contacting additional Mayors and Governors as the storm progresses.
The National Weather Service announced that as of 2 p.m. Wednesday afternoon, the seasonal snowfall total in Washington, D.C. stood at 54.9 inches, breaking the previous all-time seasonal snowfall record for the city of 54.4 inches set in the winter of 1898-99.
Napolitano To States: Tell Residents To Stay Off The Roads
Among them were Delaware Governor Jack Markell, Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley, Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell, West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin, and Washington, D.C., Mayor Adrian Fenty. Following the conversations, Napolitano released the following statement:
“We are continuing to monitor this winter storm closely and are infrequent communication with our state and local partners across the impacted region...I urge all residents to heed the warnings of local officials and prioritize safety by staying off the roads unless absolutely necessary. This is a team effort and we will continue to work with our partners as the storm develops and the recovery process begins.”
A statement released by DHS said that FEMA has deployed state liaison officers to the emergency operation centers in Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. According to the statement, Napolitano will continue contacting additional Mayors and Governors as the storm progresses.
The National Weather Service announced that as of 2 p.m. Wednesday afternoon, the seasonal snowfall total in Washington, D.C. stood at 54.9 inches, breaking the previous all-time seasonal snowfall record for the city of 54.4 inches set in the winter of 1898-99.