IAFF Locals Prepare for Tropical Storm Edouard

August 5, 2008 – Tropical Storm Edouard made landfall August 5 near the Texas/Louisiana border. Though winds only reached 65 mph -- short of the 74 mph required for hurricane status -- IAFF 11th District Vice President Sandy McGhee and 14th District Vice President Danny Todd are in touch with potentially affected locals and are prepared to deploy IAFF resources as needed.

“Our biggest worry at this point is flooding,” says Guy Turner, president of the Texas State Association of Fire Fighters (TSAFF). “Certain areas are going to get a lot of rain. We won’t know the storm’s true impact until the Edourd runs its course.”

“We have several locals in the path of this tropical storm,” says Chad Major, president of the Professional Fire Fighters of Louisiana (PFFL). “By all accounts, our members have taken the necessary precautions and are ready for the storm’s impact.”

IAFF locals in Texas in Edouard’s path include: Beaumont Local 399; Port Arthur Local 397; Orange Local 432; Nederland Local 3339; Galveston Local 571; Texas City Local 1259; Houston Local 341; and La Marque Local 3282. In Louisiana, IAFF locals include: Houma Local 1405; Lafayette Local 619; Morgan City Local 1925; and Lake Charles Local 561.

Rain is expected to accumulate between three to five inches in most areas. As much as 10 inches are possible over portions of southeastern Texas.

Texas Governor Rick Perry issued disaster declarations for 17 counties and Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal has declared a statewide emergency.