Photos Available: Coast Guard stages crews for Hurricane Michael response

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 10/10/2018 05:30 PM EDT

united states coast guard

 News Release

Oct. 10, 2018
U.S. Coast Guard Hurricane Michael Response
Contact: Hurricane Response Information Center
Mobile, Alabama
(251) 441-6340
uscgmichael@gmail.com

Coast Guard stages crews for Hurricane Michael response

Coast Guard personnel, aircraft staged for possible Hurricane Michael response operations Coast Guard personnel, aircraft staged for possible Hurricane Michael response operations 

Coast Guard personnel, aircraft staged for possible Hurricane Michael response operations Coast Guard personnel, aircraft staged for possible Hurricane Michael response operations

Editors' Note: Click on images to download high resolution version.

MOBILE, Ala. — Coast Guard crews are staged for Hurricane Michael response in the coastal portions of Alabama and Florida, Wednesday.

The Coast Guard has pre-staged shallow-water response teams, maritime environmental response teams, air assets, and a communication asset along the Alabama and Florida coasts.

“Coast Guard Sector Mobile is currently preparing assets and personnel throughout the Gulf Coast for post-storm search and rescue, as well as pollution response efforts in the wake of Hurricane Michael,” said Cmdr. Jason Franz, Hurricane Michael Sector Mobile incident commander. “Coast Guard cutters and rescue aircraft are making all necessary arrangements for immediate action. Mariners are still advised to refrain from getting underway. Debris in the water, such as drifting or unaccounted for aids to navigation, should be of serious concern to all mariners.”

The general public should remain aware of heavy rain, wind, and flood conditions. If you, your friends or family need emergency assistance, call 911 and provide your location, zip code, street name and number of people in need of assistance.

Coast Guard Sector Mobile incident command post can be contacted 24-hours a day on Channel 16, or via phone at 251-441-6413 or 251-441-6211. Do not call for rescue if you are not in a life-threatening situation. Rescue teams are prioritizing rescues by urgency. We are not able to facilitate requests for assistance on social media.

For those who want to volunteer with search and rescue efforts, please call 850-815-4896.

To help those affected by Hurricane Michael, you can donate through the American Red Cross.

Anyone wanting to help Coast Guard members impacted by Hurricane Michael should visit the Coast Guard Mutual Assistance Program.

For frequent updates, please visit Twitter and Facebook at https://twitter.com/USCGHeartland and https://www.facebook.com/uscgheartland/.

-USCG-