USCG RESCUES OVER 22,000 SURVIVORS

[proud_ionian]

THE Coast Guard said yesterday that its helicopter and boat crews had rescued more than 22,000 people and has assisted with the joint-agency evacuation of an additional 9,400 patients and medical personnel from hospitals in the Gulf coast region. It added that “hundreds of people are continuing to be rescued daily by Coast Guard crews”.

In total, the Coast Guard has 43 helicopters, eight fixed-wing aircraft and 14 Coast Guard Auxiliary aircraft supporting the operations. In addition, there are more than 25 cutters and hundreds of small boats continuing to assist in the ongoing rescue and recovery operations.

A statement says that the lower Mississippi River is open to ship, tug and barge traffic with the following restrictions: a safety zone is in place from Southwest Pass to mile marker 235 preventing vessels with a draft greater than 35 feet from transiting the river. Transits are allowed during daylight only, and one-way traffic is required in three areas.

The Gulf Intercoastal Waterway west of Harvey Lock is open. The Harvey Lock east to mile marker 60 remains closed.

Twenty Coast Guard cutters and 36 small boats between Florida and Mississippi are working to repair missing or damaged navigational aids, providing communications and logistics support, supporting coastal search and rescue, conducting homeland security operations and are working alongside other agencies to survey the waterways.

mgn

[proud_ionian]

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