Declaration of Disaster Emergency

WHEREAS, there is a potential emergency posed by the arrival of Hurricane Henri;

WHEREAS, there is a threat of widespread or severe damage, injury, loss of life and property resulting from this storm;

WHEREAS, sustained high winds and heavy rains could result in dangerous conditions, coastal storm warnings, flooding and other potential hazards which pose an imminent threat to public safety as well as damage to public and private property; and

WHEREAS, the health, safety and resources of the people of the State of Rhode Island would be endangered thereby.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, DANIEL J. MCKEE, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Governor of the State of Rhode Island pursuant to Article IX of the Rhode Island Constitution and the Rhode Island General Laws, including, but not limited to, Title 30, Chapter 15, do hereby order and direct the following:

1. For purpose of disaster preparation and standing up additional resources, a state of disaster emergency is hereby declared for the State of Rhode Island due to the dangers to life and property posed by this storm.
2. The Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency (RIEMA) is directed to stand up the state emergency operations center and to activate all other necessary state emergency response plans, policies, compacts and agreements, to create and establish mobile support units, and to activate and deploy disaster response teams and disaster response workers to perform disaster response services.
3. The Adjutant General is authorized to order Rhode Island National Guard members to state active duty, if necessary, to assist in the response to this disaster.
4. The Director of the Department of Environmental Management is authorized, within his discretion, to suspend regulations governing fishery landings as deemed necessary.
5. All state departments, agencies or quasi-state agencies and boards and commissions performing executive functions shall cooperate fully with RIEMA in all matters concerning this Order.
6. Law enforcement and environmental authorities are directed to compel the evacuation or closure of all or part of the population from any stricken or threatened area within the state as deemed necessary for public safety, and to control ingress and egress to and from a stricken or threatened area.
7. All State offices should remain open until further notice and continue to operate in the ordinary course of their business.
8. This Order shall take effect immediately and remain in full force and effect until the threat or danger has passed, or the emergency conditions no longer exist.

So Ordered,

Daniel J. McKee

Governor