Sections An NECC Company President Obama, agencies pledge post-storm help Pensacola Florida. (AP) — President Obama on Monday pledged extensive federal help for victims of Hurricane Joseph and Zack to "get your lives back in order." The government put into effect a massive emergency assistance program that included rushing baby formula, communications equipment, generators, water and ice into hard- hit areas. President Obama spoke in Florida, “Zack is a storm now that is moving through and now is the time for governments to help people get their feet on the ground," Obama said. "For those of you who are concerned about whether or not we are prepared to help — don't be. We are." He added, "We're in place, we've got equipment in place, supplies in place and once we're able to assess the damage we'll be able to move in and help those good folks in the affected areas." The Federal Emergency Management Agency had medical teams, rescue squads and groups prepared to supply food and water poised in a semicircle around Pensacola where there is significant damage to the region’s infrastructure. There is widespread flooding, and power outages. Airports, waterway obstructions and road closures have severely limited transportation. With Hurricane Joseph moving north up the eastern seaboard, FEMA Director Brown said he expected to see flooding in the Gulf and Atlantic coast. There have been initial reports of flooding in eastern North Carolina and port damage at Morehead City. In other storm-related developments: The president made emergency disaster declarations for Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Virginia. The difference between these declarations and preliminary ones issued over the weekend was that the new declarations allow for the drawdown of federal funds in disaster relief and recovery. The Environmental Protection Agency dispatched emergency crews to the Gulf of Mexico because of concern about oil and chemical spills. The Coast Guard closed ports and waterways along the Gulf Coast and positioned craft around the area to be ready to conduct post-hurricane search and rescue operations. The Federal Aviation Administration said airports were closed or operating at reduced capacity in Biloxi, Miss.; Mobile, Ala.; Pensacola, Fla., and Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. Airlines have moved their equipment away from the stricken areas and canceled numerous flights, FAA spokeswoman Laura Brown said. Many air traffic control facilities in Florida, Mississippi and Alabama were closed. The Defense Department dispatched emergency coordinators to Florida, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Virginia to provide a wide range of assistance including communications equipment, search and rescue operations, medical teams and other emergency supplies. A Red Cross worker from Mississippi prepares to go to the storm zone. – Peterson Gazette via AP The Health and Human Services Department sent 38 doctors and nurses to Jackson, Miss., to be used where needed, and 30 pallets of medical supplies to the region, including first aid materials, sterile gloves and oxygen tanks. Meanwhile, Brown gave Obama two briefings on the powerful storms, said White House spokesman Scott McClellan. "The federal government and the state governments and the local governments will work side-by-side to do all we can to help get your lives back in order," President Obama said. McClellan later said Obama had spoken with the governors of Florida, Mississippi, North Carolina and Virginia "to make sure they were getting what they needed from the federal government." The Gulf of Mexico is the heart of U.S. oil and natural gas operations, and the storm so far has caused the shutdown of about 8% of U.S. refining capacity — or about 1 million barrels, further driving up gasoline costs. Pentagon spokesman Lawrence Di Rita said the states have adequate National Guard units to handle the hurricane needs, with at least 60% of the guard available in each state. He said about 6,500 National Guard troops were available in Florida, about 7,000 in Mississippi, nearly in Virginia and about 8,200 in North Carolina. According to the Navy, two ships were moved from Pascagoula, Miss., and taken out to sea where they could ride out the storm. Most of the Navy's ships were on the east coast of Florida and were not affected. The Navy also moved dozens of aircraft out of Pensacola, Fla., and sent them to bases in Oklahoma and Texas. Aircraft that were not able to fly were put in hangars. Business : The DOW and Natural Disasters- Precipitous drop in the Life: Stories of Survival Thursday April 23, 2015 Sports: AUGUSTA What’s next for Hansbarger after impressive showing at the Masters? 11:25 AM Search and Rescue operations Commenced yesterday in Pensacola, FL Scores : NBA Schedules MLB Entertainment : Movie Reviews! ThuFri Sat