FEMA and NFL partner to make stadiums available for disasters

As Hurricane Helene heads toward the northern Gulf of Mexico and possibly past Atlanta, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is turning to an unexpected partner in its disaster preparations: the National League.

The federal agency and the NFL are working together to enable the use of NFL stadiums as “ready sites” during major disasters, FEMA said in a press release.

“During large-scale emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic, hurricanes or tornadoes, we have seen how large music, sports and entertainment venues can serve as a safe place for the community,” said FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell.

Criswell called the partnership with the NFL “groundbreaking” and said it will make communities “more resilient.”

The then Superdome in New Orleans was used as a storage facility for people for days during and after Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

According to FEMA, NFL stadiums are an ideal venue for all people because of their location and accessibility. According to FEMA, 73% of NFL stadiums are accessible by public transportation.

The stadiums that will become Mission Ready Venues are: MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, home of the New York Jets and Giants; Lumen Field in Seattle, home of the Seahawks; Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, home of the Steelers; Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, home of the Buccaneers. SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, home of the Rams and Chargers, is currently under review.

“Stadiums are valuable community assets that are often called upon during disasters,” said Cathy Lanier, NFL chief security officer and former chief of the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, D.C. “This award reflects the role many stadiums play, not just on Sundays, but especially in times of need. We are proud to partner with FEMA and first responders at the local and state levels to ensure that emergency management agencies have the information and tools they need to help a community recover when disaster strikes.”