CBP readies Florida operations for storm

With Hurricane Dorian bearing down, Customs and Border Protections’ 2,500 staff in Florida, as well as its various marine and aircraft assets, are prepared to respond.

CBP maneuvers personnel, as well as marine and terminal assets, into place across Puerto Rico and Florida for storm operations. Photo credit: U.S. Customs and Border Protection

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said its 2,500 officers and other personnel across Florida are working with their counterparts at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), as well as state and local government officials, in preparation of Hurricane Dorian.

Diane J. Sabatino, CBP’s Miami and Tampa Field Office director of operations, will oversee the agency’s Region IV Emergency Operation Center, which includes Florida, in addition to Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, the Caribbean, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, during natural disasters and national emergencies.

The agency said its emergency response work is aligned with the Homeland Security Department’s National Response Framework.

During the storm, CBP personnel will work with local, state and federal agency counterparts to support search and rescue operations, recovery assessments, security, and relief efforts.

“Our foremost concern is for the safety of those in harm’s way, and our teams of front-line federal officers and agents are prepared to support response and recovery efforts with unique capabilities and resources,” Sabatino said in a statement Aug. 30.

CBP’s Air and Marine Operations (AMO) aircrews from the Miami Air and Marine Branch, Jacksonville Air and Marine Branch, and National Air Security Operations Center in Jacksonville are highly experienced in response and recovery missions, with years of experience dealing with hurricanes in Puerto Rico, Florida, Texas and the Carolinas, the agency said.

The agency said it will provide updates of its operations during the storm on Instagram and Twitter at @CBP @CBPCaribbean @CBPSoutheast and @CBPFlorida.

Upcoming FreightWaves Events
Compliance

Brokerage Compliance Symposium

The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.

October 26, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
Register Now
Awards

F3 Awards Dinner

The night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.

October 26, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
Register Now
FreightTech

F3: Future of Freight Festival

Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.

October 27, 2026 – October 28, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
Register Now
Compliance Brokerage Compliance Symposium Oct 26 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now
Awards F3 Awards Dinner Oct 26 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

The night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now
FreightTech F3: Future of Freight Festival Oct 27 – Oct 28 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now

Chris Gillis

Located in the Washington, D.C. area, Chris Gillis primarily reports on regulatory and legislative topics that impact cross-border trade. He joined American Shipper in 1994, shortly after graduating from Mount St. Mary’s College in Emmitsburg, Md., with a degree in international business and economics.