Gov. McDonnell proclaims Hurricane and Flooding Preparedness Week
Virginia families should take action now to get ready for hurricane season, which begins June 1 and often brings significant flooding to both coastal and inland regions. To emphasize the important of emergency preparation, Gov. Bob McDonnell has recognized May 27-June 2 as Hurricane and Flooding Preparedness Week. The governor’s proclamation coincides with National Hurricane Preparedness Week, sponsored by the National Weather Service.
Last year, 10 residents died as a result of Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee in Virginia. Many communities continue to recover. Before weather disasters and other emergencies hit, families should be prepared with an emergency kit of supplies, a battery-powered and/or hand-crank radio to hear local information when the power is out, and a written family emergency plan. For more information on making a family plan as well as putting together a supply kit, see www.ReadyVirginia.gov. Also, consider purchasing flood insurance, which is available to both property owners and renters and is not typically included in homeowners insurance. Consult your insurance agent about flood insurance and learn more atwww.floodsmart.gov.
Have you made your shopping list?
From May 25-31, Virginians can save money on useful items to help prepare for hurricane and flooding season. No sales tax will be charged on all types of bottled water and containers for water, flashlights and many kinds of batteries, weather radios, generators, plastic sheeting and tarps, carbon monoxide and smoke detectors, first aid kits, cell phone chargers and batteries, and many other items. All Virginia retailers participate in the sales tax holiday. Get a complete list of tax-exempt items here: http://www.tax.virginia.gov/
Make a point to refill your emergency kit and tell your clients, friends and family about the sales tax holiday!
New Virginia Hurricane Evacuation Guide now available!
The 2012 edition of the Virginia Hurricane Evacuation Guide is now available to the public through multiple agencies and organizations throughout Hampton Roads and central Virginia.
The guide contains essential hurricane season information, including evacuation routes, traffic reversal plans along Interstate 64 and family preparedness. Produced by the Virginia Department of Transportation, the Virginia Department of Emergency Management and the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission, the guide is part of the Ready Virginia and Ready Hampton Roads public information campaigns.
Sections of the guide explain storm surge maps and how to use them and preparedness information for those with special needs. A federal grant that helps the HRPDC conduct special needs outreach paid for the guide.
“All Virginians need to know their risk for storm surge and should plan ahead for what they will do in an emergency,” said Michael Cline, state coordinator for VDEM. “This is an important resource especially for those who live in coastal and low-lying areas.”
For the 2012 hurricane season, 175,000 copies of the guide were printed. Most will be distributed by state and local agencies, private businesses and nonprofit organizations. Any individual or organization interested in receiving guides should contact the VDEM Public Affairs Office at (866) 782-3470 or pio@vdem.virginia.gov . The guide is posted online at www.vaemergency.gov/
Please share this timely information with clients, family and friends.