Governor McDonnell Declares State of Emergency as Precaution for Hurricane Earl
RICHMOND – Governor Bob McDonnell today declared a state of emergency in the Commonwealth of Virginia, a step authorizing state agencies to take precautionary action to prepare for any potential impacts in eastern Virginia from Hurricane Earl. A state of emergency must be declared under state law so that additional resources are available and positioned for use if necessary. The latest National Weather Service models show that Earl is expected to take a track to the east of the Commonwealth with minimal impacts. Models also indicate Hurricane Earl will be well clear of the Mid-Atlantic region prior to the holiday weekend.
Speaking about the declaration, Governor McDonnell noted, “The current forecast has Hurricane Earl passing east of Virginia later this week. However, a change in the storm’s path could bring hazardous weather conditions to eastern Virginia. This declaration is a precautionary move which will allow state agencies to be ready just in case resources are needed.”
In declaring a state of emergency, the governor authorizes state agencies to identify and position resources and manpower for quick response anywhere they are needed in Virginia. In anticipation of this weather system:
- The Virginia Emergency Operations Center is coordinating the state’s preparation for the storm at Increased Readiness condition with increased staffing.
- The Virginia Department of Emergency Management is holding conference calls with the National Weather Service, local governments and state agencies.
- The Virginia Department of Transportation is making sure storm drains are clear in the Hampton Roads region.
- The Virginia National Guard is preparing for possible post-storm response in the Hampton Roads region and the Adjutant General is now authorized to call up those resources he thinks are necessary to ensure it can fulfill its mission in the event the storm impacts Virginia.
- The Virginia Department of Social Services and Virginia Department of Health are on standby and prepared to open state-managed shelters if those are necessary.
Virginians, especially those in Hampton Roads or travelling to the coast, should pay close attention to local weather forecasts. Also, they should have an emergency plan in case the storm changes its forecasted path. A slight westward movement in the track of the storm will increase the risk of dangerous weather in eastern Virginia. We ask Virginians to remain vigilant. In order to be prepared, all citizens should ensure that they stock up on supplies.
More information about hurricane preparedness is available at www.ReadyVirginia.gov and www.ListoVirginia.gov. Online videos that explain storm surge, lane reversal and evacuation routes are at http://www.youtube.com/vaemergency (captions are available)
Get Ready to Save Money
Virginia’s Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday is May 25-31. During that week, shoppers can stock up on certain supplies for protecting homes and businesses during hurricane season. Many of the tax exempt items are suitable for emergency supply kits.
During this time, retailers will not charge sales tax on these useful items: bottled water of any size or type; batteries, excluding car or boat batteries; battery-powered light sources such as flashlights and lanterns; first aid kits; cell phone chargers; Weather Band radios and NOAA Weather Radios; battery-powered or hand-crank radios; two-way radios; bungee cords and rope; carbon monoxide and smoke detectors; fire extinguishers; water storage containers such as buckets, canteens and coolers; and portable generators.
For a complete list of exempt items, go to the Virginia Department of Taxation Web site.
For information about getting ready for hurricane and flood season, visit ReadyVirginia.
Get Ready to Save Money
Virginia’s Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday is May 25-31. During that week, shoppers can stock up on certain supplies for protecting homes and businesses during hurricane season. Many of the tax exempt items are suitable for emergency supply kits.
During this time, retailers will not charge sales tax on these useful items: bottled water of any size or type; batteries, excluding car or boat batteries; battery-powered light sources such as flashlights and lanterns; first aid kits; cell phone chargers; Weather Band radios and NOAA Weather Radios; battery-powered or hand-crank radios; two-way radios; bungee cords and rope; carbon monoxide and smoke detectors; fire extinguishers; water storage containers such as buckets, canteens and coolers; and portable generators.
For a complete list of exempt items, go to the Virginia Department of Taxation Web site.
For information about getting ready for hurricane and flood season, visit ReadyVirginia.
Are You Red Cross Ready? Video in American Sign Language
Students at Oregon School for the Deaf have created a wonderful video in American Sign Language to help the American Red Cross Williamette Chapter in Salem, Oregon reach more people in the community.
The video was filmed on the campus of the Oregon School for the deaf. It informs people about three important actions everyone should take to become prepared for emergencies –
Get a Kit, Make a Plan, and Be Informed.
See the video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4q3wdFmaZA
- Thanks to NVRC, Fairfax
TDI Launches “It’s Our World!” Vlog Highlighting CEPIN’s Emergency Preparedness Efforts
TDI eNotes – April 6, 2010
CONTACT: Michele Roseman- mroseman@tdi-online.org
Silver Spring, Maryland - TDI proudly announces the release of its latest online video blog highlighting the Community Emergency Preparedness Information Network (CEPIN) program. Sponsored byHamilton Relay, this project is the fourth vlog in TDI’s “It’s Our World!” series.
With a run time of approximately seven minutes, “CEPIN Program Highlights” was designed to inform the public about the need to collaborate before disasters occur. CEPIN tells viewers that emergency management and disability communities should work together before disasters as a way to have better outcomes.
“There is no better time to prepare for the unknown than now,” CEPIN Program Director, Neil McDevittsaid. “When disasters occur, there is a need for emergency responders and the special needs communities to work together. This type of collaboration is strengthened when the ground work is established before an emergency takes place.”
The CEPIN vlog highlights the efforts that are underway to train both communities to collaborate. CEPIN offers AWR-186: Emergency Responders and the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Communitycourse. CEPIN is also developing an online course for emergency responders and special needs communities. This self-paced, online course should be released in late 2010.
During this vlog, Neil also discusses the upcoming Inclusive Hurricane Preparedness Conference in Biloxi, Mississippi, April 28-29, 2010. This conference is co-sponsored by CEPIN and a host of other organizations that are dedicated to impacting the effects of hurricanes through preparation. FEMA’s Administrator, Craig Fugate, will deliver the keynote address during this conference..
To watch the vlog and learn more about the work that CEPIN has done, visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=07vh5leYYkY&feature=channel.
- Thanks to TDI
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