Thursday, June 2, 2016

2016 Hurricane Season

It’s June 2nd and though the skies may be clear now and the seas calm, June 1st is the official start of hurricane season, the start of six months of keeping one eye on the weather at all times. Hurricane season extends from June 1st to November 30th each year. The likelihood of Richmond experiencing a hurricane grows to a peak in the late summer months of August and into September. Advances in technology allow meteorologists to predict with greater accuracy the projected path and severity of these massive storms. Hurricanes that make landfall and impact the Richmond metro area may not be as strong as when they hit the coast but can still bring heavy rains, flooding, strong winds, and even tornados. In addition to the potential flooding, this impact can still cause significant damage to include large numbers downed trees resulting in massive long term power outages and damage to homes and other property.

The 2016 Atlantic Hurricane season is expected to be the most active since 2012. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) outlook called for a near normal season with 10-16 named storms, with four to eight hurricanes and one to four “major” ones with winds reaching 111 mph and up. The long term season averages are 12 named storms, with six hurricanes and three major ones. Learn more: http://www.noaa.gov/

Now is the time to:

  • • Review plans and procedures including response and individual agency emergency action plans and continuity of operations (COOP) plans
  • • Check critical equipment and supplies
  • • Backup critical data and address how to protect vital records
  • • What critical resources will you need to maintain a service level

Additionally, here are some tips to provide to family, friends and neighbors:

  • • Build an emergency kit for 72 hours with water, food, flashlight, battery-powered radio, first aid kit, medications, copies of important papers, extra cash among other items
  • • Talk with members of your household about an evacuation plan and practice it before an emergency
  • • Be informed
  • • Learn more: http://www.readyvirginia.gov/

Remember it only takes one! So let’s ensure our departments as well as families are ready this hurricane season. The Central Virginia Emergency Management Alliance is hosting Survivor Day at multiple locations in Central Virginia to help citizens prepare. For more information and to sign up, please follow this link: http://www.survivorday.com/home.php

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