RVA Emergency Management
Featured stories on this blog will include history of disasters, tips on preparedness, and advice on what to expect during an emergency or disaster.
Friday, June 1, 2018
2018 Hurricane Season
Monday, May 7, 2018
Spring Weather Edition
- Flooding can happen in many parts of all 50 states and during any time of the year
- You should take extra steps to be prepared if you live in a low-lying area near a body of water or downstream from a dam or levee.
- Flooding can occur in several ways
- Rivers cannot contain excessive rain, or the rain cannot be fully absorbed into the ground
- Waterways are blocked, or water containment systems fail
- Strong storm systems cause storm surges pushing water inland
- The speed and duration of flooding can vary, it can occur very quickly (flash floods) or it can occur slowly as rain falls over many days.
- It is important to understand your flood risks. Talk to your insurance agent about flood insurance, as standard insurance policies do NOT cover flood damage.
- Have an evacuation plan. If you live in a low-lying area that may be at risk for flooding you should know where you’ll go during an evacuation.
- Have an emergency kit with three days of essential supplies, medication, and important documents
- Know how to stay informed! There are several ways you can stay informed of weather emergencies in your area.
- Download a weather app on your phone and check weather frequently to be aware of hazardous weather before it happens
- Purchase a NOAA Weather Radio to receive weather alerts at home
- Sign up for alerts from the National Weather Service and Richmond’s Code Red Emergency Alert System
- Tune in to WRIR 97.3 FM during an emergency for official information
- Download a weather app on your phone and check weather frequently to be aware of hazardous weather before it happens
- Purchase a NOAA Weather Radio to receive weather alerts at home
- Sign up for emergency alerts from official government sources
- Tune in to WRIR 97.3 FM for official information during an emergency
- Identify safe rooms at home, at school, and at work so you know where to take shelter. These rooms should be on the lowest level of the building and as far away from windows and exterior walls as possible. Get down low and protect your head.
- If you’re in a vehicle, buckle your seatbelt and keep your head down with your head covered. Do not try to seek shelter under a bridge.
- If you’re not in a vehicle or building, seek shelter in a ditch. Lie down and cover your head.
- Stay sheltered until the all-clear is given by your local officials
Tuesday, October 24, 2017
Hurricane Season is not over yet!
- Listen to NOAA Weather Radio or to commercial radio or television newscasts for the latest information. In any emergency, always listen to the instructions given by local emergency management officials.
- Be alert to changing weather conditions. Look for approaching storms.
- Look for the following danger signs:
- Dark, often greenish sky
- Large hail
- A large, dark, low-lying cloud (particularly if rotating)
- Loud roar, similar to a freight train.
- If you see approaching storms or any of the danger signs, be prepared to take shelter immediately.
- They may strike quickly, with little or no warning.
- They may appear nearly transparent until dust and debris are picked up or a cloud forms in the funnel.
- The average tornado moves Southwest to Northeast, but tornadoes have been known to move in any direction.
- The average forward speed of a tornado is 30 mph, but may vary from stationary to 70 mph.
- Tornadoes can accompany tropical storms and hurricanes as they move onto land.
- Waterspouts are tornadoes that form over water.
- Tornadoes are most frequently reported east of the Rocky Mountains during spring and summer months.
- Peak tornado season in the southern states is March through May; in the northern states, it is late spring through early summer.
- Tornadoes are most likely to occur between 3 pm and 9 pm, but can occur at any time.
- Know where to go. If you are ordered to evacuate, know the local hurricane evacuation route(s) to take and have a plan for where you can stay. Contact your local emergency management agency for more information.
- Put together a disaster supply kit, including a flashlight, batteries, cash, first aid supplies, and copies of your critical information if you need to evacuate
- If you are not in an area that is advised to evacuate and you decide to stay in your home, plan for adequate supplies in case you lose power and water for several days and you are not able to leave due to flooding or blocked roads.
- Make a family emergency communication plan.
- Many communities have text or email alerting systems for emergency notifications.To find out what alerts are available in your area, search the Internet with your town, city, or county name and the word “alerts.”
- Review your evacuation route(s) & listen to local officials.
- Review the items in your disaster supply kit; and add items to meet the household needs for children, parents, individuals with disabilities or other access and functional needs or pets.
- Follow evacuation orders from local officials, if given.
- Check-in with family and friends by texting or using social media.
- Follow the hurricane timeline preparedness checklist, depending on when the storm is anticipated to hit and the impact that is projected for your location.
- Know your hurricane risk. Talk to your local emergency management agency.
- Make an emergency plan.
- Build or restock your basic disaster supplies kit, including food and water, a flashlight, batteries, chargers, cash, and first aid supplies.
- Consider buying flood insurance.
- Familiarize yourself with local emergency plans. Know where to go and how to get there should you need to get to higher ground or to evacuate.
- Stay tuned to local wireless emergency alerts, TV, or radio for weather updates, emergency instructions, or evacuation orders.
Tuesday, May 9, 2017
Hurricane Season Starts June 1st
While hurricanes can develop anytime, it is during the late summer months into the fall that hurricanes are most likely to effect the east coast. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration(NOAA) is forecasting 4 hurricanes this season which includes 1-2 storms classified as major. While this season is predicted to be below average it only takes one hurricane to devastate a community. It is important to remember hurricanes result in power outages from damaging winds and falling trees. For inland communities like Richmond, flooding is the biggest threat. Richmond has adopted strategies to lessen the impact of rising river water and localized flooding but it is equally important to understand the responsibilities of residents.
Pay attention to the forecasts, hurricanes change strength and direction frequently resulting in often changing areas of impact. Remember that hurricanes don’t have to make a direct hit for communities to experience heavy rains and damaging winds. Understand the risk of flooding at your home and work including your daily commute and consider learning alternative routes.
For more information on hurricanes go to NOAA’s Tropical Cyclone Guide: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/os/hurricane/resources/TropicalCyclones11.pdf
Watch this video from the National Hurricane Center on Inland Flooding: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omJoz2u3rZI
Post Gaston 2004 Shockoe Bottom
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