Virginia Tidewater Area
Severe Weather Safety Guide
This guide has been produced tooffer guidance and information on how you and your family should prepare for and, if necessary, live through a Hurricane, Tropical Storm or Severe Weather Phenomena that hits the Tidewater area of Virginia, USA.
Now is the right time to prepare for such an event, notwhen it is 72 hours away.
We ask you to take time to read through this information and,by taking steps that are appropriate to your particular circumstances, you will ensure that you are prepared and best equipped to deal with any severe weather storm.
Risk Area
It is a well-known fact that the Virginia Tidewater area is susceptible to severe weather phenomena, with most of us already having experienced hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes & flooding. Without doubt, these destructive weather patterns are sufficiently volatile to endanger life and/or damage property. Although severe weather can occur at any time throughout the year, analyses of meteorological and oceanographic data for the Hampton Roads area indicate the most serious threat comes from hurricanes & tropical storms and are most likely to occur during the annual hurricane season between 1 Jun - 30 Nov, with August and September proving to be the most active periods.
The National Hurricane Center classifies hurricanes according to their potential for producing extensive damage on a scale of 1 to 5. Much of the damage caused by a hurricane is a result of a "storm surge"; a large dome of water pushed up in advance of a hurricane prior to making landfall. This dome of water can exceed 20 feet depending upon the strength of the hurricane and tide conditions.
TYPE / CATEGORY / WINDS (MPH) / SURGETropical Storm / - / 39 - 73 / -
Hurricane / 1 / 74 - 95 / 4 - 5 Feet
Hurricane / 2 / 96 - 110 / 6 - 8 Feet
Hurricane / 3 / 111 - 130 / 9 - 12 Feet
Hurricane / 4 / 131 - 155 / 13 - 18 Feet
Hurricane / 5 / >155 / > 18 Feet
Storm Surge Inundation Map
This map indicates the projected hurricane storm surge flooding along coastal areas.
Every resident in the Hampton Roads area needs to know the risk of storm-surge flooding. The threat of storm surge is the reason emergency officials would order an evacuation. An evacuation order does not mean that everyone needs to leave in order to stay safe. Local officials will announce the exact areas where people need to evacuate. If emergency officials order an evacuation for your area, leave immediately and when you can, contact the NASG(TW) Support staff and let them know that you are safe and where you are staying and how you can be contacted. Please remember that telephone lines may be down and making local calls may be difficult.
"Preventing the loss of life and minimizing the damage to property from hurricanes are responsibilities that are shared by all."
So are you ready? Let’s find out…….
Family safety
If you live in a storm surge area, especially those housed near the coast, make sure you have a plan in place detailing where you are likely to relocate to should the evacuation order be given and by what route you will get there.
It is likely that some public utilities will fail during a weather storm and it may take a number of days before utilities can be restored. Loss of electricity is not necessarily a reason to move your family from the home, however, if sanitation is compromised, serious consideration needs to be given to finding alternative accommodation.
Give consideration to purchasing a generator. Have you taken out insurance?
Supplies
Since we live in an area that is vulnerable to hurricanes, it is a good idea to set aside certain supplies at home throughout the year in preparation for major emergencies or disasters. After a hurricane watch is issued, there is usually a very high demand and short supply of many items.
For example, a basic hurricane preparedness kit would include the following:
oWater – at least 1 gallon daily per person for 3 to 7 days
oFood – at least enough for 3 to 7 days to includenon-perishable packaged or canned food / juices, non-electric can opener,cooking tools/fuel,paper plates/plastic utensils, etc.
oMedical – First Aid Kit ,medicines to include necessaryprescription drugs
oHygiene – Toiletries,moisture wipesor otheritems to maintain cleanliness
oFlashlight / Radio – Battery operated, candles or kerosene lamps
oTelephones – Fully charged cell phone and a traditional (not cordless) telephone set
oCash– Banks and ATMs may not be available for extended periods
oEntertainment – Toys, Books, Games
oVehicle fuel tanks filled
oPet care –ample supply of food and water, a carrier or cage, muzzle and leash.
If you stay at home
The decision to stay at home is not an easy one. If you are in a coastal area or are in an area prone to flooding, you may be placing yourself and your family in great risk. But if you do decide to stay at home, here is a list of things to do:
Stay indoors within an inner room on the lowest level away from doors and windows; move furniture away from exposed doors and windows.
Do not go out in the brief calm during passage of the hurricane eye. The lull sometimes ends suddenly and winds return from the opposite direction. Winds can increase in seconds to 75 mph or more.
If power is lost, turn off major appliances to reduce power "surge" when electricity is restored.
Protect your property from damage without taking any unnecessary risks. Temporary repairs may reduce further losses from wind and water, but be careful!
Keep a continuous communications watch: keep radio or television tuned to receive information from official sources. Unexpected changes can sometimes call for last minute relocations.
Remain calm! Your ability to cope with emergencies will help other members of your family. Stay calm, reassuring and use common sense. Use the telephone or cellular phones only in the event of an emergency or life-threatening situation.
If you evacuate
If State authorities order an evacuation, the appropriate military commands will do the same. Regardless of whether an evacuation is ordered or you make the decision to move your family for their safety, the following action items are suggested:
Know where you are going and leave early, providing sufficient time to avoid heavy evacuation traffic. Evacuate in daylight if possible with a full tank of gas. Take only your most valuable possessions with you; otherwise place them in high points away from flooding within your home. Listen to your car radio for additional emergency information or evacuation routing problems.
Secure your home by unplugging appliances and turning off electricity and the main water valve.
Inform the NASG(TW) Support Staff where you are going and how to get in contact with you.
If time permits, and you live in an identified surge zone, elevate furniture to protect it from flooding or better yet, move it to a higher floor.
Bring pre-assembled emergency supplies and warm protective clothing. Ensure you have blankets and sleeping bags in the vehicle. Lock up the home and leave.
IF IN DOUBT, GET OUT!
Evacuation routes
If you decide to evacuate the local area, the following 2 routes inland are recommended.
I264/Route 58 West towards Suffolk.
I64 North towards Richmond.
Communications
Telephone & Cellular Phone Communications
Make only emergency telephone calls. Keep all calls brief. Report emergencies to 911. Be respectful of the fact that emergency agencies and others involved with life or death emergencies will need to use the communications systems. Telephone and cellular phone services will either fail or become overloaded during a major emergency or disaster. Be prepared not to have services available.
Maintaining Contact
If your planned evacuation location changes before, during or after a hurricane, please ensure that you keep the NASG(TW) Support Staff informed. Constantly monitor sources of information before, during and after a hurricane for instructions on returning to evacuated areas and guidance on returning to work.
BayBrits website
For as long as internet services are available, the BayBrits website will be maintained and will provide updated information on evacuation orders, contact information and guidance on returning to work.
Returning after severe weather
If you evacuated your home after an evacuation order was issued, delay return until authorized or when recommended by local authorities or military Commander. It is recognized that if extensive hurricane damage in the Hampton Roads area takes place, you may be pre-occupied with re-establishing your home and situating your family. It may be difficult or perhaps impossible for you to report to work immediately on a full time basis.
Checklist on returning
Beware of outside hazards: Watch out for loose or dangling power lines. Many lives are lost by electrocution! Treat all downed lines as live wires and do not touch them. Report the fallen power lines to your local power company or police. Stay inside your car if a wire is touching it, and wait for help to arrive.
Walk or drive cautiously: debris-filled streets are dangerous. Use hard-soled shoes. Poisonous snakes and rodents may be a hazard. Washouts may weaken roads and bridge structures that may collapse under vehicle weight.
Guard against spoiled food: Food may spoil if refrigerator power is off for more than a few hours. Freezers will keep food for several days, if doors are not opened after power failure. Do not refreeze food once it begins to thaw.
Do not use water until safe: Use your emergency supply or boil water before drinking until officials declare the water safe. Check with your local health department or emergency management agency regarding water purification procedures. Report broken water or sewer mains to proper authorities.
Loss of electrical power: If you and others have lost power, call Dominion Virginia Power using 1-866-DOM-HELP (1-866-366-4357). Give your name, address and the general area of the outage. If the line is busy, try again later. A busy signal means others are also reporting outages. Leave a light on so you will know when power is restored.
Reimbursements
If you are ordered to vacate you home, you will be able to claim back hotel charges.
Should you choose to leave your home and find alternative accommodation, under certain circumstances the Embassy may approve reimbursement of your hotel costs. For example, if you lose services such as sanitation or you have an infant and the loss of utilities leaves you with no choice but to vacate to a hotel, under these circumstances the Embassy would look favorably on your case for submitting a claim.
Please remember to retain all receipts. These will be needed when submitting a claim.
The responsibility to evacuate ultimately lies with you and your family.
Their and your safety is the most important thing to consider, even though you may not be entitled to reclaim the costs it takes to preserve it!
Local Services/Utilities Contact Information
Police, fire, rescue: 911
Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach Line: 427-3580; then press:
• evacuation information, 492
• drinking water tips, 513
• hurricane terms, 625
• hurricane preparedness, 626
• information on basic supplies, 628
• after the hurricane, 632
• hurricane bulletins, 633
• shelter information, 630
• Public information: 427-4111
VA Pilot Emergency Infoline: 640-5555, 1237
Norfolk
Norfolk City Line: 664-4010
Police Non-emergency information: 441-5600
Portsmouth
Emergency Services office: 393-8551
City information: 393-8432
Chesapeake
Office of Emergency Services: 547-6464
Suffolk
Police: 925-6415; at night, 925-6350
Information: 934-3111
Emergency Services: 925-6414
Electricity
Virginia Power: 858-4660
Dominion Power 1-866-DOM-HELP (1-866-366-4357)
Natural Gas
Virginia Natural Gas: 466-5550; after 5 p.m., call 466-5500
Suffolk: 539-2376; after 5 p.m., call 873-6200
Hampton: 873-1322; after 5 p.m., call 873-6200
Newport News: 873-6200
Commonwealth Gas: 399-3961 or 1-800-544-5606
Telephones
Bell Atlantic of Virginia: 611
GTE-Virginia: 1-800-483-1000
Cox communications support 757) 224-1111
Water/Sewage
Utility Recovery systems: (317) 356-8980
Traffic
Highway Helpline: 1-800-367-7623
Info line: 640-5555, press 7874
Insurance Claims
National Insurance Consumer Helpline: 1-800-942-4242
Virginia State Corporation Commission consumer hotline: 1-800-552-7945.
Pets
SPCA of Virginia Beach: 427-0070
Norfolk SPCA: 622-3319
Useful Websites
Virginia Hurricane Evacuation Guide:
Hurricane Shelters in South Hampton Roads:
NASG Tidewater Det Team
Duty Mobile (24hr)001 757 232 6633
Thank you for taking the time to read the Tidewater Severe Weather guide, we hope that it has provided you with useful information and will enable you and your family to remain safe, calm and prepared for such events in the future.