State of emergency
Gov. Timothy Kaine has requested a federal disaster declaration for 13 Virginia localities in response to flooding, mudslides, tornadoes and high winds that have affected the Commonwealth beginning June 23. Based on initial reports from localities, more than 1,600 homes were damaged, and more than 170 of those homes have been rendered temporarily or permanently uninhabitable. More than 23,000 homes do not have power. Initial damage assessment reports indicate nearly $13 million in damage to government property. A full damage assessment is currently underway.

The governor requested:

• Both Individual Assistance and Public Assistance for the counties of Alleghany, Arlington and Fairfax and the cities of Alexandria and Salem.
• Individual Assistance for the counties of Augusta, Botetourt and Montgomery.
• Public Assistance for the counties of Bath, Dickenson, Highland, King George and Rockbridge.

Flood recovery safety tips and situation reports are available on VDEM’s Web site. Information about individual and public assistance are available online from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Virginia's State Homeland Security Strategy approved
The Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Grants and Training has approved Virginia’s State Homeland Security Strategy, meaning that the Commonwealth's strategy is in alignment with the National Preparedness Goal. The Secure Commonwealth Panel developed the strategy and updates it every two years. The panel was established to help develop Commonwealth Security policy and to monitor and assess the implementation of statewide prevention, response and recovery initiatives in the Commonwealth. It reviewed all legislation, code, policies, plans, priorities, directives, systems, goals and initiatives that will influence all-hazard preparedness activities over the next five years. The strategy is a guide for local, state and federal governments, the private sector and citizens to develop more specific preparedness plans in their communities, agencies, organizations and households. Each locality and state agency that receives homeland security grant funds must comply with spending guidelines and performance measures outlined in the strategy. These performance measures ensure that funding for risk-management initiatives is used efficiently and yields the intended results.

Legislation for faith-based organizations during emergencies
Gov. Timothy M. Kaine signed legislation that establishes an orderly process to coordinate assistance offered by faith-based, volunteer, private and community organizations during times of emergency or natural disaster. House Bill 1213 and Senate Bill 730 direct the Department of Social Services to coordinate offers of assistance concerning materials, temporary housing or volunteer manpower from these organizations and, among other things, to:

• Lead and facilitate meetings with organizations to help carry out human welfare programs in Virginia;
• Encourage conferences and meetings at the community level for such organizations; and
• Provide procurement and funding information as needed.

The full text of the law is available on the Virginia General Assembly's Legislative Information System.

Hurricane plan updated
The Commonwealth of Virginia Hurricane Emergency Response Plan has been updated to reflect changes in policy and procedures and lessons learned from hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The plan’s purpose is to assist local emergency managers in their emergency planning by:

• Providing a sound basis for hurricane-oriented emergency programs;
• Establishing organizational and operational concepts and procedures designed to minimize the loss of life and property; and
• Expediting restoration of essential services following a major hurricane.

The complete text of the plan is available online.

Training...
Continuity of Operations Planning training videos available
"How to Develop a Continuity of Operations Plan Using the VDEM COOP Planning Manual" video files are now available for download. The videos are designed to accompany training slides in PDF format, also available for download on VDEM's online COOP Toolkit. The Toolkit also includes:

• The planning manual, with worksheets and templates;
• Information for additional funding toward planning; and
• An activities overview of the COOP steering committee, made up of state agency representatives who manage the COOP program through assessing opportunities, coordinating exercises and monitoring legal requirements.

Produced by the Virginia Department of Emergency Management
10501 Trade Court, Richmond, Virginia 23236