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CONTACT:
Marc LaFountain, VDEM (804) 897-6510
FOR RELEASE AT WILL - May 17, 2007
Richmond, Va. - It is vital that every Virginian understand something about a hurricane: It could happen to you. In fact, forecasters predict that the 2007 hurricane season will bring up to 17 named storms to the Atlantic, with a 50 percent chance that at least one major hurricane will hit the East Coast. Yet, surveys show that people in Virginia are no better prepared today than they were when Katrina struck the Gulf Coast two years ago.
"Hurricanes continue to be one of Virginia's greatest disaster threats, and now is the time to get ready," said Michael Cline, state coordinator for the Virginia Department of Emergency Management. "It could happen to you, and there are simple, low-cost steps families can take to get ready: get a kit, make a plan, listen for instructions and learn your evacuation routes."
Getting an emergency supply kit, making a family disaster plan, listening for the latest information and learning evacuation routes take little time and money, but they will provide your family with the tools and information they need when it counts. An emergency supply kit includes essential items to last at least three days such as a battery-powered radio and extra batteries, food and water, flashlights, a first aid kit and medications.
Making a family disaster plan involves discussing the hazards and threats for your area and what your family would do during an actual emergency. As you create your plan, decide on a meeting place if your family cannot return home, designate an out-of-town friend or relative as a point-of-contact and plan for the specific needs of your household, such as an evacuation shelter for pets or transportation for medical equipment.
Before, during and after a disaster, it is critical that you listen for the most local, up-to-date information from emergency officials. Local media will convey instructions from local, state and federal government partners, such as details about evacuation orders, how to safely stay where you are and when the emergency has passed.
Coastal residents should become familiar with their designated evacuation routes and know where they will go if ordered to evacuate. City or county officials will issue a standard evacuation order if conditions warrant it.
Detailed instructions on emergency supply kits and family disaster plans are available online at VDEM's Web site, www.vaemergency.com or through your local emergency manager. Members of the media can also find hurricane fact sheets, public service announcements, and other information on the Web site.
Even when hurricanes make landfall in other states, they can still cause significant damage and loss of life in Virginia; in fact, some of the worst storms in Virginia's history were from hurricanes that made landfall in other states. Tropical storms or depressions can be just as damaging or deadly as a hurricane. Hurricane Isabel was a tropical storm when it entered Virginia, and caused damage to 75 percent of the state, making it one of the costliest disasters in Virginia's history.
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