Governor Warner Declares State of Emergency to Prepare for Ophelia
Governor Warner Declares State of Emergency to Prepare for Ophelia
Also updates efforts to assist Hurricane Katrina evacuees
Governor Mark R. Warner declared a State of Emergency today, directing state agencies to take all reasonable actions necessary to protect the health and safety of Virginians, and directing the public to prepare for the potentially damaging effects of Tropical Storm Ophelia.
"No one needs to be told that hurricanes and tropical storms can cause significant damage," Governor Warner said. "Our state and local emergency management professionals have been hard at work for two weeks now, coordinating our response to the significant needs of the residents of the Gulf Coast states hit by Hurricane Katrina. But it is very important that Virginia residents and businesses, especially those in Hampton Roads, make sure they are fully prepared for Ophelia - including the possibility of heavy rain, high winds, tornadoes and the potential loss of power."
Virginia is already under a State of Emergency to help provide a response to Hurricane Katrina. This declaration also allows state agencies to take actions specific to Ophelia. The Virginia Department of Emergency Management is working with local governments and other state agencies to ensure that all necessary preparations are taken.
The exact forecast track is uncertain, but the latest information from the National Weather Service indicates Ophelia is expected to move across the Outer Banks of North Carolina and then to the east of southeastern Virginia on Wednesday night and into Thursday morning. Forecasters say tropical storm force winds of 40-50 miles per hour can be expected across southeastern Virginia for a six-to-ten hour period. Rainfall amounts of 1-3 inches can be expected, mainly in an area east of Interstate 95, according to the latest information from the National Weather Service.
Update on Katrina Evacuees
Virginia chapters of the American Red Cross have reported assisting 3,949 individuals who evacuated from the Gulf Coast region. The Federal Emergency Management Agency reports 3,038 families have provided a current Virginia address when registering for Katrina-related tracking and assistance. They may be sheltering with friends, family, or staying at a hotel - or they may have simply provided a Virginia address to receive information and assistance.
Because of the uncertainty surrounding the impact of Tropical Storm Ophelia, the organized evacuation of large numbers of Gulf Coast state residents to any mid Atlantic state, including Virginia's intake and temporary shelter facility at Fort Pickett near Blackstone, has been temporarily suspended. The state is prepared to assist up to 1,000 individuals at a time at Fort Pickett and an additional 400 people at the nearby Virginia United Methodist Assembly Center.
Additionally, living space for approximately 1,600 individuals has been identified at 4-H camps, college dormitories, and church retreats. Local, state, faith-based and non-profit groups have also identified thousands of individual homes or other properties that could be tapped for longer-term housing options for evacuees, including 1,600 hotel rooms offered today by members of the Virginia Hospitality & Travel Association.
Finally, the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced today that it has approved Governor Warner's request for 100% federal reimbursement of state and local government expenses incurred in the Hurricane Katrina evacuation.
For more information about disaster preparedness, go to www.vaemergency.com.
http://www.governor.virginia.gov/Press_Policy/Releases/2005/Sep05/0912.htm