hurricane alert
UPDATE - Friday, 8/26/11, 11:30 a.m.
A Hurricane Irene Update from Hampton Mayor Ward 
 
Mandatory evacuation of low lying areas

 

Mayor Ward has created a video message for Hampton residents discussing the impending effects of Hurricane Irene. Watch it here.  

  

Hampton has issued mandatory evacuations

 

Hampton has issued mandatory evacuations for everyone who lives in a low-lying area that would flood in a Category 1 hurricane.

 

Those areas include neighborhoods in and around: Grandview/Beach Road, Harris Creek, Buckroe Beach, Southwest Branch of the Back River, Hampton River, Tidemill Creek, Indian Creek, Newmarket Creek, and as well as any other area prone to flooding. If you live in these areas and do not evacuate, the City will not be able to send rescue teams in during the storm.

 

Residents can check the city flood maps at www.hampton.gov; click on the hurricane update banner and follow the link at the bottom. GIS maps are searchable and address-specific.

 

The city will open a shelter at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 26, at Bethel High School, 1067 Big Bethel Road. Residents should bring any medications or special needs equipment; air mattresses, blankets and pillows; diapers, toys, games and books for children; food; and water (recommended 1 gallon per person per day). Pets will be accepted; owners should bring a cage or crate, food and water, and medications.

Additional shelters will be opened if needed.

 

Residents can get Hampton-specific information by:

 

From York County Board of Supervisors Chair
George S. Hrichak 

 

In anticipation of the approach of Hurricane Irene, York County has opened a Hurricane Hotline.Citizens are now encouraged to call 890-3674 if they have questions about the storm.

Virginia Natural Gas Customers

  • * If customers smell gas, immediately leave the affected area and call the 24-hour emergency response line, at 1-877-572-3342 from a safe location. Residents should never try to identify the source of a leak themselves. Do not use a cellular phone or anything that might cause a spark, such as a generator.
  • * Virginia Natural Gas customers are advised to leave their natural gas service on during a hurricane. Most gas appliances have safety valves that shut off the flow of gas automatically if the pilot light goes out.
  • * If flooding occurs at a residence or business and the gas appliances are under water, do not try to operate the appliances. Contact Virginia Natural Gas or a qualified service professional to conduct a safety inspection.
  • * Customers are encouraged to know where their natural gas meter is located. Ensure the gas meter is visible, and the area surrounding the meter is free of trash and debris. Mechanical equipment used after the storm to clean-up a location may damage the meter if it is hidden.
  • * Before removing downed trees, customers are asked to dial the Call-Before-You-Dig hotline at 8-1-1 to have the location of underground utility lines marked. The service lines could become tangled in the roots of downed trees.
  • * If a natural gas meter is damaged or gas line is exposed, immediately leave the area and call Virginia Natural Gas 24-hour emergency response number 1-877-572-3342.
  • * Virginia Natural Gas customers experiencing a natural gas outage or service interruption should contact the company's 24-hour emergency response number 1-877-572-3342. Customers will be restored as quickly as possible once the area is deemed safe.
  • * For additional information on how to stay safe during severe weather, visit www.virginianaturalgas.com/BePrepared.
Dominion Virginia Power Customers
  • * Dominion reminds its customers to call toll free 1-866-DOM-HELP (1-866-366-4357) in the event of outages or downed lines. The company's outage reporting system, which consists of call-center representatives as well as an automated voice response unit, can handle up to 100,000 calls an hour. Using the voice response unit is the quickest way to report an outage or downed power line.
  • * Dominion will update its website, www.dom.com, with information about the storm. A Twitter feed (@domvapower) and Facebook page (Dominion Virginia Power) also are available.
  • * Dominion urges its customers to pay attention to weather reports and to take these common-sense steps to prepare for possible outages:
  • * Before a storm arrives, establish an online account with Dominion at www.dom.com (keyword: MYA) so you can easily report an outage if it occurs and obtain outage updates online without having to call in (keyword: reporting outages).
  • * Also be sure the telephone number and other information related to your account are up to date. This includes providing a cell phone number if that is the phone you would use to report an outage or other problem. This simple step will ensure immediate access of your account for faster reporting without having to speak to someone. Phone numbers can be updated online or by calling our special phone number update line at 1-800-222-0401.
  • * Have emergency supplies such as water, flashlights, radios, extra batteries, medicine, cash and other critical items stashed away beforehand.
  • * Have a plan for how you and your family will stay safe, how you will evacuate if necessary and where you might go. Also consider who else you might need to check on during an emergency.
  • * Stay informed during the emergency through news reports and official information.
During the storm, if electricity is interrupted
    • * Turn off major appliances such as heat pumps, water heaters and stoves. Unplug other appliances such as TVs, stereos, microwaves and computers. This will prevent damage to appliances and possible overloads to the company's system when power is restored.
    • * Post a list of contents on your freezer door to minimize the number of times you open it.
    • * Leave one lamp or light on so you will be able to recognize when power is restored.
    • * If using portable or camp-type stoves or lanterns for cooking and lighting, ensure that the area is adequately ventilated.

 

After the storm

 

  • * Listen to your local radio station on your car or battery-powered radio for regular news and weather updates. Don't rely on your neighbors to report your outage. Call Dominion at 1-866-DOM-HELP (1-866-366-4357).
  • * Stay away from fallen wires, flooded areas and debris. Treat all fallen wires and anything touching them as though they are energized.
  • * Follow safe operating procedures for generators. Never operate one inside your home or in an enclosed space, such as a garage.
  • * Do not connect portable generators directly to the electrical system of your home. Electricity could flow backward onto Dominion's power lines and endanger lives. Either have a qualified electrician perform the work or plug appliances directly into the generator using the proper-sized extension cords.
  • * Exhaust fumes contain carbon monoxide and can be deadly, so run your generator outside with proper ventilation. Store the fuel for your generator safely.
  • * Visually inspect the area around your electricity meter. If you detect or suspect any damage, call us at 1-866-DOM-HELP.
York County's Home Check Program
  • *
    If you are planning to evacuate the area during the hurricane, I suggest you use the Sheriff's "Vacation House Check Program."
  • *
    Log on to the County website and complete form here: http://www.yorkcounty.gov/Default.aspx?tabid=5698
  • *
    Under normal conditions, a Sheriff's Deputy will routinely go by your house to ensure it is secured. However, during a large area emergency situation such hurricane, the Sheriff's Office may be preoccupied with more pressing matters and will most likely not check your house. However, by registering your absence with the program, the Sheriff's Office will know how to contact you, if the need arises.
York County Opens Several County Parking Lots for Public Parking Needs
  • *
    The following parking lots will be open for parking any vehicles, RVs, trailers, boats, etc:
  - Seaford Elementary School
  - Mt. Vernon Elementary School
  - Waller Mill Elementary School
  - Kiln Creek Park
  - York County Sports Complex
  - York/Poquoson Court House
  • *
    Please note that parking in these lots is at the property owner's own risk. The county and the York County School Division take no responsibility for any vehicles left in these lots, and these lots will not be staffed or monitored.
  • *
    Long-term parking in all other county and school parking lots is prohibited as those areas may be used for emergency operations or sheltering needs.
  • *
    For more information, contact the Public Information Office at 890-3300.

Quick Tips: 

  • Establish an evacuation plan
  • Take an interior and exterior picture of your home and property
  • Tie down loose property outside of home
  • Store garden furniture
  • Plenty of batteries
  • Cash/Credit Cards
  • Copies of Important Documents 
  • Battery powered flash light
  • Sanitary Items
  • Water
  • Extra set of car and home keys
Click here for detailed pre and post hurricane resources.... 

 

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