[SMCARA] Virginia Declares State of Emergency - Hurricane Ophelia

[Bill Merritt]

Get set for the next one.   Charge your batteries and fill the water jugs.

Bill Merritt
MerrittWS at Earthlink.net
KB4QAA /3  Amateur Extra
Jefferson 552, VA Wing CAP

-----Original Message-----
From: VDEM Public Affairs Office [mailto:pio at vdem.virginia.gov]
Sent: Monday, 12 September, 2005 16:54
To: bats at erols.com
Subject: VDEM Flash News: Governor Warner Declares State of Emergency

Date: Sept. 12, 2005                   

Contact:
Kevin Hall/Governor's Office
804) 225-4260
cell: (804) 393-9406

Bob Spieldenner/VDEM
804) 225-4260

 GOVERNOR WARNER DECLARES STATE OF EMERGENCY TO
              PREPARE FOR OPHELIA
   ~Also updates efforts to assist Hurricane
               Katrina evacuees~

BLACKSTONE, Va. - 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.
In addition, local, state, faith-based and non-profit groups have 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.

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