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Virginia Department of Emergency Management
10501 Trade Court, Richmond, VA 23236
CONTACT: Laura Southard (804) 897-6510
laura.southard@vdem.virginia.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - July 22, 2009
RICHMOND, VA – The Virginia Department of Transportation, the Hampton Roads Emergency Management Committee and the Virginia Department of Emergency Management have redesigned the Virginia Hurricane Guide. As part of the Ready Virginia public information campaign, the guide contains essential hurricane season information, such as evacuation routes, traffic reversal plans along Interstate 64, bridge/tunnel/ferry closure plans in the Hampton Roads area and family preparedness.
New sections of the guide explain staying in place vs. evacuation, the importance of storm surge, and how public shelters are designed to help evacuees. The revised evacuation route section clarifies that I-64 is only one of many evacuation routes, and the guide gives detailed instruction about how to make a family emergency plan, get an emergency supply kit and stay informed during emergencies.
“The new hurricane guide offers information to help any Virginian prepare their family for hurricane season,” said Michael Cline, state coordinator for VDEM. “It is important that anyone at risk for either coastal or inland flooding understands what to do when tropical storms threaten their area.”
For the 2009 hurricane season, 250,000 copies of the guide were printed; most will be distributed by state and local agencies, private businesses and nonprofit organizations. Any organization interested in distributing the guides should contact the VDEM Public Affairs Office at (866) 782-3470. An interactive, Web-based version is also available at www.ReadyVirginia.gov. A federal homeland security grant paid for the printing costs.
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