Hurricane Irene is expected to begin affecting the Richmond area early Saturday morning. As the day progresses however, and depending on the path of the storm, the National Weather Service is forecasting sustained winds anywhere from 20 mph to 60 mph. A tropical storm warning is currently in effect. In some areas of Virginia, it is projected that this storm may be as severe or worse than Hurricane Isabel in 2003.
While Richmond City and Chesterfield County currently have no orders to evacuate, with strong winds and heavy rains, the chance of power loss and loss of other utilities is high. Virginia has been placed in a state of emergency and extra crews have been put in place to deal with the possible consequences of this storm.
Here are some ways you can help keep yourself and your property safe
• Prepare to be without power by having a weather radio or other battery powered radio available to listen for information. Charge your cell phone and lap top and use them sparingly in case of loss of power. Keep plenty of batteries available and have flashlights ready and charged.
• Store enough water to drink and to flush the toilet in the event that we lose water or it becomes contaminated. Even if water is still running, listen for information regarding the water safety. Have non-perishable food available in case of loss of power or cooking gas.
• If you live in a less well-built home or a mobile home, head for a sturdier structure before the storm hits.
• Dominion Power suggests updating your account with the phone number you plan to use when reporting your outage. This step will ensure immediate access of your account for faster reporting without having to speak to someone. Phone numbers can be updated on-line or by calling 1-800-222-0401. To report an outage, call 1-866-DOM-HELP.
Dominion power provides an online map showing the location of all power outages that you can check:
http://outagemap.dom.com/DomComFlexOutageViewer/index.html
Here is a link with helpful information from Dominion:
http://dom.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=1018
During the storm if your power is interuppted, here are some practical tips:
• 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.
• Frozen food can last up to three days. It is safe to eat if it still has ice crystals at the center.
• If using portable or camp-type stoves or lanterns for cooking and lighting, ensure that the area is adequately ventilated.
• Have at least one week of your regular medications on hand in the event that you will not be able to obtain any more for several days to a week. Keep your insurance documents in a safe place in case of property or health emergencies.
• Falling trees and tree limbs are a major cause of damage during tropical storms and hurricanes. Avoid parking your car under trees and be aware of large trees that could cause damage or injury to you, your family or your property.
• If you live in a low-lying area, have a flood plan. Teach your family where to meet and how to evacuate safely.
• Prepare an emergency plan with your family. Have a basic first aid kit available and as always, call 911 to report any emergency.
More information is available at the following websites:
Virginia Capital Region Red Cross
www.virginiacapitalredcross.org
Federal Emergency Management Agency
www.ready.gov
Virginia Department of Emergency Management
http://www.vaemergency.gov/
For information on emergency kits and disaster preparations, including recommended supplies,
visit: http://www.vaemergency.gov/readyvirginia/getakit
Virginia Power Storm Information
http://dom.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=1018
Virginia Power Storm Center
http://www.dom.com/storm-center/index.jsp
For updated news and general information regarding Irene over the phone, dial: 211
Please be safe through this weather event and never hesitate to contact me if I can be of any assistance to you. We will be monitoring any phone and e-mail messages received over the weekend.
Sincerely,
Betsy B. Carr
