Governor Allen Declares State of Emergency



 

CONTACTS:
Ken Stroupe -(804) 786-2211
Bill Cimino - Public Safety - (804) 786-5351
Janet Clements -VDES (804) 674-2481

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - September 5, 1996

 

Governor Allen Declares State of Emergency

- Virginia Readies To Respond To Hurricane Fran -

 



 

RICHMOND - In order to prepare for the potential effects of Hurricane Fran, Virginia Governor George Allen today declared a statewide State of Emergency for Virginia. In making this declaration the Governor has implemented the State Emergency Operations Plan and directed State agencies to take all actions necessary to protect the health and safety of Virginia's citizens.

"Recent forecasts predict that Hurricane Fran could cause flash flooding, river flooding, wind driven rain, and possible tornadoes across Virginia, therefore I have taken the precautionary step of declaring a statewide State of Emergency," said Governor Allen. "By declaring a State of Emergency, we will be able to better coordinate our response to the potential effects of Hurricane Fran."

Provisions of the Governor's Executive Order include:

 

  • Implementation of the State's Hurricane Emergency Response Plan;

     

  • Full activation of the Virginia Emergency Operations Center and the State Emergency Response Team;

     

  • The authorization to assume control over the Commonwealth's telecommunications systems, making all assets available for use in providing adequate communications and warning for the impending event;

     

  • The activation, implementation, and coordination of appropriate mutual aid agreements and compacts;

     

  • The authorization of the Departments of State Police, Transportation, and Motor Vehicles to grant temporary overweight/registration/license exemptions to carriers transporting essential emergency relief supplies into and within the Commonwealth to support the disaster response and recovery;

     

  • The authorization of appropriate oversight boards, commissions and agencies to ease building code restrictions and to permit emergency demolition, hazardous waste disposal, debris removal, emergency landfill siting and operations and other activities necessary to address immediate health and safety needs;

     

  • The implementation by public agencies under the Governor's supervision and control of their emergency assignments without regard to normal procedures pertaining to performance of public work, entering into contracts, incurring obligations or other logistical and support measures;

     

  • Liability protection is extended to volunteer, auxiliary and reserve groups when designated as agents of the Commonwealth for specific disaster-related missions.

The Virginia National Guard has been placed in an alert status.
 

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