Governor Jim Gilmore Declares Statewide Emergency

Governor Jim Gilmore Declares Statewide Emergency
- Verbal Directive Issued at 12:00 p.m. -

RICHMOND - Governor Jim Gilmore today declared a State of Emergency in response to what appears to have been coordinated terrorist attacks and activities in New York City and the Washington metropolitan area.

"This statewide directive enables me to manage all of our emergency response resources in the most efficient and effective manner possible," said Governor Gilmore. "We have responded rapidly to this crisis so far, and I want to make sure that we are in a position to continue doing so."

The Governor also activated Virginia's Urban Search and Rescue Teams at the request of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. These teams are based in Fairfax County and Virginia Beach. They are comprised of highly trained and experienced fire, medical, communications, and search and rescue specialists.

"The men and women who serve on our search and rescue teams are among the nation's best, " said Governor Gilmore. "They will be of valuable assistance to local and federal authorities the second we get them on the scene."

Governor Gilmore also issued an update on road and traffic conditions in northern Virginia. All southbound lanes on I-395, including HOV lanes, are open. All northbound lanes on I-395 are closed from the Beltway to Washington. The George Washington Parkway is also closed. All lanes on the Beltway and I-95 are open.

The Governor instructed all agencies to advise him if any of their employees were at the World Trade Center or the Pentagon at the time of the attacks. He also closed the Center for Information Technology in Fairfax County.

Governor Jim Gilmore has taken the following actions so far today:

• Activated the Emergency Operations Center at the Department of Emergency Management;

• Activated 300 members of the Virginia National Guard, including engineers, medical personnel and military police, and put the entire Virginia National Guard on heightened alert;

• Established contact with the Federal Emergency Management Authority and Federal Bureau of Investigations;

• Directed all law enforcement to report any criminal activity to the Emergency Operations Center;

• Directed the Secretary of Transportation to work with the United States Navy to heighten security at the Port of Virginia;

• Heightened security at the Capitol Building and Executive Mansion;

• Directed State Police to ensure traffic flow in northern Virginia;

• Directed the State Police to provide assistance to the local and federal authorities that are responding to the attack on the Pentagon.

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