EM Update: September 7, 2011 Issue

Sept. 7, 2011

Hurricane Irene hits Virginia

Hurricane Irene hit Virginia as a Category 1 storm, killing four.  Although there were no sustained hurricane-force winds recorded in Virginia, hurricane gusts were recorded inland and not at the coast.  At the height of the storm, 2.5 million power outages were reported, making Irene the second-highest number of power outages in Virginia history, second only to Hurricane Isabel in 2003.  Many water systems lost power, resulting in boil water notices, with the majority in the east central, Culpeper and southeastern parts of the state.  Flooding and downed trees closed more than 226 state-maintained roads statewide.

Virginia received a federal declaration for the Public Assistance program, which helps state and local governments to recover costs associated with storm recovery.  Eligible localities are the counties of Essex, Isle of Wight, James City, Lancaster, Middlesex, New Kent, Richmond, Southampton, Sussex, Westmoreland and York; and the cities of Chesapeake, Emporia, Hampton, Hopewell, Newport News, Norfolk, Poquoson, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Virginia Beach and Williamsburg.  Damage assessments are continuing; additional localities may be added later.

Virginia has not received a federal declaration that provides assistance to individuals.  Because most of the damage was caused by wind, which is usually covered by homeowner’s insurance, there may be no federal assistance for individuals.  Federal assistance for individuals covers damage that is not covered by insurance.

Gov. Bob McDonnell has authorized the Virginia Department of Taxation to provide a one-week filing and payment extension to certain individuals and businesses affected by Hurricane Irene.  Details are available at http://www.tax.virginia.gov/

Earthquake recovery continues

There have been more than 20 aftershocks following the 5.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Louisa County two weeks ago.  Damage reports are still coming in: the Commonwealth has requested a team of earthquake damage experts to assess damage in Louisa and Culpeper counties, and it will take time to collect data.  Until all the damage assessments are completed, it is unknown whether Virginia will request federal assistance.

SHSP deadline extended due to Hurricane Irene

The deadline for submitting the 2011 State Homeland Security Grant program project proposal forms has been extended to Monday, Oct. 3 at 5 p.m. because of response and recovery efforts for Hurricane Irene. Submissions received after 5 p.m. will not be considered.  Please contact the VDEM Grants Office with any questions:

• Regions 1 & 2: Amy Wright, (804) 897-9769, amy.wright@vdem.virginia.gov
• Regions 3, 4 & 7:  Paulette McWaters, (804) 897-9764, paulette.mcwaters@vdem.virginia.gov
• Region 5: Jocelyn Bagby, (804) 897-9766, jocelyn.bagby@vdem.virginia.gov
• Region 6: Kerry Stuver, (804) 897-9763, kerry.stuver@vdem.virginia.gov
 

Arlington CERT responds to Hurricane Irene

Arlington Community Emergency Response Team volunteers were on standby in Arlington County's emergency operations center the night Hurricane Irene struck, and deployed at daybreak to assess and report damage and tape off and report life-threatening hazards.  Beginning at 6 a.m., neighborhood CERT coordinators were sent an Arlington Alert, followed by an email with instructions to activate their teams as soon as light broke and winds died down to a safe level. A notice of deployment was sent via e-mail (and confirmed via phone trees) to all active-duty members shortly after sunrise.

In less than three hours, 100 members of the Arlington County CERT had conducted windshield surveys of more than 80 percent of the county and reported findings to the EOC.  They used the County's Rapid Needs Assessment form provided a few days prior to Hurricane Irene or, where not available, reported their findings via email or phone.  The CERT assessments were especially helpful where county staff was not able to drive through neighborhoods.

VDEM Training Calendar

Like VDEM Training on Facebook to receive updates on upcoming courses: http://www.hs.facebook.com/pages/Virginia-Department-of-Emergency-Management-Training/241324432558332

Due to budgetary constraints, VDEM must cancel a class if a minimum of 15 students have not enrolled two weeks before the class begins.  Sign up early.

The Commonwealth of Virginia’s Learning Management System Knowledge Center provides information and enrollment for each class.  Students who do not already have an account through any state agency Learning Management System domain must register for a VDEM LMS account (a one-time process) in order to enroll.  Students who have an account through any state agency should log in at that agency’s LMS address and enroll in the desired course(s).  Help videos for registration and enrollment processes are provided on the VDEM LMS login page at https://covkc.virginia.gov/vdem/external/.  Assistance is available from VDEM’s LMS Help Desk at lmshelp@vdem.virginia.gov or (804) 897-9995.

The table below lists VDEM courses for the next quarter:

EM Update is the best way to communicate best practices and to get a heads up on issues that might affect you. Articles include case studies, cost/resource-saving local programs, examples of partnerships and regional cooperation and recognition of emergency managers who receive awards and honors in the field.

Please don't hesitate to contact the editor whenever you have a project that might benefit localities or want to highlight an important issue concerning Virginia's emergency response community. Contact Jolie Shank at (804) 897-6510 or by e-mail at pio@vdem.virginia.gov.

Produced by the Virginia Department of Emergency Management
10501 Trade Court, Richmond, Virginia 23236