Gov. Tim Kaine declared a state of emergency in the commonwealth yesterday in response to the potential threat of Tropical Storm Hanna this weekend.
“Current forecasts predict Hanna will bring tropical storm force winds to Virginia, causing coastal flooding and the very real possibility of tornadoes and power outages,” Kaine said, according to a press release.
To prepare for the possible damage, the governor encouraged Virginians to be aware of Hanna’s progression and to follow the instructions of local government officials and news media sources in relation to the storm.
By declaring a state of emergency, Kaine has authorized state emergency services agencies to ready themselves for the potentially devastating effects of the storm, explained Kaine’s spokesperson Gordon Hickey.
The Virginia Department of Emergency Management has staffed the Virginia Emergency Operations Center with team members to respond to situations as they arise, according to the release. The Virginia State Police, the Virginia National Guard and the Virginia Department of Transportation also are prepared with additional staff for areas that may be affected by Hanna.
Hickey explained that while many emergency services, such as the state police, are not yet in place, “the state of emergency is like the mechanism that will allow these services to properly respond” to the potential threats of severe weather.
For members of the University community, however, the state of emergency is important, but it does not change anything the University is presently doing in terms of emergency preparedness, said Marjorie Sidebottom, University director of emergency preparedness. No special procedures, she said, have gone into effect since the declaration was announced.
“We will continue, though, to watch the situation,” Sidebottom said. “We have a conference call every day to see if anything changes.”
In a previous Cavalier Daily interview, Sidebottom said it would be rare for a hurricane or tropical storm to actually hit the Charlottesville area. She also noted, however, that students should still prepare for the worst and should expect “wet weather” in the near future.
Sidebottom also said students should continue to watch television and listen to the radio to continue monitoring the developing storm situation.
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