Dear Friend,
Hurricane Florence is making her way to the East coast later this week. The current track of this storm is very likely to cause significant issues in Virginia.
Here in the Northern Virginia and the Northern Shenandoah Valley, the current forecast is improving, but we could see widespread flooding, damage to roads and infrastructure and major power outages. The time to start preparing for this storm is now.
Saturday, Governor Northam declared a state of emergency in anticipation of Florence's impact. Last night, he issued a mandatory evacuation order for about a quarter million coastal Virginia residents. Today, President Trump granted Virginia's request for a federal disaster area declaration.
Significant wind and rain could impact our already-saturated area, with the potential of flooding, power outages and other issues.
Below are some helpful resources as you and your families start your preparations. Please share this email with others via email, Facebook, Twitter, etc.
As always, feel free to contact me or my staff with any questions or concerns; we are here to serve you! You can reach us at info@voteLaRock.us or at 540-751-8364.
District-wide General Information
Virginia Dpt. of Emergency Management (VDEM):
http://www.vaemergency.gov/
VDOT / Road conditions
Report road problems to 1-800-FOR-ROAD (367-7623) or https://my.vdot.virginia.gov/
General Preparedness Suggestions:
- Charge mobile devices so you can continue to hear information from official sources if the power goes out.
- Delay travel to allow VDOT crews to clear the roads. If you must drive, wear a seatbelt.
- Get current road condition information by calling 511 or visiting www.511Virginia.org. Download the 511 mobile app to get the latest road condition information.
- Have emergency supplies in your vehicle. If you are stranded you will need water, food, blankets, flashlight and extra batteries at a minimum.
- Be prepared to take care of yourself and your family for at least 72 hours, in case roads are blocked and/or there are power outages.
- A three-day supply of food includes a gallon of water per person per day and food that does not require electricity to prepare it.
- Have a battery powered and/or hand-crank radio and extra batteries for emergency information. Listen to local weather forecasts and instructions from local officials.
- Bring pets inside during the storm.
- Always run generators outside in well-ventilated areas. Never use a portable generator in any enclosed or partially enclosed space. Follow manufacturer’s instructions exactly.
- Avoid overexertion while shoveling snow and cleaning up from the storm, no matter your age or physical condition. Shoveling snow or pushing a car can bring on a heart attack or make other medical conditions worse.
- If you need help for an elderly or disabled person during the storm, need information on warming shelters, or are concerned about an unsheltered individual or family, call 211 or visit www.211virginia.org. When you call 211, a trained professional will suggest sources of help using one of the largest databases of health and human services in your community and statewide.
- Get winter weather preparedness information at www.ReadyVirginia.gov and download the new Ready Virginia app for iPhones and Android devices.
Additional Info by locality
Frederick County
Clarke County
Loudoun County
Utilities
- Dominion - See what is going on with storms and report power outages in your neighborhood. To report a power outage call 1-866 DOM-HELP (1-866-367-7623). In addition, Dominion customers can report outages on their mobile devices at http://m.dom.com/
- Rappahannock Electric Cooperative Power outages will be posted on www.myrec.coop, Facebook, and Twitter. Members may report their outages online at www.myrec.coop by clicking the Report Outage button at the top of any page. Those who prefer to phone in their outage report can call toll-free: 1-800-552-3904
- NOVEC - View a map of areas that are experiencing electricity outages. To report a power outage call 703-335-0500 or 1-888-335-0500 Customers with access to the Internet can report outages at www.novec.com. Or, customers can report an outage by sending NOVEC a text message. They can sign up for the Co-op's text-messaging service at www.novec.com/novecout, or by texting the keyword NOVECOUT to 85700
- Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative please call your Cooperative anytime your power is out at 1-800-234-7832. Power outage FAQs here. Power outage map and information here.
- Loudoun Water - Find updates, manage your account, and be able to contact a representative for assistance.
- Frederick Water call (540) 868-1061 and select option 7 after-hours
- Verizon: Call 1-800-VERIZON (1-800-837-4966) or visit www.verizon.com/outage to report damaged Verizon equipment or service-related issues, or to report downed telephone lines or poles.
Please share this information with others via email, Facebook, Twitter, etc. It can also be found on my website here: https://www.votelarock.us/emergency_resources
As always, feel free to contact me or my staff with any questions or concerns; we are here to serve you! You can reach us at info@voteLaRock.us, 540-751-8364, Facebook, and Twitter
