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TextHurricane Irene: Be Prepared
August 26, 2011 - Below is the latest information on Hurricane Irene. Please sign up to receive updates over the weekend at the links below. Be safe,
Sharon Bulova
Chairman, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors
HERE IS THE LATEST INFORMATION ON HURRICANE IRENE:
No significant impact on Fairfax County is expected as of now, but we
could experience some severe weather as a result of Hurricane Irene.
Rain/Flooding:
The National Weather Service predicts 2-4 inches of rain for Fairfax
County. Heavy rain could lead to minor flooding in the area. Be aware of
low water crossings and flood prone areas. To find out if you live in a
flood-prone area, visit http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dpwes/stormwater/floodmaps.htm
Winds:
Wind gusts of up to 30-50 miles per hour are possible. Watch for
falling limbs and flying debris.
Power:
Power outages could occur as a result of Hurricane Irene. A battery
or hand-crank powered flashlight and radio (and batteries) are part of a
good emergency preparedness kit.
Water:
Although great strides have been made to ensure uninterrupted water
service, residents should have bottled water on hand – enough for three
days (one gallon per adult, per day).
IMPORTANT CONTACT NUMBERS
Save these numbers in your phone
For ALL emergencies please dial 9-1-1
Public Safety Non-Emergency
703-691-2131, TTY 703-204-2264
Fairfax County Emergency Information Line
703-817-7771, TTY 711
Natural Gas
Washington Gas: 1-800-752-7520 or 703-750-1400, TTY 711
Columbia Gas: 1-800-544-5606, TTY 1-800-231-3238
Power
Dominion Virginia Power outages and downed wires: 1-866-DOM-HELP
(1-866-366-4357), TTY 711
NOVEC (Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative) outages and downed wires:
1-888-335-0500 or 703-335-0500, TTY 711
Pepco outages: 1-877-737-2662; downed wires: 202-872-343
BGE outages: 877-778-2222; downed wires: 800-685-0123
Water
Fairfax Water at 703-698-5800, TTY 703-698-7025. After hours, call
703-698-5613, TTY 711
Downed Trees (numbers vary based on situation)
http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/emergency/recover/tree-removal.htm.
Roads
VDOT: 1-800-FOR-ROAD (1-800-367-7623), TTY 711
ONLINE CHAT WITH DAVE MCKERNAN
There was some very helpful discussion during today’s online chat
with Emergency Management Coordinator Dave McKernan. Visit this link to
read the entire transcript.
http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/AskFairfax/Archive/ArchiveDiscussion.aspx?roomid=22
WHERE TO GET UP-TO-THE-MINUTE INFORMATION FROM FAIRFAX COUNTY
As Hurricane Irene approaches, you may feel overwhelmed by
information and preparedness tips – from the newspaper, from TV, and from
local, state and federal government. Fairfax County is making
comprehensive and succinct information available to you in a way that is
usable, beneficial and easy to understand.
The latest part of that effort is the Emergency Blog at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/emergency/blog. You can subscribe to that blog to have timely updates and information sent to you by email. This subscription, in conjunction with emergency alerts from CEAN (sign up at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/cean), will allow residents to keep up with the latest news and information about Hurricane Irene.
PREPAREDNESS TIPS
For residents who have not yet prepared, here are four ways to
prepare for Irene:
1.) Remove dead limbs on trees that could fall on your property.
2.) Plan to secure all outdoor furniture, decorations, garbage cans and
anything else that is not tied down.
3.) Assemble an emergency preparedness kit (with food and supplies!) and
make a communications plan. You can use Northern Virginia’s new emergency
planner for help: www.readynova.org
4.) Pay close attention to weather forecasts for the latest storm
track. We will provide guidance as needed.
For more information on hurricane preparedness, visit http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/emergency/prepare/hurricane.htm. For comprehensive information on emergency preparedness, response, recovery and information visit http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/emergency/prepare/.
Previous Update:
August 25, 2011 – As you know, Hurricane Irene is currently making its way toward our area. According to the latest projections, Fairfax County could receive heavy rainfall and flooding is possible. County staff members from multiple departments are monitoring the situation closely and will continue to do so through the weekend.
To receive alerts from Fairfax County before, during and after the storm, sign up to receive message from the Community Emergency Alert Network at https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/cean/ CEAN delivers alerts as voice message, email or text message.
Remember that preparedness is a shared responsibility. Please take time today and tomorrow to make sure your home and family are prepared. Some helpful tips on hurricane preparedness can be found at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/emergency/prepare/hurricane.htm. For comprehensive information on emergency preparedness, response, recovery and information visit http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/emergency/prepare/
Tomorrow (Friday) at 10:00am, Office of Emergency Management Coordinator Dave McKernan will participate in a live online chat about Hurricane Irene as well as Tuesday’s earthquake. Visit http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/AskFairfax/ to submit your questions any time before or during the discussion.
Please be safe, be prepared, and be a good neighbor.
Sharon Bulova
Chairman, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors
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