[Archived] Preparation for Tropical Storm/Hurricane Joaquin

What People Should Do:

• Do not drive through high water. Stay at home as severe weather arrives.

• Know the weather terms and what you should do: 
• Be prepared to evacuate. If evacuated, do not return to your home until local officials say it is safe.  After floodwaters recede, roads could be weakened and could collapse. Buildings might be unstable, and drinking water might be contaminated. 
• Use common sense and look for information. If water is rising quickly or you see a moving wall of mud or debris, immediately move to higher ground.
• Do not walk through moving water. What might seem like a small amount of moving water can easily knock you down.
• If you depend on electricity for medical equipment or a mobility device, ensure all batteries are fully charged each day and be prepared to evacuate with extra batteries and any charging equipment you will need.
• If you will need to use paratransit, be sure to consider the amount of extra time you may need should evacuation be recommended. Find out now whether you will need to schedule a ride 24 hours in advance, how many personal items you are allowed to evacuate with, and whether your pets will be allowed on the paratransit vehicle.
• If you use durable medical equipment, need medical supplies, or take critical medications, ensure you have enough on hand for 5-7 days and include these items in your go-bag in case evacuation is recommended.
• Notify your support network now and start planning ahead for any disability-related or medical needs.
  

Get Ready:

• Download the free Ready Virginia app for iPhone® and Android™, which features a customizable emergency plan, a checklist for gathering emergency supplies and an “I’m Safe!” feature that allows you to quickly send a text message to let family and friends know you are safe.

• Decide how and where everyone will meet up with each other if separated.

• Choose an out-of-town emergency contact for your family and give that person’s phone number to each family member.

• Sign up for text alerts/weather warnings that may be offered by your locality.

• Pre-pack a hurricane supply kit with a minimum three-day supply of essential items, such as water, non-perishable food, first aid kit, extra batteries and prescribed medications.

• Secure garbage cans, lawn furniture or anything that could become airborne and cause damage.
  

Drive safely:

• Know the road conditions before you travel. Go to www.511Virginia.org or dial 511 from any phone for real-time traffic information and road condition reports.
• Do not drive into flooded areas. If your vehicle becomes surrounded by rising water, get out quickly and move to higher ground, if possible.
• Flood water might cut off access to roads. Be prepared to stay where you are until floodwaters recede.
• Determine in advance the safest route from your home to a safe place that can protect you from high winds or flooding. If there is a flood, you may have only minutes to get to safety.
  

Stay informed:

• Listen to NOAA Weather Radio and your local media to know when flood watches and warnings are issued.

• More flood preparedness information is available at www.vaemergency.gov/readyvirginia/stayinformed/floods. 
  

Other Resources:

• If you need help, information or resources during or after the storm, call 211. Those with hearing impairments can call 711 to connect to the Virginia Relay Center for assistance with the call. Videophone users may dial 1-800-230-6977.

• www.vaemergency.gov – go online or on your smart phone for statewide storm updates

• @vdem – Twitter feed for storm updates from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management-

• VAemergency – Facebook page for VDEM 

  @ListoVirginia , twitter feed in Spanish and listovirginia1 on Facebook