Gov. Youngkin Urges Virginians to prepare for this year’s hurricane season

RICHMOND, VA – With the 2023 hurricane season already underway, Governor Glenn Youngkin is urging Virginians to prepare now .

“It is imperative that Virginians take preparedness seriously,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “Now is the time to prepare your families and property, check your insurance coverage, and identify those trusted sources of information that can help keep you safe.”

For comprehensive information on preparedness, response, and recovery activities, please review the updated 2023 Virginia Hurricane Evacuation Guide, which not only includes evacuation information, but also highlights actions to take in the event of tropical weather.

We cannot ignore the fact that storms that start in the lower Atlantic or Gulf States also have the potential to come north and cause significant damage – particularly for our vulnerable areas in southwest Virginia. This is why we encourage all Virginians across the Commonwealth to take the time to become prepared. This year, we have developed a new Hurricane Preparedness – Inland Impacts Guide specifically designed for our communities that are not located along the coastline.

“There is an immense return on investment for taking steps to ensure personal preparedness,” said Shawn Talmadge, State Coordinator at the Virginia Department of Emergency Management. “It not only relieves the stress of scrambling prior to an impending storm, but can also save lives, mitigate damages, and shorten the time it takes for individuals and communities to recover.”

Take the time now to review your insurance policy, secure your property, and create a plan that includes arrangements for your pets or those that may need extra assistance. Below are a few critical steps to ensure you and your family’s safety.

Know your zone. Evacuation may become necessary depending on the track and severity of the storm. Review Virginia’s evacuation zones at KnowYourZoneVA.org. Users can enter their physical address in the search bar of the website to view and confirm their designated evacuation zone.

Complete a family communication plan. Prepare for how you will assemble and communicate with your family and loved ones. Identify meeting locations and anticipate where you will go. Federal Emergency Management Agency guidance on family communications plans is available here.

Check your insurance coverage. Remember, there may be a waiting period (typically 30 days) for a flood insurance policy to become effective, and be aware that not all storm-related losses, such as flooding, are covered under traditional policies. Now is the time to review your coverage and contact your insurance agent for any changes. If you are not insured against floods, talk to your insurance agent, shop private flood insurance, or visit floodsmart.gov. If you are a renter, now is the time to ensure you have adequate coverage to protect your belongings. It is also imperative that you have adequate coverage on all insurance policies to ensure it reflects current home values and replacement costs.

Make an emergency kit. Assemble an emergency kit that includes nonperishable food, water, medication, sanitary supplies, radios, extra batteries, and important documents. Learn more about building an emergency supply kit here.

Stay informed. Identify where to go for trusted sources of information during emergencies. Check with your local emergency management office to sign up for alerts that go directly to your phone or email. Be sure to monitor local news for watches and warnings in your area and follow directions of local officials. Power outages are always a concern during weather events—make sure you have a battery-operated radio available so you can still receive life-saving alerts.

There are many resources available to assist with hurricane planning efforts. Learn more about preparing your business, your family, and your property against hurricane threats (and other disasters) at vaemergency.gov/prepare and ready.gov/hurricanes. Locally, the most comprehensive hurricane planning tool is the Shoredailynews.com/A&N Electric Co-op Hurricane Survival Guide.  You can access the Guide 24/7 on Shoredailynews.com and printed versions will be distributed to local businesses over the next few weeks.

WESR general manager Charlie Russell said, “the best way to prepare for any potential hurricane or tropical storm encounter is to know what you will do in advance.  Some years we have no major threats,  others we have near misses but a brush or a direct hit can never be discounted.   It has happened before and will happen again. You just never know when.”