Residents urged to monitor weather, prepare

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Published: September 5, 2008

STAFFORD — Stafford County residents are being urged to make preparations for severe wind and rain and possible flash floods over the next few days as a result of Tropical Storm Hanna.

Hanna could bring strong wind and heavy rains from South Carolina to Maine. The storm is approaching the East Coast and is expected to make landfall this evening near Wilmington, N.C.

It is expected to bring two to four inches of rain to our region.

Stafford County government officials are preparing for the storm, and are also tracking Hurricane Ike and Tropical Storm Josephine as potential threats. Stafford’s fire-rescue department plans to provide frequent updates to all county departments about the storms’ status, and ensure that extra staff and supplies are on hand to respond if needed.

Citizens should start preparing for the storms as well, according to county officials.

“Advance preparation will help people handle personal injury, possible evacuations and residential damage,” said Stafford Fire and Rescue Chief Rob Brown. “Public safety personnel will be out responding to people in life and death situations. For that reason, all residents should be able to care for themselves, without any outside assistance, if these storms become significant events.”

One thing that people can do is organize a disaster supply kit. Here are some of the items it should contain:

• One gallon of water per person per day, including water for pets
• Canned or packaged food, and a manual can opener
• A battery-operated radio and flashlights with extra batteries
• First-aid kit
• A portable tool kit with a utility knife and duct tape
• Prescription medications, toiletries
• Extra bedding or sleeping bags
• Special items for infants, the elderly and disabled members of the household
• Important documents, insurance policies, cash and credit cards in waterproof containers
• Duffle bags or backpacks to transport these items in case you must evacuate

When a hurricane or tropical storm is approaching, people should listen to their local radio and television stations for updated storm information. Residents can also become a participant in Stafford Alert to receive important messages on communications devices of their choice, such as cell phones, pagers, or via e-mail. Stafford provides the service for free, but people should check with their cell phone providers about charges to receive text messages.

More information on Stafford Alert is available at http://www.staffordalert.com.

According to county officials, if you are not advised to evacuate, remain indoors and away from windows. If necessary, seek refuge in an interior, windowless room, and cover yourself with pillows or blankets for protection from falling debris. Prepare for possible power outages by filling plastic containers with water, leaving an inch of space in each one and placing them in your refrigerator or freezer. The frozen water will keep food cold for several hours if the power goes out. Fill your bathtub with water to use to flush toilets in case water services are unavailable. Bring in garbage cans, lawn furniture and other items that could be
blown away. Fill your car’s gas tank and prepare to evacuate if instructed to do so by local authorities.

• Make sure you have a current flood insurance policy (not typically part of a homeowner’s policy). A 30-day waiting period is generally required.
• Take pictures of your property before the storm to help validate claims, and remember to take your policies with you if you evacuate.
• Determine where to go if you are told to evacuate and the safest routes to get there. Choose several places — a friend’s or relatives’ home in another town, a motel or shelter.
• Remember that public shelters and many motels don’t allow pets. Make arrangements to leave your pet at home with an adequate supply of food and water.
• Have a supply kit of food, vaccination records and toys ready to go in case a shelter for animals is available.
• Have an adequate supply of plywood, tools, batteries, tarps and plastic sheeting on hand for temporary repairs.
• Remove dead trees and limbs that could fall on your home.

If needed, the Red Cross will open shelters in the county to house residents until it is safe for them to return to their homes. After the storm passes, wait for an all-clear announcement before leaving your home or shelter. Use a battery-powered flashlight to inspect your home and check the water heater and appliances for damage — candles and matches can ignite gas leaks. If you smell gas or hear a hissing or blowing sound, open a window and leave immediately. If electric wires are shorting out, turn off the power. Once your house is deemed safe, use your emergency water supplies or boil tap water until authorities declare the water supply safe. Outdoors, watch out for downed power lines, debris in the roads, weakened structures, rodents and snakes, and standing water.

In the event that electrical power is lost, turn off all major appliances. They can overload electric lines when power is restored, causing a second outage. Use portable generators cautiously. Make sure they are outside in a well-ventilated area, and refuel a generator only after it has cooled. Never use a generator indoors or in attached garages. Poor ventilation can result in carbon monoxide poisoning or death. Avoid using candles as a light source, which can result in deadly fires.

For more information about preparing for tropical storms and hurricanes, visit the Virginia Department of Emergency Management Web site at vaemergency.com or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration at noaa.gov/index.html.

— Press release