HURRICANE EXERCISE 5-11-17 @1:30PM

THIS IS AN EXERCISE… EXERCISE… EXERCISE…

Morning update reports Hurricane Brady – a Category 3 storm – is located approximately 225NM southeast of Miami (see attached graphic), tracking northwest at ~11mph.   Maximum sustained winds are 126mph and gusts of 143mph.  According to the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, a storm of this magnitude has the ability to cause devastating damage: “Well-built framed homes may incur major damage or removal of roof decking and gable ends. Many trees will be snapped or uprooted, blocking numerous roads. Electricity and water will be unavailable for several days to weeks after the storm passes.”  Current track forecast has Brady reaching our area Sunday morning (T-72 hours).  Extended forecast suggests some weakening of the storm, but not as much as we would hope.

At the 96-hour mark, the Team Norfolk EOC moves into Readiness Condition 3 (which simply states the forecasted arrival of tropical storm force winds are expected within 96-48 hours) with a partial activation.  Also by this point a pre-landfall local emergency would have been declared (and likely a Governor declaration as well). As mentioned previously, this declaration serves as a trigger by which we can request state and federal assets.  If a CAT-3 or CAT-2 is expected, there would be a number of pre-scripted requests submitted to the Virginia EOC.  Also, with regular monitoring of the surge models, wind timing and rainfall forecasts, discussions would be well underway regarding evacuations. 

While evacuations would not be called for at this time, communication throughout the community explaining the process would be.  One video which would be shared through Norfolk.gov, social media and TV48 would be Mermaid City: Unpacked – Hurricane Evacuation.  We would also be reminding folks of the ways by which they could receive official storm-related information via the episode, “Information Sources During a Disaster.”  

Discussions would also be underway between the EOC, Public Health and our hospitals and healthcare facilities (including assisted care / long-term care, dialysis, etc.).  Furthermore, we would reach out to our partner, Endependence Center, who serves as our Access and Functional Needs liaison in the EOC, as well as our Operation Brother’s Keeper faith community partners to reach out to individuals with various access and functional needs and further warn them of the impending storm.  One video we often share was developed by the Virginia Healthcare Emergency Management Program entitled “Dare to Prepare.” 

Shelters, shelter teams to include communications (amateur radio) and transportation support are already on stand-by; however, additional logistics would be considered by now to ensure appropriate level of care.  Norfolk possesses a Shelter Support Unit (SSU) consisting of various medical capabilities.  While this equipment is inventoried and checked on a regular basis, we would partner with Norfolk Medical Reserve Corps and possibly the Metropolitan Medical Response Team to do so again.  More than ensuring the availability and functionality of the SSU resources, procurement process would be underway to secure professional contract nursing staff.  All shelters will be ADA-compliant and rather than having one shelter with all the SSU equipment, various equipment should be available to each shelter depending on request and severity of need.  Another message for the community would be “What to Expect in an Emergency Shelter.”

Stay tuned - more to come with the next update!

Thanks!

Jim
Director, Norfolk EOC
james.redick@norfolk.gov

THIS IS AN EXERCISE… EXERCISE… EXERCISE…