Hurricane Matthew Update 10-11-16 @ 11:30am

Team Norfolk,

Here is today's mid-day report:

Facilities
General Services custodial crews continue to clean up city and school facilities, many of which experienced leaking, damaged ceiling tiles, etc.  This remains an on-going effort.

Again, Team Norfolk partner agencies are encourage to report any damages to the Norfolk EOC for inclusion in the City’s documentation.

Roads and Underpasses
Much progress on the underpasses.  Virginia Beach Blvd underpass anticipated to be dry by the end of the day and open tomorrow (Wednesday).  Brambleton underpass is expected to be dry Wednesday and open Thursday.  Again, big thanks to our partners at the Port of Virginia and the Marine Incident Response Team for the use of their pumps!

The movement of abandoned vehicles continues to be underway. 

For a bird’s eye view of flooded roads and vehicle, click here for a drone video shot and produced by the very talented John Ehlers.  Note: the opening slide says Hurricane Andrew, but it is in fact Matthew!!!  To provide some context, some video was captured Sunday morning and much during the afternoon’s high tide.  (Remember, rainfall had already ceased during the morning hours).  Focus was on flooded areas, the results of driving in flooded areas, and how filthy the water can be (and dangerous to play in). 

Trees
The Urban Forestry crews of Recreation Parks and Open Space (RPOS) are working tirelessly to address now the 300+ downed and damaged trees throughout the community.   In addition to RPOS’ 5 crews, they brought in 5 contractor groups, coordination for further assistance is underway with representatives from Christ in Action, Southern Baptist Disaster Relief and Team Rubicon.  Stand by for more info!

Focus right now is still on clearing the trees out of roadways, etc., and then going back to cut into 8’ blocks for removal.  Norfolk is working with a contractor for the transport and removal of this debris, a process expected to occur throughout and into next week.

Cemeteries
Let us not forget the impacts on Norfolk’s cemeteries and the RPOS’ Bureau of Cemeteries storm clean-up efforts. Minimal stone (monument) damage was done by fallen trees; cemetery staff should be able to repair. Families have been notified of any damage.  Tree removal is being conducted as appropriate and when possible in addition to other cleanup efforts on site.  Those funerals postponed due to the weather event are all now rescheduled.

Power
At last check there are 4,940 (out of 96,907) Dominion customers without power.

Damage Assessment Strategies
Reports at the end of the day yesterday indicated 160 structures damaged so far having a value slightly north of $8M.  More complete information expected this afternoon.  This is residential and commercial structures (i.e. private property).  How the value of damages is determined is as follows:  As the assessments are entered, an algorithm pulls the assessed value of the structure and makes a calculation based on based on category: destroyed=100%, major=75%, minor=50% and affected=25%.  To better understand the various classifications of damage in the assessments, please check out VDEM’s Individual Assistance Damage Assessment Guidelines. 

Federal Assistance
Update on the threshold for federal assistance.  Since the new federal fiscal year has begun October 1, the threshold has changed from $3.57 per capita to $3.61.  Therefore, Population (242,803) x per capita indicator (now $3.61)  = a threshold of 876,519 (was $866,807) to be eligible for federal assistance.  We are currently at $8m.

All agencies are to document/track all incident-related costs!!

With Federal Assistance a very real possibility, please check back within the hour for a Federal Assistance primer to ensure widespread understanding and expectations.

Thank you!

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