Hurricane Matthew Update 10-3-16 at 1pm

Team,

The Virginia Department of Emergency Management’s 11:30am updated dashboard is attached for your review.  Likewise, I’ve attached a graphic of Matthew’s latest track update.   According to the National Hurricane Center’s forecast discussion: “ While Matthew is expected to be a little weaker once it moves into the Bahamas as the shear increases somewhat and the ocean heat content decreases a little, it is expected to remain a dangerous hurricane through the next 5 days…In addition, it is still too soon to determine whether, or how Matthew could affect the remainder of the U.S. east coast.”  It is important to remember the average NHC track errors at days 4 and 5 are on the order of 180 and 240 miles, respectively.

With so much time and uncertainty with the forecast, actions taken by the City include (in addition to those mentioned in previous update) the following:

• Maintaining communications and situational awareness with the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) and the National Weather Service.
• Increased Readiness Condition to Condition 4 (meaning a tropical weather system has developed which has the potential to impact the locality within 144-96 hours).
• Preparing the Emergency Operations Center for activation
• Department of Public Works (DPW) are servicing and preparing their trucks and equipment.
• DPW also preparing to clear storm drains in problem areas.
• Norfolk EOC to Reach out to Faith Community / Operation Brother's Keeper.

Dr. Jeff Stern, VDEM Director, is briefing the Governor this afternoon.  An initial Norfolk Emergency Operations Center briefing is scheduled for Wednesday at 1pm and will be conducted via Conference Bridge and Adobe Connect.  We cannot accommodate everybody on the call so invitations will be forthcoming.  If you do not receive one, a summary of the call will be shared with everyone.

Lastly, please encourage everyone in your social circles to subscribe for Norfolk Alert by visiting Norfolk.gov or calling our IMPACT Care Center at (757) 664-6510.  Norfolk Alert is one means by which we can keep the community informed – along with Norfolk.gov, the City’s social media sites as well as channel 48.  If we can’t contact them, we can’t alert them!

Thank you!!

Jim
Director, Norfolk EOC

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