HURRICANE EXERCISE 5-10-17 @ 9:30AM

THIS IS AN EXERCISE…EXERCISE…EXERCISE…

Team,

The latest information from the Navy Fleet Weather Center in Norfolk has Hurricane Brady Southeast of Miami and moving along its projected path at 10mph.  Sustained winds are 120mph (and gusts of 138mph) which makes Brady a Category 3 storm.  Expected arrival of tropical-storm force winds is still approximately 4-5 days (96-120 hours).

Forecast confidence is typically not strong outside of 36 hours before landfall and Team Norfolk would still be at Readiness Condition 4; however, a CAT-3 at 120 hours out, the EOC would request the City Manager declare a local emergency.  This pre-landfall declaration, which coincides with the Governor’s timeline for a State declaration, is more of an administrative trigger to begin capturing all incident-related preparation and protection costs.  A local declaration is also a requirement before we begin requesting resources from the state.  For instance, we may very well request from the Virginia EOC in Richmond high water vehicles and water rescue teams from the Virginia Army National Guard.

The Planning Cell in the Norfolk Emergency Operations Center continues monitoring NHC products such as their Public Advisories, Forecast Discussions, Wind Speed Probabilities, Track Forecast and Cone and Probabilistic wind timing.  We would also continue having conference calls based on the latest updates with the National Weather Service and the Virginia Department of Emergency Management.  Again, we would be conducting EOC briefings with all of Team Norfolk, which is inclusive of public, private, nonprofit, public/higher education, military and our faith community, and providing spot reports via email.  All organizations plugged into Team Norfolk are all getting the same critical information.  If you are not already part of Team Norfolk Emergency Operations but would like to be, ask us how you can!!!

The EOC and Joint Information Center (JIC) would be prepped for a full activation.  Shelters and shelter staff, to include our partners with Norfolk Public Schools (i.e. bus drivers, custodial, facility leadership) and our crucial amateur radio operators would be alerted, confirmed and standing by.  Additionally, we would be reaching out to our partners with Norfolk Public Schools, Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia, Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia, Sentara and more to discuss how we can ensure those children who are reliant on NPS’ breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as homebound adults reliant on home-delivered meals, can receive the necessary sustenance ahead of the storm or during an extended impact on operations. 

Messaging to the community would include the following:

• Talk with your children about the storm.  Sesame Street has some great resources at…http://www.sesamestreet.org/parents/theshow/episodes/the-hurricane (type hurricane in the search box).
• Get to know your neighbors!!  Identify and lend a hand to those who may be a little more vulnerable, those who might need some assistance. 

The EOC will continue to monitor and keep you posted on any updates.  Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns you may have.

Thank you!

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

THIS IS AN EXERCISE…EXERCISE…EXERCISE…