Emergency Preparedness

Office of Emergency Preparedness Mission

Our mission is to effectively respond to any emergency impacting public health through preparation, collaboration, education and rapid intervention. VDH Emergency Preparedness involves state, regional and local emergency response partners working together to enhance readiness to respond to all hazards, including bioterrorism, infectious disease outbreaks and other public health emergencies.

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Hurricane Preparedness - Know Your Risk: Water & Wind. Consider your threats: storm surge, flooding from heavy rain, strong winds, tornadoes, rip currents. Determine if you live in a flood-prone area. Find out if you live in an evacuation zone. Identify your home's structural risk (mobile homes & basements can be especially vulnerable)

Hurricane Preparedness

The first step of preparing for hurricanes is to know your risk. Find out today what types of water and wind hazards could happen where you live. Hurricanes are not just a coastal problem. Impacts from wind and water can be felt hundreds of miles inland, and significant impacts can occur regardless of the storm’s strength. Know if you live in an area prone to flooding, if you live in an evacuation zone, and identify any structural weaknesses in your home.
noaa.gov/know-your-risk-water-wind

The best time to prepare for hurricanes is BEFORE hurricane season begins. Avoid having to rush through potentially life-saving preparations by waiting until it’s too late. Get your disaster supplies while the shelves are still stocked, and get that insurance checkup early, as flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period. noaa.gov/prepare-before-hurricane-season

Hurricane Preparedness - Prepare Before Hurricane Season. Develop an evacuation plan. Assemble disaster supplies: food, water, batteries, charger, radio, cash. Get an insurance checkup and document your possessions. Create a communication plan with a hand-written list of contacts. Strengthen your home.
Hurricane Preparedness - Understand Forecast Information. Rely on forecasts from the National Hurricane Center and your local NWS office. Know your alerts & the difference between a Watch and Warning. Focus on potential impacts, regardless of storm size or category. Know that deadly hazards occur well outside of the Forecast Cone.

Prepare for hurricane season by knowing how to understand forecasts. They can tell you a lot about what is expected,including the storm’s paths, rainfall amounts, wind speeds, and more. There is a lot of information available days ahead of a storm, and it is important to understand what it means. noaa.gov/understand-forecast-information

Do you know what to do when a storm threatens? Prepare for hurricane season by taking the time now to understand the actions needed when time is of the essence.
noaa.gov/get-moving-when-storm-threatens

Hurricane Preparedness - Understand Forecast Information. Rely on forecasts from the National Hurricane Center and your local NWS office. Know your alerts & the difference between a Watch and Warning. Focus on potential impacts, regardless of storm size or category. Know that deadly hazards occur well outside of the Forecast Cone.
Hurricane Preparedness - Stay Protected During Storms. Stay in your safe places from water and wind. Have a way to get weather alerts and forecast updates. Keep in mind that impacts can be felt far from the coast. Listen to local officials and avoid travel unless ordered to evacuate.

Be prepared for hurricane season by knowing what to do during a storm. Whether you’ve evacuated or are sheltering in place, know what to expect from the hazards you may face. Remain vigilant, stay up-to-date with the latest forecasts and alerts, and continue to listen to local officials.
noaa.gov/stay-protected-during-storms

A key part of hurricane preparedness is understanding the dangers that remain well after a storm. This is NOT the time to put your guard down. Nearly half of hurricane fatalities occur after the storm.
noaa.gov/use-caution-after-storms

Hurricane Preparedness - Use Caution After Storms. If you evacuated, only return home when directed that it's safe to do so. Remain vigilant, as hazards remain: heat, downed power lines, floodwaters, and more. Clean up safely: don't push yourself, and check on neighbors. Only use generators outdoors, 20+ feet from your home. Prepare for the likelihood that help and communications may not be available.

Are you ready for hurricane season? Take action TODAY to be better prepared for when the worst happens. Understand your risk from hurricanes, and begin pre-season preparations now. Make sure you understand how to interpret forecasts and alerts, and know what to do before, during, and after a storm. Even if you feel ready, there may be additional things you could do or learn.
noaa.gov/take-action-today

More Emergency Resources

Ways to Apply for Disaster Assistance
Download the FEMA App
Virginia Department of Emergency Management