The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) wants you to know that most good hurricane preparation happens before a storm shows up on the forecast. That’s why May brings Hurricane Preparedness Week. NOAA has put together a week of guides to help you and your loved ones take stock of your supplies and planning to get ready for hurricane season.
RHHD Emergency Response Coordinator Ed Porner says Richmond and Henrico residents shouldn’t take hurricane preparedness lightly just because we don’t live beachside. “Water, not wind, is the major killer during a hurricane, and just because we’re not close to the coast doesn’t mean it can’t affect us,” he says. “In fact, the most destructive storm to ever hit Virginia—Hurricane Camille in 1969—came from the Gulf of Mexico and parked over the mountains to the west of Richmond. It caused dozens of flood-related deaths in the Commonwealth, and most were inland.”
Ed’s trained to think ahead so he focuses not just on weather elements—which in case of a hurricane could result in power outages from downed trees or limited water supplies during a flood—but on how people will move. “If Virginia Beach ever orders a mandatory evacuation, residents would head this way, which means more people using hotels, gas, and grocery stores,” he explains.
Prepare before a storm by setting aside the materials you might need. Ed says, “it’s easy to put a couple days of clothes, medicines, food, and comfort items together on a ‘blue sky’ day than to try and remember everything when you’re in an emergency!” And Ed encourages people to spend this week checking your flood insurance status. You can check your flood-map status and determine what kind of support you need—insurance usually takes 30 days to become active.
Follow RHHD on Instagram @richmondcity_hd for hurricane preparedness tips this week!
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