DISASTERS in VIRGINIA

1. DISASTERS in VIRGINIA What Kinds of Disasters Can We Experience and How to Prepare!

2. Virginia's geographical diversity, from mountains to shoreline, means that the Commonwealth is open to a variety of natural disasters, ranging from severe thunderstorms to winter storms, from hurricanes to geological hazards like landslides. In addition, we must prepare for manmade threats, such as radiological and hazmat incidents and terrorist incidents.

3. Stay Informed About Your Threats • Before, during and after a disaster, it is critical that you listen for the most local, up-to-date information from emergency officials. Local media will convey instructions from local, state and federal government partners, such as: • Orders to evacuate • Details about evacuation routes • Locations of evacuation shelters • How to safely stay where you are

4. Where to find assistance • Weather warnings and watches Make sure your battery-powered radio is working in case the electricity goes out. Have extra batteries on hand. It’s also important to know what kinds of threats could affect where you live.. Knowing what to do during an emergency is an important part of being prepared.

5. Chemical & Hazmat Events Can happen anytime, anywhere • A major chemical emergency is an accident that releases a hazardous amount of a chemical into the environment. Accidents can happen underground, on railroad tracks or highways, and at manufacturing plants. These accidents sometimes result in a fire or explosion, but many times you cannot see or smell anything unusual.

6. Droughts During dry seasons, but can be year around! • While droughts tend to be less spectacular than other types of natural disasters, they actually affect more people in North America than any other type of natural hazard. • No region in North America is immune to droughts, and at least one region in the United States experiences drought in any given year.

7. FiresAnytime • To protect yourself, you must understand the basic characteristics of fire. Fire spreads quickly; there is no time to gather valuables or make a phone call. In just two minutes, a fire can become life-threatening. In five minutes, a residence can be engulfed in flames. • Heat and smoke from fire can be more dangerous than the flames. Inhaling the super-hot air can sear your lungs. Fire produces poisonous gases that make you disoriented and drowsy. Instead of being awakened by a fire, you might fall into a deeper sleep. Asphyxiation is the leading cause of fire deaths, exceeding burns by a three-to-one ratio.

8. EarthquakesAnytime • Earthquakes and Landslides can and do occur in Virginia. Their intensity may be small compared to West Coast states, but Virginians still need to be aware of this hazard and prepare their families.

9. Landslides • Landslides, also known as mudslides and debris flow, occur in all U.S. states and territories, and can be caused by a variety of factors including earthquakes, storms and fires. Landslides can occur quickly, often with little notice, the best way to plan for a mudslide is to stay informed about changes in and around your home that could signal that a Landslides is likely to occur. Look for changes in landscape and water drainage, or new cracks in foundations and sidewalks.

10. Floods Any Time it Rains • Flooding is the nation's most common natural disaster, but not all floods are alike. Some can develop slowly during an extended period of rain, or in a warming trend following a heavy snow. Others, such as flash floods, can occur quickly, even without any visible signs of rain. Be prepared for flooding no matter where you live, but particularly if you are in a low-lying area, near water or downstream from a dam. Even a very small stream or dry creek bed can overflow and create flooding.

11. Lightning & ThunderstormsAnytime of Year • In the United States, lightning kills 300 people and injures 80 on average, each year. All thunderstorms produce lightning and all have the potential for danger, including tornadoes, strong winds, hail, wildfires and flash flooding. • Lightning's risk to individuals and property is increased because of its unpredictability. It often strikes outside of heavy rain and can travel up to 15 miles in any direction. Most lightning deaths and injuries occur when people are caught outdoors in the summer months during the afternoon and evening.

12. TornadoesYear-round • Tornadoes are nature's most violent storms. They can appear suddenly without warning and can be invisible until dust and debris are picked up or a funnel cloud appears. Be prepared to act quickly. Tornadoes strike throughout Virginia, year-round

13. HurricanesAugust-late September • Hurricanes are severe tropical storms that form in the southern Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and in the eastern Pacific Ocean. Scientists can now predict hurricanes, but people who live in coastal communities should plan what they will do if they are told to evacuate.

14. Tsunamis Anywhere Along the Coast of US • Tsunamis are enormous waves caused by an underground disturbance such as an earthquake. They can move hundreds of miles per hour, and hit land with waves topping 100 feet in height.

15. Understanding the Difference Between the Terms That Identify a Tsunami Hazard: Familiarize yourself with these terms to help identify a tsunami hazard: • Advisory:An earthquake has occurred out in the ocean, which might generate a tsunami. • Watch: tsunami was or may have been generated, but is at least two hours travel time to the area in Watch status. • Warning:A tsunami was, or may have been generated, which could cause damage; therefore, people in the warned area are strongly advised to evacuate.

16. Winter Weather • Winters in Virginia can mean snow or subfreezing temperatures, as well as strong winds or even ice or heavy rain storms. Winter weather can knock out heat, power and communications services to your home or office, sometimes for days at a time.

17. TerrorismAnytime, Anywhere • Terrorism is the use of force or violence against persons or property in violation of the criminal laws of the United States for purposes of intimidation, coercion or ransom. • Terrorists bypass established institutions (such as courts), using violence against citizens to force changes in society and force governments to change policies toward their cause. • Terrorists might use weapons of mass destruction. Weapons of mass destruction include toxic or poisonous chemicals, disease organisms, dangerous radiation, explosive incendiary or poison gas bombs, grenades, rockets or missiles, mines or similar devices. Terrorists also use traditional weapons such as automatic guns or grenades in armed attacks on targets.

18. Depending on the severity and type of the attack, many things could happen in your community: • There could be many casualties. • There could be significant damage to buildings and the community’s infrastructure. • Health and mental health resources in the affected communities could be strained to the limits, might be even overwhelmed. • There could be heavy law enforcement involvement at local, state and federal levels due to the event's criminal nature. • An area might have to be evacuated. • Workplaces and schools might be closed, and there might be restrictions on domestic and international travel. • Cleanup might take months. • Public fear could continue for a prolonged period.

19. Know the Department of Homeland Security’s Threat Advisory System: Low condition (Green) Low risk of terrorism. Routine security is implemented to preclude routine criminal threats. Guarded condition (Blue) General Risk with no credible threats to specific targets. Elevated condition (Yellow) Elevated risk of terrorist attack but a specific region of the USA or target has not been identified. High condition (Orange) Credible intelligence indicates that there is a high risk of a local terrorist attack but a specific target has not been identified. Severe condition (Red) A terrorist attack has occurred or credible and corroborated intelligence indicates that one is imminent. Normally, this threat condition is declared for a specific location or critical facility.

20. Radiological & NuclearAnytime • In the event radiation is released into the atmosphere, you can take several steps to reduce your risk of exposure. Emergency Alert System radio or television stations will provide details on what actions are best for the given situation. • Listen to your EAS radio or television station to learn if you need to evacuate or stay where you are, where to get radiation tests and when radiation in the area has decreased to an acceptable level. View a list of EAS stations on www.vaemergency.com .

21. For emergencies involving the Surry or North Anna power stations, there are four different warnings: • Notification of Unusual Event: There is a problem at the nuclear facility. No action is necessary. • Alert: There is a problem at the nuclear facility that has the potential for a radiological release. No action is necessary. • Site Area Emergency: A more serious problem has occurred at the plant, and small amounts of radiation might have or could leak into the environment. Area sirens might sound, and state and local officials will act to ensure public safety. Listen to your local EAS station. • General Emergency: A very serious problem has occurred at the plant, and radiation could leak outside the plant and off the plant site. Area sirens will sound. Listen to local radio or television stations for information. State and local officials will act to ensure public safety. Be prepared to follow instructions promptly.

22. Health Threats Pandemic Flu • A pandemic is a global disease outbreak. An influenza pandemic occurs when a new influenza A virus emerges for which there is little or no immunity in the human population and the virus begins to cause serious illness and then spreads easily person-to-person worldwide. The federal government, states, communities and industry are taking steps to prepare for and respond to an influenza pandemic. • If a pandemic occurs, it is likely to be a prolonged and widespread outbreak that could require temporary changes in many areas of society, such as schools, work, transportation and other public services. An informed and prepared public can take appropriate actions to decrease their risk during a pandemic.

23. For Your VehicleAt All Times • List of emergency contact information • Small flashlight and batteries • Whistle or other noisemaker • Water • Extra medication • Copies of prescriptions • Extra pair of glasses • Hearing aid batteries

24. Pad and pencil or pen • Several blankets • Extra set of mittens or gloves, wool socks, wool cap during cold weather • Jumper cables and instructions • Small sack of sand or clay kitty litter • Small shovel • Red cloth to use as a flag • Cellular telephone • Emergency car hammer that can break glass and cut seatbelts

25. Stay Informed • Listen to weather-alert radios to stay informed of all emergency watches and warnings. • Also monitor commercial radio, television and the Internet. • Keep in mind that after a disaster, it could be hours, or even days, before emergency personnel are able to reach you.

26. If You Should Have to Evacuate Know the Road Conditions Before You Leave • Know the road conditions before you hit the highways. Visit http://www.511virginia.org or dial 511 from any phone for real-time traffic information and road condition reports. • Or visit http://www.virginiadot.org for the latest road reports or listing of closed roads during a major hurricane or storm event.

27. Let Your Family Know You Are Safe • If your community experiences a disaster, register on the American Red Cross Safe and Well Web site available through RedCross.org to let your family and friends know about your welfare. If you don’t have Internet access, call 1-866-GET-INFO to register yourself and your family.