DISASTERSDISASTERS in in VIRGINIAVIRGINIA

What Kinds of Disasters Can What Kinds of Disasters Can We Experience and How to We Experience and How to

Prepare!Prepare!

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

Stay Informed About Your ThreatsStay Informed About Your Threats

Before, during and after a disaster, it is critical Before, during and after a disaster, it is critical that you listen for the most local, up-to-date that you listen for the most local, up-to-date information from emergency officials. Local information from emergency officials. Local media will convey instructions from local, media will convey instructions from local, state and federal government partners, such as:state and federal government partners, such as:

Orders to evacuate Orders to evacuate Details about evacuation routes Details about evacuation routes Locations of evacuation shelters Locations of evacuation shelters How to safely stay where you are How to safely stay where you are

Where to find assistance Where to find assistance Weather warnings and watchesWeather warnings and watches

Make sure your battery-powered radio is Make sure your battery-powered radio is working in case the electricity goes out. Have working in case the electricity goes out. Have

extra batteries on hand.extra batteries on hand.

It’s also important to know what kinds of threats It’s also important to know what kinds of threats could affect where you live.. Knowing what to could affect where you live.. Knowing what to do during an emergency is an important part of do during an emergency is an important part of

being prepared.being prepared.

Chemical & Hazmat Events Chemical & Hazmat Events Can happen anytime, anywhere

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

Droughts Droughts During dry seasons, but can be year around!

While droughts tend to be less spectacular than While droughts tend to be less spectacular than other types of natural disasters, they actually other types of natural disasters, they actually affect more people in North America than any affect more people in North America than any other type of natural hazard. other type of natural hazard.

No region in North America is immune to No region in North America is immune to droughts, and at least one region in the United droughts, and at least one region in the United States experiences drought in any given year. States experiences drought in any given year.

FiresFiresAnytime

To protect yourself, you must understand the basic To protect yourself, you must understand the basic characteristics of fire. Fire spreads quickly; there is no time to characteristics of fire. Fire spreads quickly; there is no time to gather valuables or make a phone call. In just two minutes, a gather valuables or make a phone call. In just two minutes, a fire can become life-threatening. In five minutes, a residence fire can become life-threatening. In five minutes, a residence can be engulfed in flames.can be engulfed in flames.

Heat and smoke from fire can be more dangerous than the Heat and smoke from fire can be more dangerous than the flames. Inhaling the super-hot air can sear your lungs. Fire flames. Inhaling the super-hot air can sear your lungs. Fire produces poisonous gases that make you disoriented and produces poisonous gases that make you disoriented and drowsy. Instead of being awakened by a fire, you might fall drowsy. Instead of being awakened by a fire, you might fall into a deeper sleep. Asphyxiation is the leading cause of fire into a deeper sleep. Asphyxiation is the leading cause of fire deaths, exceeding burns by a three-to-one ratio.deaths, exceeding burns by a three-to-one ratio.

EarthquakesEarthquakesAnytime

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

LandslidesLandslides

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

Floods Floods Any Time it Rains

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

Lightning & ThunderstormsLightning & Thunderstorms Anytime of Year

In the United States, lightning kills 300 people and In the United States, lightning kills 300 people and injures 80 on average, each year. All thunderstorms injures 80 on average, each year. All thunderstorms produce lightning and all have the potential for produce lightning and all have the potential for danger, including tornadoes, strong winds, hail, danger, including tornadoes, strong winds, hail, wildfires and flash flooding.wildfires and flash flooding.

Lightning's risk to individuals and property is Lightning's risk to individuals and property is increased because of its unpredictability. It often increased because of its unpredictability. It often strikes outside of heavy rain and can travel up to 15 strikes outside of heavy rain and can travel up to 15 miles in any direction. Most lightning deaths and miles in any direction. Most lightning deaths and injuries occur when people are caught outdoors in the injuries occur when people are caught outdoors in the summer months during the afternoon and evening. summer months during the afternoon and evening.

TornadoesTornadoes YYear-round

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

HurricanesHurricanesAugust-late September

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

Tsunamis Tsunamis Anywhere Along the Coast of US

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

Understanding the Difference Between

the Terms That Identify a Tsunami Hazard:

Familiarize yourself with these terms to help identify a tsunamihazard: 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.

Winter WeatherWinter Weather

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

TerrorismTerrorismAnytime, Anywhere

Terrorism is the use of force or violence against persons or Terrorism is the use of force or violence against persons or property in violation of the criminal laws of the United States property in violation of the criminal laws of the United States for purposes of intimidation, coercion or ransom. for purposes of intimidation, coercion or ransom.

Terrorists bypass established institutions (such as courts), Terrorists bypass established institutions (such as courts), using violence against citizens to force changes in society and using violence against citizens to force changes in society and force governments to change policies toward their cause. force governments to change policies toward their cause.

Terrorists might use weapons of mass destruction. Weapons of Terrorists might use weapons of mass destruction. Weapons of mass destruction include toxic or poisonous chemicals, disease mass destruction include toxic or poisonous chemicals, disease organisms, dangerous radiation, explosive incendiary or organisms, dangerous radiation, explosive incendiary or poison gas bombs, grenades, rockets or missiles, mines or poison gas bombs, grenades, rockets or missiles, mines or similar devices. Terrorists also use traditional weapons such as similar devices. Terrorists also use traditional weapons such as automatic guns or grenades in armed attacks on targets. automatic guns or grenades in armed attacks on targets.

Depending on the severity and type of the attack, many things Depending on the severity and type of the attack, many things could happen in your community:could happen in your community:

There could be many casualties. There could be many casualties. There could be significant damage to buildings and the There could be significant damage to buildings and the

community’s infrastructure. community’s infrastructure. Health and mental health resources in the affected Health and mental health resources in the affected

communities could be strained to the limits, might be even communities could be strained to the limits, might be even overwhelmed. overwhelmed.

There could be heavy law enforcement involvement at local, There could be heavy law enforcement involvement at local, state and federal levels due to the event's criminal nature. state and federal levels due to the event's criminal nature.

An area might have to be evacuated. An area might have to be evacuated. Workplaces and schools might be closed, and there might be Workplaces and schools might be closed, and there might be

restrictions on domestic and international travel. restrictions on domestic and international travel. Cleanup might take months. Cleanup might take months. Public fear could continue for a prolonged period.Public fear could continue for a prolonged period.

Know the Department of Homeland Know the Department of Homeland Security’s Threat Advisory System: Security’s Threat Advisory System:

Low condition (Green) Low risk of terrorism. Routine security is implemented to Low risk of terrorism. Routine security is implemented to preclude routine criminal threats.preclude routine criminal threats.

Guarded condition (Blue) General Risk with no credible threats to specific targets. General Risk with no credible threats to specific targets.

Elevated condition (Yellow) Elevated risk of terrorist attack but a specific region Elevated risk of terrorist attack but a specific region of the USA or target has not been identified.of the USA or target has not been identified.

High condition (Orange) Credible intelligence indicates that there is a high risk of Credible intelligence indicates that there is a high risk of a local terrorist attack but a specific target has not been identified.a local terrorist attack but a specific target has not been identified.

Severe condition (Red) A terrorist attack has occurred or credible and A terrorist attack has occurred or credible and corroborated intelligence indicates that one is imminent. Normally, this threat corroborated intelligence indicates that one is imminent. Normally, this threat condition is declared for a specific location or critical facility.condition is declared for a specific location or critical facility.

Radiological & NuclearRadiological & Nuclear Anytime

In the event radiation is released into the atmosphere, In the event radiation is released into the atmosphere, you can take several steps to reduce your risk of you can take several steps to reduce your risk of exposure. Emergency Alert System radio or exposure. Emergency Alert System radio or television stations will provide details on what television stations will provide details on what actions are best for the given situation.actions are best for the given situation.

Listen to your EAS radio or television station to learn Listen to your EAS radio or television station to learn if you need to evacuate or stay where you are, where if you need to evacuate or stay where you are, where to get radiation tests and when radiation in the area to get radiation tests and when radiation in the area has decreased to an acceptable level. View a list of has decreased to an acceptable level. View a list of EAS stations on EAS stations on www.vaemergency.comwww.vaemergency.com . .

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.

Health ThreatsHealth Threats

Pandemic FluPandemic Flu A pandemic is a global disease outbreak. An influenza A pandemic is a global disease outbreak. An influenza

pandemic occurs when a new influenza A virus emerges for pandemic occurs when a new influenza A virus emerges for which there is little or no immunity in the human population which there is little or no immunity in the human population and the virus begins to cause serious illness and then spreads and the virus begins to cause serious illness and then spreads easily person-to-person worldwide. The federal government, easily person-to-person worldwide. The federal government, states, communities and industry are taking steps to prepare states, communities and industry are taking steps to prepare for and respond to an influenza pandemic.for and respond to an influenza pandemic.

If a pandemic occurs, it is likely to be a prolonged and If a pandemic occurs, it is likely to be a prolonged and widespread outbreak that could require temporary changes in widespread outbreak that could require temporary changes in many areas of society, such as schools, work, transportation many areas of society, such as schools, work, transportation and other public services. An informed and prepared public and other public services. An informed and prepared public can take appropriate actions to decrease their risk during a can take appropriate actions to decrease their risk during a pandemic. pandemic.

For Your VehicleFor 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

Pad and pencil or pen Pad and pencil or pen Several blankets Several blankets Extra set of mittens or gloves, wool socks, wool cap Extra set of mittens or gloves, wool socks, wool cap

during cold weather during cold weather Jumper cables and instructions Jumper cables and instructions Small sack of sand or clay kitty litter Small sack of sand or clay kitty litter Small shovel Small shovel Red cloth to use as a flag Red cloth to use as a flag Cellular telephone Cellular telephone Emergency car hammer that can break glass and cut Emergency car hammer that can break glass and cut

seatbeltsseatbelts

Stay InformedStay Informed

Listen to weather-alert radios to stay informed Listen to weather-alert radios to stay informed of all emergency watches and warnings. of all emergency watches and warnings.

Also monitor commercial radio, television and Also monitor commercial radio, television and the Internet. the Internet.

Keep in mind that after a disaster, it could be Keep in mind that after a disaster, it could be hours, or even days, before emergency hours, or even days, before emergency personnel are able to reach you.personnel are able to reach you.

If You Should Have to EvacuateIf You Should Have to Evacuate

Know the Road Conditions Before You LeaveKnow 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.

Let Your Family Know You Are Let Your Family Know You Are SafeSafe

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.