RICHMOND—Governor Ralph Northam advised Virginians today, Sept. 5, to finalize their preparations and take shelter as Hurricane Dorian impacts Virginia overnight tonight and throughout Friday. Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) officials and partners have worked since last week preparing for the arrival of Hurricane Dorian in southeastern and coastal Virginia. Virginians in coastal areas … Continue reading
NORFOLK, VA – City of Norfolk crews have been preparing for the storm and have been cleaning storm drains and ditches to ease potential flooding. In addition, extra crews are on standby to respond to downed trees due to the wind. Please ensure curbs, gutters and ditches on your property are clear of debris. Be … Continue reading
Hurricane Dorian remains a dangerous hurricane and is expected to move up the Southeast US coast today, approaching the North Carolina coast Thursday and Friday. There is still some uncertainty regarding the exact forecast track, but significant impacts are expected across eastern Virginia and Eastern North Carolina. Regardless, this is a very large system and … Continue reading
~ Updates enhance coordination, outline state agency responsibilities to support emergency operations in the Commonwealth ~ RICHMOND—On Tuesday, Sept. 3, Governor Ralph Northam issued the new Commonwealth of Virginia Emergency Operations Plan (COVEOP), which lays out improvements to policies and plans for responding to hurricanes or other major natural disasters in Virginia. With the peak … Continue reading
Hurricane season begins in less than one month, June 1. Homeowners, renters and business owners should prepare now. Two hurricanes have struck in North Carolina in the past three years. Survivors of these storms learned first-hand about the dangers of flooding, heavy rainfall and storm surge. Take action now: Know your risk. Visit FEMA’s Flood … Continue reading
ASHBURN, Va. (AP) — Josh Norman doesn’t believe enough attention is being paid to the situation hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico and is trying to change that. The Washington Redskins cornerback is donating $50,000 to the Boys & Girls Clubs in Puerto Rico and wants to convince other athletes, celebrities, corporations and foundations to donate another $200,000. … Continue reading
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate is pushing ahead on a $36.5 billion hurricane relief package that would give Puerto Rico a much-needed infusion of cash. The measure also would replenish rapidly dwindling emergency disaster accounts and provide $16 billion to permit the financially troubled federal flood insurance program to pay an influx of Harvey-related claims. … Continue reading
JERSEY CITY, N.J. (AP) — President Donald Trump didn’t just present the Presidents Cup trophy to the winning American team on Sunday. He dedicated it to the people who have endured hurricanes in Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico. Trump, the honorary chairman of the event, became the first sitting president to attend the matches on … Continue reading
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Even without rescuing anyone from the rubble after Mexico’s big earthquake, a photogenic yellow Labrador retriever named Frida has gained an international social media following. At least 344 people died in the Sept. 19 earthquake, including 205 in Mexico City. For days, rescuers who tunneled into huge mounds of debris and … Continue reading
North Carolina latest to suffer in 2017 hurricane season WAVES, N.C. (AP) — Winds and storm surge from Tropical Storm Maria lashed North Carolina’s Outer Banks on Wednesday as the storm moved by well off-shore. Dare County Emergency Management Director Drew Pearson said in an email that the high tide early … Continue reading
MONTEBELLO, Puerto Rico (AP) — Relatives helped Maribel Valentin Espino find shelter when Hurricane Maria roared through her community in northern Puerto Rico. Neighbors formed volunteer brigades to cut fallen trees and clear twisty mountain roads after the storm had passed. Now, friends and a local cattle ranch provide the water they need to survive … Continue reading
RICHMOND — Governor McAuliffe, on Sept. 22, authorized the Virginia National Guard to send 120 soldiers to the U.S. Virgin Islands to join a multi-state, multi-agency response effort to recent hurricanes. The Commonwealth of Virginia continues to send needed supplies, personnel and expertise into the storm-ravaged areas to assist with recovery and give emergency managers on the ground a … Continue reading
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) — The islands of the eastern Caribbean prepared Sunday to face another potential disaster, with forecasters saying newly formed and strengthening Hurricane Maria was headed for a hit on the Leeward Islands by Monday night. Hurricane or tropical storm warnings were posted for many of the islands, including those already … Continue reading
MARIGOT, St. Martin (AP) — Nearing the end of a sweeping visit to assess the devastation wrought by Hurricane Irma, French President Emmanuel Macron has promised to rebuild the wrecked island of St. Martin and diversify its economy from a sole reliance on tourism. Macron stayed overnight on St. Martin, reportedly sleeping on a … Continue reading
HOLLYWOOD, Fla. (AP) Hollywood Police Chief Tom Sanchez said investigators believe the five deaths at the Rehabilitation Center at Hollywood Hills were heat-related, and added: “The building has been sealed off and we are conducting a criminal investigation.” He gave no details. A total of 115 patients were evacuated from the nursing home, which lost … Continue reading
TAMPA, Florida (AP) — A weakened but still dangerous Irma pushed inland Monday as it hammered Florida with winds that created hazards for rescuers and flooding that set a record in one city. Irma was downgraded to a tropical storm over Florida, but it still had winds near hurricane force. Its outer bands were also … Continue reading
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The Latest on Hurricane Irma (all times local): 6 p.m. President Donald Trump has declared a major disaster in the state of Florida, making federal aid available to people affected by Hurricane Irma in nine counties already hit by the storm. The federal help includes temporary housing and home repairs, … Continue reading
CAIBARIEN, Cuba (AP) — Hurricane Irma battered the Turks and Caicos Islands early Friday and Cuba evacuated tourists from beachside resorts as the fearsome storm continued a rampage through the Caribbean that has killed at least 11 people, with Florida in its sights. Waves as high as 20 feet (6 meters) were expected in the … Continue reading
MIAMI (AP) — As Hurricane Irma threatens to pound Miami with winds of mind-boggling power, a heavyweight hazard looms over the city’s skyline: two dozen enormous construction cranes. And because those cranes weren’t designed to withstand a storm of Irma’s ferocity, city officials are telling people who live in the shadows of the giant lifting … Continue reading
MIAMI (AP) — The Latest on Hurricane Irma (all times local): 9:25 a.m. All five living former U.S. presidents have issued a joint “One America Appeal” for donations to support the staggering recovery needs from Hurricane Harvey. Now that Hurricane Irma has damaged Puerto Rico and is closing in on Florida, the presidents are expanding … Continue reading
WASHINGTON (AP) — For an entire generation in South Florida, Hurricane Andrew was the monster storm that reshaped a region. Irma is likely to blow that out of the water. Bigger and with a 90-degree different path of potential destruction, Irma is forecast to hit lots more people and buildings than 1992’s Andrew, said experts, … Continue reading
KEY LARGO, Fla. (AP) — Residents of the Florida Keys are known for riding out hurricanes, but with Irma’s potentially catastrophic wind and rain set to crash through the low-lying island chain this weekend, not many seem willing to risk it this time. Throughout Florida, officials and residents are making preparations, but forecasts indicate the … Continue reading
WASHINGTON (AP) — With federal disaster reserves running out, the House is swiftly moving to pass President Donald Trump’s request for a $7.9 billion first installment of relief for victims of Harvey. GOP leaders also hope to use the urgent Harvey aid bill to solve a far more vexing issue: Increasing the U.S. debt limit … Continue reading
ST. JOHN’S, Antigua (AP) — The most powerful Atlantic Ocean hurricane in recorded history bore down on the islands of the northeast Caribbean on Tuesday night, following a path predicted to then rake Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Cuba before possibly heading for Florida over the weekend. At the far northeastern edge of … Continue reading
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Hurricane Irma grew into a dangerous Category 5 storm, the most powerful seen in the Atlantic in over a decade, and roared toward islands in the northeast Caribbean Tuesday on a path that could eventually take it to the United States. The U.S. National Hurricane Center said Irma was … Continue reading
