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RVA Mag Guide to Surviving Hurricane Florence

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Hurricane Florence is coming in hot and she’s one pissed off woman. According to the National Hurricane Center, Florence has strengthened to a category 4 hurricane with winds near 130 mph.  

Dare County, North Carolina officials issued evacuation orders for the Outer Banks and Hatteras Island and Gov. Northam has declared a state of emergency for Florence, which is set to hit Virginia shores by Thursday, with high tides already swelling along Hampton Roads and much of the Atlantic seaboard. At 5 p.m. EDT Sunday, Florence had top sustained winds of 85 mph and was centered about 720 miles southeast of Bermuda while moving westward at 7 mph.

The Virginia Department of Emergency Management advises there are several indications of greater catastrophe to bear in mind as the hurricane heads to our shores.

“Hurricanes cause high winds, tornadoes, and landslides, but their deadliest hazard is flooding,” said Jeff Caldwell, Director of External Affairs at the VDEM speaking to RVA Mag on disaster preparedness last year. “Tropical storms and depressions can be just as dangerous. These threats are not just for coastal regions like Hampton Roads. Some of Virginia’s deadliest storms have struck inland and even in the western portion of Virginia. Inland flooding can be devastating and deadly.”

While the storm’s path is still unclear, whether it will merely skim much of Virginia with focus on the Carolinas, Gov. Northam wasted little time in declaring a state of emergency last Saturday in early expectancy of the storm as it intensified to a level 4 and continues to grow in strength.

And while many sites offer their own list of hurricane essentials, we at RVA Mag decided to put together one of our own. What you will find below is a complete list of supplies to prepare yourself for the mighty Florence, with a few fun items thrown into the mix to make the stormy days to come bearable. We recommend purchasing any of these you feel necessary at least 48 hours of when the hurricane is expected to hit, as stores will be crazier than a sale on hacky sacks at VCU.

  • Water- at least a four-day supply; one gallon per person per day
  • Food- at least a three-day supply of non-perishable, easy to prepare food. 
  • Flashlight
  • Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible)
  • Extra batteries
  • First Aid Kit
  • Medications (7-day supply) and medical items (contact lenses, if needed, syringes, canes)
  • Multi-purpose tools (Including all the wrenches and swiss army knives your uncle probably gave you for Christmas three years in a row)
  • Sanitation and personal hygiene items – deodorant will be a must, waterless shampoos and conditioners are available at some grocery stores.
  • Extra Cash
  • Family and emergency contact information- write it down on a pad or notebook.
  • Emergency Blanket- cuddle in style.
  • Map of the area
  • Baby Supplies, if needed (bottles, formula, baby food, diapers)
  • Tools/supplies for securing your home- knife, escrima sticks, pet barracudas, hulk hands
  • Extra set of keys for car, bike, and home
  • Clean clothing, sturdy shoes
  • Rain gear- an umbrella in a hurricane is a fool’s game, just get a jacket or poncho if you can.
  • Sunscreen (not being ironic)
  • Important Documents (Insurance policies, medical information, proof of address, birth certificates, passports)
  • Camera- for all the “professional” photographers out there, hurricanes make for great Instagram stories and rarely require a filter. But it’s also important to take photos of damage to your home and property, for insurance purposes.

Now here are some things we threw in to save yourself from the second deadliest thing in the midst of a hurricane: Boredom.

  • Cannabis- That Columbia gold, the fire, the tweet, you know what we mean. We don’t recommend any other substances to be stuck in an enclosed space with, so make sure you load up on a healthy stockpile of greenery. And RAW papers work well and taste fantastic if you have a bubbler or bong, now is the time to change out the water.
  • Munchies-If you’re partaking in the above, it’s not complete without a stocked pantry full of Funyuns, soda, cheese puffs, Fritos, Double-Stuffed Oreos, Pop-Tarts, Pringles, candy bars, or anything else that suits your fancy after blazing one or four.
  • What’s weed and munchies without its third partner in crime? Booze. Whether you’re a red wine lover, stick to the finest of whiskeys, or a pack of PBR will do the trick, it’s imperative you stock up on your preferred poison to get you through the storm. Although make sure you have a DRG, that’s designated raft guide, in case you need to venture out into the storm in search of higher ground. Literally.
  • Engage in some good ol’ fashioned Hurricane sex. Hey, why not get some exercise and have a little fun to pass the time?
  • Board games. I know, I know, in the age of cell phones and Netflix I’m sure we’re getting some crazy stares and laughs, but people do still play them and can be a good way to pass the time. Crush your friends and/or significant other in a game of Clue by candlelight or do some day drinking and play the college favorites, “Kings”, “Cards Against Humanity,” beer pong, and flip cup.  
  • For some light reading when the Wifi kicks out and hysteria ensues we recommend: “For Whom The Bells Toll” by Ernest Hemingway, “Isaac’s Storm: A Man, a Time, and the Deadliest Hurricane in History” by Erik Larson (to make one plenty paranoid) “Guerilla Warfare” by Che Guevara, “The Man Who Mistook His Wife For A Hat” by Oliver Sacks, “Infinite Jest” by David Foster Wallace (you might finish the first 900 pages by the end of the weekend), and “Fire and Fear: Trump in The White House” by Bob Woodward (For a good laugh and later anxiety).   

While much of the list provided above is from the Red Cross Emergency Preparedness List, please do not hesitate to visit the Red Cross online for further information what to do in the days ahead. To learn how to make an emergency preparedness kit, check out the video from the American Red Cross below:

Stay alive out there Richmond!

Disaster Preparedness: What You Need to Know

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Hurricane season is here, and this one’s already a doozy. According to scientists at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the 2017 season holds records for the highest number of major hurricanes in more than 10 years, and the highest number of consecutive hurricanes since the satellite era — such as Harvey, Irma, Jose, and Katia. Explanations for these trends range from climate change to unpredictable global patterns to simple randomness.

James Keck, a professor of Emergency Management at VCU,  has a lot of experience with hurricanes as the former Deputy State Coordinator at the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM). And with all that one-on-one time spent with natural disaster, Keck has come up with some theories of his own.

Hurrican Irma and Hurrican Jose. Photo by NOAA

“In Revelations, it talks about the end of the world — and if you believe in god, I think that he knew if he put all these people on Earth, there would be a breaking point,” he said. “Anybody that logically thinks this through has to realize that we’re stressing this planet to its limit and that it’s bound to react.”

Apocalypse or not, there are definitely ways to be prepared for severe weather like hurricanes. Reassuringly, citizens can also be certain that even in the event of fire and brimstone, the government has plans set in place, at least in Virginia.

“Virginia emergency managers are in close contact with the National Weather Service, the National Hurricane Center, and others to closely monitor the development of storms long before they threaten the United States,” said Jeff Caldwell, Director of External Affairs at the VDEM.  “We use the latest weather forecasting and scientific data to develop emergency response plans throughout the year.”

The department relies on satellite imagery, aircraft observations from the Air Force Reserve, and track/intensity forecast models that provide information about the direction and strength of each individual storm. In the event of a major hurricane, the department sets in motion the process of declaring a statewide, official state of emergency.

“When storm track appears to narrow in on Virginia, VDEM works with the Governor’s Office to consider what resources might be necessary to combat the storm and address its impacts,” said Caldwell. “A state of emergency is a tool that allows Virginia to mobilize National Guard and state assets in advance of a storm impacting the state.”

The VDEM works with other local, state and federal governments to provide resources such as manpower, water, vehicles and generators for those in need. During times of devastation, the department also works closely with local law enforcement.

“Emergency events are inherently a local response activity,” said Caldwell. “Law enforcement, EMS, and firefighters at the local level are the first responders that help keep Virginians safe and speed to their aid when a storm impacts citizens. Working together, VDEM can process a locality’s request for additional law enforcement help during an emergency and can help shift resources into the area.”

So what should Virginians expect during a hurricane? According to Keck, the answer is everything and anything — his philosophy is proactive preparedness.

“Richmond is significantly inland,” he said. “But there are still dangers here and throughout the state of Virginia during a hurricane. You can never be too safe.”

The Department of Emergency Management advises there are several potential catastrophes that citizens should remain cautious of during a hurricane.

“Hurricanes cause high winds, tornadoes, and landslides, but their deadliest hazard is flooding,” said Caldwell. “Tropical storms and depressions can be just as dangerous. These threats are not just for coastal regions like Hampton Roads. Some of Virginia’s deadliest storms have struck inland and even in the western portion of Virginia. Inland flooding can be devastating and deadly.”

Hurrican Irma. Photo by FEMA

Most experts and officials recommend three steps for remaining safe during a hurricane — making a plan, assembling an emergency kit and staying informed.

“Disaster kits include food, water, and medications — for you, your family and your pets,”

Jonathan Mcnamara, the communications director of the Richmond Red Cross, said. “Also include any important documents, such as your passport, deed or titles — things you might need if you get separated from your home.”

Making these disaster kits is especially crucial in light of the devastation Texas, Florida, and Puerto Rico have endured this hurricane season. In Puerto Rico alone, entire communities were swept away in the storm and 70 percent of the island still remains without power.

Making a plan for what you should do if you get separated from your family, sustain an injury during a disaster, or have to evacuate the area is also important. Evacuation is a major safety routine during hurricanes – it is essential to know where you need to go.

“Interstate 64 is the evacuation route nearest to Richmond,” Keck said. “You need to evacuate as soon as possible, or you’ll be sitting in traffic when the hurricane hits.”

To learn how to make an emergency preparedness kit,  check out the video from the American Red Cross below: 

*Video courtesy of Red Cross