Chesapeake In The Know

When a hurricane is forecast to head towards our area, it's important to quickly and carefully make all your last-minute preparations. Here are a few things you should know and do.

Build your emergency kit. Have at least 3 days worth of supplies for everyone in your household. Don’t forget your pets! And remember COVID-19 related needs like hand sanitizer, masks, and cleaning supplies.

Know Your Zone. Find your evacuation zone so you know if you’re called to evacuate. Make an evacuation plan. Where would you go? Ideally, you’ll find a hurricane buddy across town in a different evacuation zone who you can hunker down with until it’s safe to return to your home. This is a better option than heading west or leaving the state entirely. Stay nearby but in a safe location. And do everything you can to NOT rely on any public sheltering which will be challenging considering COVID-19.

Sign up for Chesapeake Alert. Can we reach you if there’s an immediate emergency near your home or work? We can if you sign up for Chesapeake Alert. Through this alert system, you can create your own profile and choose how and when we can get in touch with you. You can also opt in to several helpful alerts such as travel advisories, garbage collection reminders, and weather alerts.

Know the official information sources. There are a lot of “experts” on the internet.  Here are the sources you can trust:

• City of Chesapeake
  • Facebook: CityOfChesapeake
  • Twitter: @AboutChesapeake
• National Weather Service
  • Facebook: NWSWakefieldVA
  • Twitter: @NWSWakefieldVA
• Virginia Dept. of Emergency Management
  • Facebook: VAEmergency
  • Twitter: @VDEM
• Federal Emergency Management Agency
  • Facebook: FEMA
  • Twitter: @FEMARegion3

For more information on storm preparation, response and recovery, visit Chesapeake Hazards: Hurricanes.