City Officials Prep For Hurricane

The Fredericksburg Police Department has released a statement outlining the city's preparations for the storm. It reads in full below: 

City Prepares for Hurricane Irene

City officials have activated several measures in anticipation of the arrival of Hurricane Irene.  The latest weather forecast indicates that the storm will arrive in this area at approximately 3:00 am on Saturday, August 27.  By 4:00 am Sunday, Hurricane Irene should be moving northward up the coast.  The Fredericksburg area is likely to receive 2-4 inches of rain during the 24-hour storm impact timeframe, and sustained winds of 20-30 mph are expected.  There could also be wind gusts of up to 40 mph or more.  Here is a link to the National Weather Service.  

The City’s Emergency Operations Center will be open at 9:00 am Saturday and staffed with employees from the Fire Department, Police Department, Public Works, and I.T.  The EOC will remain open and staffed as long as necessary to manage the response of the City’s resources to the hurricane. 

If deemed necessary due to extended and widespread power outages and damage, the City will open an emergency shelter at James Monroe High School.  Residents should monitor local radio and news outlets to get information on the status of a shelter.  

City residents should be prepared to shelter at home.

All residents should have on hand an adequate supply of bottled water, non-perishable food items, medication, flashlights and batteries, and provisions for pets.  Here is a link to the Virginia Department of Emergency Management for more information.

 The Fire Department will staff an additional ambulance and will augment staffing on reserve fire apparatus as needed.

 The Police Department will have additional personnel working in the 911 Center to answer calls from citizens and dispatch emergency services.

The Department of Public Works will have additional staffing in place throughout the duration of the storm and its aftermath.  Residents are reminded that City crews will remove downed trees from the roadway and from sidewalks, but property owners are responsible for the removal of trees and debris that fall on private property, which includes vehicles, homes, and businesses.  The property owner should contact their own insurance company to arrange for this clean-up.  Tree debris that is stacked curbside will be removed by Public Works staff as soon as is practicable.   

The Department of Parks, Recreation, and Public Facilities has personnel on standby to mitigate the effects of storm activity on government buildings.  The Dixon Park pool will be closed on Saturday.