VDEM Shares Tips for 'Hurricane Preparedness Week'

Richmond, Va. (Newsradiowrva.com) - The Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) has declared this week, May 13-17, "Hurricane Preparedness Week."

With Atlantic hurricane season set to begin June 1, Jason Elsmore of VDEM is providing tips that he hopes will give people time to properly prepare.

“As Virginia braces for the hurricane season, we urge all residents to prioritize safety and readiness,” said Elmore. “With proactive planning and community cooperation, we can navigate any storm with resilience and strength. Let us come together to ensure all Virginians are prepared for whatever may come our way.”

VDEM recommends having an evacuation plan for your household, as well as a prepared kit with items necessary in an emergency. These kits should include enough food, water, and supplies to last at least 72 hours.

They also recommend planning in advance where you will go and the evacuation route in case of severe weather. Also, know how you will communicate and reconnect with family in an emergency.

While strong winds are less of a concern in Central Virginia, flooding provides a far greater threat. The last several years have seen an uptick in named storms reaching Central Virginia, and there have been several recent instances of damaging floods in central and western Virginia.

With that in mind, VDEM recommends getting flood insurance. Usually, it takes up to 30 days for a flood insurance policy to kick in, so VDEM recommends getting it started now. Often people don’t realize flood insurance policies are needed to protect against damage from wind and floods.

You can sign up to receive VDEM emergency alerts here .