With the possibility of Ashland experiencing severe weather next week due to Hurricane Irma, it would be wise to begin preparing. We have put together the following list of helpful preparation tips.
Here are two great ways to stay up to date:
• Sign up for the Ashland Police Department's Nixle alerts. APD offers an online service called Nixle that residents and visitors can use to receive e-mails, text messages, or both regarding severe weather, traffic alerts, major incidents, and other police activities. Click on the following link learn more and sign up: Nixle Alerts.
•Sign up for Notify Me on the Town's website. Notify Me is an online service that residents and visitors can use to receive e-mails, text messages, or both regarding severe weather, traffic alerts, major incidents, business related information, job openings, trash and recycling pick up reminders, and bid postings. In order to receive severe weather related text and emails, sign up for Town News Items under News Flash and Emergency Alerts under Alerts Center. Click on the following link to sign up: Notify Me.
What people should do:
• The storm’s path can change at any time. Stay tuned to local news and officials for weather updates and advisories. Take all instructions from your local officials seriously.
• Know where to go if the situation changes and you need to evacuate. Review your evacuation route(s) & listen to local officials.
• Put together a disaster supply kit, including a flashlight, batteries, cash, first aid supplies, and copies of your critical information if you need to evacuate.
• If you are not in an area that is advised to evacuate and you decide to stay in your home, plan for adequate supplies (3 gallons of water per person, food for 3 days, and personal medications) in case you lose power and water for several days and you are not able to leave due to flooding or blocked roads.
• Make a family emergency communication plan (www.ready.gov/make-a-plan).
Things you can do to prepare:
• Download the free Ready Virginia app for iPhone® and Android™, which features a customizable emergency plan, a checklist for gathering emergency supplies and an “I’m Safe!” feature that allows you to quickly send a text message to let family and friends know you are safe.
• Check out the Virginia Department of Emergency Management’s new website at www.vaemergency.gov.
Stay informed:
• Listen to NOAA Weather Radio and your local media to know when flood watches and warnings are issued.
• More flood preparedness information is available at www.vaemergency.gov/readyvirginia/stayinformed/floods.
Other Resources:
• If you need help, information or resources during or after the storm, call 211. Those with hearing impairments can call 711 to connect to the Virginia Relay Center for assistance with the call. Videophone users may dial 1-800-230-6977.
• www.vaemergency.gov – go online or on your smart phone for statewide storm updates
• @vdem – Twitter feed for storm updates from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management-
• VAemergency – Facebook page for VDEM
• @ListoVirginia , twitter feed in Spanish and listovirginia1 on Facebook