Arlington County Has Declared a State of Emergency

In other news, the sillies have already begun

• In response to the call to clear gutters and drains, many N Arlington residents could be seen raking their leaves onto the curb, uphill from the drains.  Um.... where do you think those leaves are going to go??? #fail
• Already heard:  "If you lose power, check our website."  Um.... If I have lost power, HOW would I check your website????
• Although many other states have announced the opening of pet-friendly emergency shelters, no word on any such shelters in our area.

If citizens dont have power, they will hopefully have access to battery powered radios and cells phones with low bandwidth capabilities (email and text message).  That's what emergency management should use to communicate during an emergency.  The statement "if you lose power, check our website" is uttered by an imbecile who apparently thinks everyone is walking around with an iphone. #fail

We just drove out I-66 and observed convoys of PIKE utility trucks coming from North Carolina, pre deploying for the storm.

County Manager Declares State of Emergency, Residents Urged to Prepare

October 28, 2012 Jennifer Smith

• Local Emergency Declaration began at noon
• Residents urged to plan for widespread power outages
• County opens Emergency Winter Shelter

ARLINGTON, VA – County Manager Barbara Donnellan today signed a Declaration of Local Emergency for Arlington County in response to Hurricane Sandy. The County is activating its Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to manage storm response. The hurricane is projected to impact the Arlington area with heavy rain and damaging winds from late Sunday night through Tuesday night.
This storm is expected to produce rainfall of between 5 and 10 inches in our area, which could cause localized flooding on area streets, low-lying areas, creeks and streams. The County expects significant tree damage, and residents, businesses and visitors should plan for widespread power outages as a result.  

To stay informed, continue to monitor Arlington Alert, the County website (www.arlingtonva.us), local news and weather stations, and all other news channels.

What Residents Can Do to Prepare

• Have flashlights and extra batteries, a battery-powered and/or hand-crank radio in case power goes out. Ensure mobile phones are fully charged. (And consider plugging in your old-fashioned land-line phone.)
• Have food that does not need refrigeration and one gallon of water per person per day. Other important items are a first aid kit, medication, and other supplies.
• Don't forget your pets and others who may need special assistance, including elderly neighbors.
• With heavy winds expected, ensure outside items in yards and on decks and patios are secure.
• Clean out gutters, storm drains, etc. (keeping drains clear of trash, leaves and branches) so rainwaters can easily flow, reducing possible flooding and ponding. Also rake leaves to cut down on flying debris and prevent clogged storm drains.
• Have a communications plan. Make sure all family members understand who to call if you get separated.
• If you live in an area prone to flooding, be prepared to relocate your family and vehicle before flood waters have an impact. If you are driving and see a street that is flooded, turn around.

More details on the County website , including who to call after the storm, clean-up tips, handling home damage, and more. We will continue to update this page throughout the storm response; check back for updates or sign up for an RSS feed.

Emergency Winter Shelter Opening

The Emergency Winter Shelter (EWS) at Courthouse will open today, Sunday, Oct. 28, at 3pm and will stay open as long as needed (it normally opens Nov. 1). A-SPAN is conducting outreach to let the homeless population know this resource is available.

Key Phone Numbers

Write these down or print them out so you have then handy in case you lose power.

• Power Outages: Dominion Virginia Power, 1-866-DOM-HELP (1-866-366-4357)
• Natural Gas Emergencies: Washington Gas 703-750-1400 or 800-752-7520. If you smell gas, leave and call 9-1-1. Washington Gas Safety Page
• Trees Down: 703-228-6525
• Street Flooding, Water, Sewer and Storm-sewer: 703-228-6555 (emergency hotline)
  (Note: During high rains, call volume is often greater than normal. Operators will respond to your call as soon as they can.)
• Traffic Signal Outages: 703-228-6511

Dominion Power Update

Dominion is currently expecting significant impact from the effects of Hurricane Sandy for much of their service territory. Their Northwest Regional Storm Center is regularly providing updates to government Emergency Operation Center (EOCs) in the region. Other news from Dominion:

• Dominion will open its Northwest Regional Storm Center at 6AM Monday October 29.
• 8,800 medical condition customers have been contacted via automated calling feature, in preparation of Hurricane Sandy, with the following message: This is an important message from Dominion. In advance of Hurricane Sandy, customers with medical needs should make preparations for extended outages. Participation in the medical needs program does not mean that you will be the first to have power restored. Please make an emergency plan for backup power or arrangements to relocate until power can be restored to your home. Thank you.
• They are working to secure additional resources to complement line, patrol and support teams.
• Additional tree crews are on hand to assist with restoration efforts.