Irene - End of Messages

Irene - Press Release

All of Essex County's normal routine was disrupted this weekend by Hurricane Irene. Following an Emergency Management briefing on Thursday the county's emergency plan went into operation. County agencies were represented and explained their preparation. A shelter was scheduled to open at 10:00AM on Saturday and it was closed at noon on Sunday under the able leadership of Sue Swann and served 101people. The Emergency Operation Center at the sheriff's office was open on Saturday at 8:00AM.

The center is the operational brain for a very diverse group of services to serve Essex in time of emergency. In and out of this center are county leaders and volunteers. Coordinators such as Larry Smith and administrators such as David Whitlow were present most of the time. The center is connected to emergency workers by phone and radio. The center provided coordination for law enforcement, rescue, fire and others. The public was informed of changing events and safety warnings by public information personnel by utilizing the local radio stations.

People who work in emergency services are particular critical of themselves in any operation but Larry Smith was pleased with how smoothly the counties response went. Dave Whitlow on Sunday was already into recovery mode making plans for clean up.

Bob McKinley PIO ESSEX COUNTY EMERGENCY SERVICES

Irene #15 - THANK YOU COMMUNITY!

Essex County Emergency Management Services wishes to thank attitude and performance during this very stressful visit of Hurricane Irene.

In particular, EMS wishes to especially thank the Fire and Rescue personnel, Town and County law enforcement, VDOT personnel, Town public works department, Dominion Resources, Rappahannock Electric and Verizon employees, the many State Agencies offering assistance, the people responsible for sheltering residents during the storm, especially WRAR and WNNT for their on-the-air constant support and the personnel of Emergency Management Services and Emergency Operations Center.

The outstanding response of all personnel and citizens is a testament to the strength of our community.

Irene #14 - JUVENILE DOMESTIC COURT CLOSED

Essex County Juvenile Domestic Relations court will be closed Monday, August 29.

Please contact the clerk's office [804-443-3744] for your new court date.

Irene #13 - COUNTY OFFICES

County offices will be closed tomorrow to public business in order to assess damages. The Board of Supervisors will meet in public hearing at 11:00AM to ratify the emergency services organizations for state programs. The Board will also adopt the resolution to declare the Hurricane Irene emergency.

Irene #12 - ROAD CLEARING

There are three National Guard teams and contractors working to clear the county's primary road system [Routes 17 & 360] and the most heavily traveled secondary roads. If you must drive exercise extreme care to avoid these workers and their equipment.

Irene #11 - SAFETY REPORTING

The information numbers at the Essex County Emergency Operation Center should be used to report safety issues. This center has no information about power outage, blocked roads or business openings.

Irene #10 - COUNTY STATUS

Essex County Emergency Services will continue to provide a shelter to county residents throughout the night until the end of the storm – some 40 residents have taken advantage of the shelter at Essex intermediate school.

It is critical that all residents stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary as there is very high likelihood that your journey will be obstructed due to fallen trees across the roadway.

Widespread power outages in both Dominion Virginia Power and Rappahannock Electric areas have been reported with over 60% of customers impacted.  Please use the call-back feature to have the power company automatically call you back with an estimate of reconnection.

Tomorrow, when the storm has passed, residents of Essex County need to be extremely vigilant and alert to potentially live downed power lines and fallen trees across roadways.

If you decide to evacuate from your residence, the EOC highly recommends you disconnect power at the main switch so that reconnection does not cause damage to your property.

Irene #9 - TRAFFIC ALERTS

Essex County Emergency Services alerts all travelers on both major highways and secondary roads to be vigilant of vehicles traveling in the wrong direction in their lane because vehicles are forced to turn around to avoid fallen trees blocking their direction of travel. It is critical that all residents stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary as there is very high likelihood that their journey will be obstructed due to fallen trees across the roadway.

Irene #8 - ROUTE 17 BLOCKED

Essex County Emergency Services advises travelers that Route 17 Northbound lane is closed at Loretto near the First Baptist Church.

All county residents are reminded to stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary as VDOT is only removing fallen trees from Routes 17 & 360, and Essex County Emergency Operation Center is receiving continuous reports of falling trees in the county.

Irene #7 - FALLING TREES

Essex County Emergency Services has been notified by VDOT that they will only be clearing fallen trees from Routes 17 & 360. Secondary roads will not be cleared of fallen trees until the storm has receded except in situations where emergency services require access. All county residents are reminded to stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary as the Emergency Operation Center is receiving continuous reports of falling trees in the county.

Irene #6 - Business Closures

Essex County Emergency Services advises that most businesses on Tappahannock Boulevard, south of Hoskins Creek to Brays Fork have lost power. Business closures due to loss of power include Food Lion, Walmart, Sheetz, Lowe's and all service stations.

Irene #5 - FLOODING ALERT

Essex County Emergency Services advises that flooding is currently taking place.  Piers along the Rappahannock River are now under water.  We have sustained winds of 30 mph. 

If you need to contact the Essex County Emergency Operation Center, call 443-4395 or 443-4519 for further information. Residents are encouraged to reserve use of 911 and Sheriff's Department numbers for serious emergencies.

Irene #4 - DOWNING BRIDGE

Residents should be aware that THE DOWNING BRIDGE (RTE. 360) ESSEX TO RICHMOND COUNTY may temporarily close to vehicular traffic when sustained wind speed reaches 45mph.
Essex County Emergency Services recommends that you remain off the roads until Hurricane Irene has passed. Non-ambulatory persons with special needs who require shelter should contact the Essex Emergency Operation Center at 443-4395 or 443-4519 for further information. You're encouraged to make relocation decisions as soon as possible as emergency transportation will not be available during the peak of the storm. Residents are encouraged to reserve use of 911 and Sheriff's Department numbers for serious emergencies.

Irene #3 - ESSEX COUNTY DECLARES STATE OF EMERGENCY

Due to weather conditions related to Hurricane Irene, the Director of Emergency Services has declared a State of Emergency for Essex County. Wind speeds 50-60 miles per hour, gusts to over 70 mph, are expected to begin in the area on Saturday morning, lasting through the night. Rain accumulations from 2-5"  are anticipated; storm surges of 2' – 5' can be expected. The County has opened its Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to coordinate the efforts to prepare for the impact of the impending hurricane.
County staff strongly encourages voluntary evacuation of the Lowery's Point, Lowery's Road, Coleman Island, Coleman Island Road, Shellfish Beach, Shellfish Beach Road, River Place and Grand View Beach at the low end and other low-lying areas prone to flooding due to potential accumulations of rainfall and storm surge. Voluntary evacuation of manufactured houses and houses with potential for damage from trees and potential access/egress issues is also strongly recommended. According to the National Weather Service in Wakefield, conditions similar to Hurricane Isabel are anticipated.
An emergency shelter will be opening on Saturday, August 27 at 10 am.  The shelter will be located at Essex Intermediate School on Marsh Street in Tappahannock. Non-ambulatory persons with special medical needs who require shelter should contact the Essex County Emergency Operations Center at 443-4395 or 443-4519 for further information. Also use these numbers for further hurricane information. Residents are encouraged to reserve use of 911 and Sheriff's Department numbers for serious emergencies.

Irene #2 - PREPARE

Irene will begin to produce tropical storm conditions around noon on Saturday, with the possibility of winds 65-75 mph by 2:00PM. The county's EOC (Emergency Operation Center) will open at the sheriff's office at 8:00am Saturday. If needed, a shelter will operate at Essex Intermediate School on Marsh St. in Tappahannock. Water will be available at the Tappahannock Rescue Squad and the Tappahannock-Essex Vol. Fire Department. You must bring your own containers.
Please call 911 or the sheriff's office for emergencies only. For information please call 443-4395 or 443-4519.
The word is prepare. Purchase your supplies now. Prepare for a power outage, high winds and flooding. During the storm stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary. Do all you need to do before the storm.

Irene #1 - EVACUATION OF LOW LYING AREAS

Residents living in the following areas of Essex County should be
preparing to evacuate by Friday, August 26th at 5pm at the
latest...Lowery's Point, Lowery's Road, Coleman Island, Coleman
Island Road, Shellfish Beach, Shellfish Beach Road, River Place and
Grand View Beach at the low end and other low-lying areas prone to
flooding due to potential accumulations of rainfall and storm surge.
Voluntary evacuation of manufactured houses and houses with potential
for damage from trees and potential access/egress issues is also
strongly recommended. Staying in these areas will endanger you and
anyone that might have to help you if you get in danger.
Essex County residents are encouraged to start preparing now by
getting supplies together, medications, cash, food and gas. Prepare
for the very real possibility of a power outage. Make arrangements
now for the care of the elderly and children. Make a decision now
where you will go in case you need to evacuate from your home.