Tips for King George County Residents to prepare for a hurricane

“According to the latest forecasts, King George County could experience hazardous weather from Hurricane Earl Friday into Saturday.” Said Lt. Steven Lynd, Deputy Emergency Management Coordinator, King George County Department of Fire and Rescue and Emergency Services “We encourage everyone to monitor the local media and make preparations in case the storm track changes”.

Things that King George County Department of Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services  is doing to prepare for the storm

1. Monitoring weather reports and long range forecasts
2. Provide briefing to county department heads, constitutional officers, and elected officials
3. Participating in any Virginia Department of Emergency Management conference calls
4. Implement hazardous weather plan if necessary. 
5. Ensure all emergency equipment and personnel are ready for the storm

1. Get a kit
2. Make plan
3. Stay informed

   Shelter Information King George County is prepared if weather conditions require opening evacuation shelters. The County has a shelter operations plan that will be activated if conditions warrant. The primary shelter locations are the King George High School and Citizens Center. Citizens are asked to bring photo ID, special care items, medications, some food, pillows, board games, etc.  Additional shelters would be opened on an as needed basis. King George also has an animal / pet shelter operations plan. Pets are not allowed in the human shelters (except for service animals). The County has designated the animal pound and the King George Middle School as pet shelters and would open on an as needed basis. Citizens will be notified by KGALERT and local media on locations and other instructions about shelter openings.

Citizens should prepare themselves, families, and homes to be without electrical power for at least 72 hours

1. one gallon of drinking water/per person/per day
2. Canned food/ manual can opener/alternate cooking source
3. Medications, baby care items, pet supplies
4. Batteries for flashlights and radios
5. Secure all patio/outdoor furniture that may be blown away by strong winds

• Generator safety- follow safe practices connecting electrical extension cords and don’t run the generator inside garage or close to your house.
• Invest in a fire extinguisher, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
• Subscribe to KGALERT for local emergency information/instructions.
• Follow King George County Department of Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services on twitter at kgva_firerescue
• Monitor local media (radio/TV) for weather and emergency information