Here’s more info on shelters and other hurricane preparations in Virginia Beach

VIRGINIA BEACH — City departments are making storm preparations as Hurricane Florence approaches the East Coast, including checking storm drains and pump stations, inspecting and securing equipment, and servicing generators and chain saws.

Officials said the city has received reports the recent heavy bursts of rain have caused isolated street flooding and that yard debris bags and even timber are blocking storm drain inlets in some places.

The city has more than 40,000 storm drains, officials are urging residents to Adopt A Drain in their neighborhood “to make sure all visible impediments are removed.”

If the water doesn’t drain after the rain subsides, report street flooding and drains that require maintenance by calling 757-385‐1470 or 311 or make a service request online here or through the VB Works app, available for iPhone and Android.

Hurricane Florence’s top winds dipped to 130 mph (215 kph) Tuesday morning, but it remains a Category 4 storm and is expected to approach the most-damaging Category 5 status as it slows strengthens over very warm ocean water off the coast of North and South Carolina, according to the National Hurricane Center.

By 5 a.m. Tuesday, Florence was centered about 975 miles (1,570 kilometers) east-southeast of Cape Fear, North Carolina, and moving west-northwest at 15 mph (24 kph). Its center will move between Bermuda and the Bahamas on Tuesday and Wednesday and approach the coast of South Carolina or North Carolina on Thursday.

Gov. Ralph Northam on Monday ordered ordered a mandatory evacuation for Hampton Roads and the Eastern Shore for those living in Zone A.

In light of the governor’s order, Virginia Beach City Public Schools announced late Monday that all schools in the district will be closed Tuesday.

In addition, all schools and administrative offices will be closed Wednesday until further notice, VBCPS officials said.

Norfolk Public Schools canceled classes Tuesday and Wednesday.

Also, Virginia Wesleyan University canceled classes and events from Wednesday-Saturday; Old Dominion canceled classes Tuesday-Sunday; Tidewater Community College cancelled classes Tuesday-until further notice, and Norfolk State University canceled classes beginning at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday-Monday.

The City of Virginia Beach will be opening shelters starting at 8 a.m. Thursday morning at the following locations:

• Kellam High School (2665 W. Neck Road)
• Corporate Landing Middle School (1597 Corporate Landing Parkway)
• Old Donation School (4633 Honeygrove Road)
• Fieldhouse (medically friendly shelter) – (2020 Landstown Centre Way)

The following shelters will be opened Friday morning:

• Landstown High School (2001 Concert Drive)
• Green Run High School (1700 Dahlia Drive)
• Tallwood High School (1668 Kempsville Road)

Those who plan on relocating to a shelter should bring enough supplies to last at least three days for each family member. Click here for rules, a list of what supplies to bring and items that are prohibited in shelters.

Additional Information for residents:

1. Do not block storm drains or inlets with yard debris bags or any other objects. Per City Code, only put yard debris bags out for collection on your scheduled pickup day and make sure bags are out of the water line.
2. Remove and secure objects outside your home and business that may become projectiles during high winds, like lawn furniture and potted plants.
3. Sign up for VBAlert at vbgov.com/VBAlert to get emergency alerts from the City of Virginia Beach via text message and/or email.
4. Visit Ready.gov for a good list of supplies to have on hand, including drinking water, a first-aid kit, non-perishable food, a radio, flashlight and batteries, phone charger and blankets.
5. Know Your Zone. Residents should make necessary preparations now should evacuation become necessary, starting with Knowing Your Zone—the state’s system for identifying areas in which homes and businesses are located. The state maintains the website, KnowYourZoneVA.org​, which allows people to type in their addresses to find their designated zones. The site has had heavy traffic so if it is not available when someone first tries it, try again.
6. Have a family emergency plan in place. Plan evacuation routes from home, work and school and how you will be in touch with members of your family.
7. Parking garages available. Starting Wednesday night, the municipal garages in Town Center and in the resort area (9^th, 25^th and 31^st streets) will be open for residents in low-lying areas to park vehicles during the storm free of charge.
8. Be informed. Learn more about steps you can take now to prepare for an emergency. Look for emergency preparedness information here and here.
9. Roads status. The city is working with WAZE (app is available for Android and iPhone) to document and report road conditions. Residents can report flooding or other hazardous road conditions directly on the app or by calling 311.
10. Cancellations and service changes. Beginning Tuesday, Sept. 11, the city will maintain on VBGov.com a list of event cancellations, closings, service changes and other announcements related to the storm.
11. Get the latest. Listen to NOAA Weather Radio and monitor local news for severe weather updates and directions provided by local officials. For the most up-to-date information from the city, tune to local television and radio stations and the outlets listed below:

• VBgov.com
• VBTV: Cox Cable 46, 47 & 48 and Verizon Cable 45, 46 & 47will display emergency information, including our city operational status and facility closures.
• Social media sites:
  • Facebook – facebook.com/CityofVaBeach
  • Twitter – twitter.com/CityofVaBeach
  • Instagram –instagram.com/cityofvabeach
• Resident services: 311 is available 24 hours a day for questions and reporting non-emergency conditions.  Please only call or text 911 in a life-threatening emergency.

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