NORFOLK — Mayor Kenneth C. Alexander has declared a local state of emergency.
The declaration allows the city to ask for state and federal resources and seek state and federal reimbursement if the cost of the storm reaches a certain threshold.
City crews have been preparing for the storm and have been cleaning storm drains and ditches to ease potential flooding.
In addition, extra crews are on standby throughout the weekend to respond to downed trees due to the wind and saturated ground.
All city facilities will close at 5 p.m. Tuesday to prepare for the impact from Hurricane Florence. The Office of the City Treasurer will close at 3 p.m. Tuesday, according to a news release from the city.
Trash and recycling collection will continue as scheduled this week until further notice. Waste Management is not accepting any scheduled household bulk-waste pickups until after the weekend. This will allow crews to prioritize storm debris cleanup.
The city will open shelter on 1 p.m. Wednesday for residents who need a safe place to ride out the storm.
Food and security are provided. Residents must bring personal items, medications, bedding, blankets. Those who need transportation to the shelter should call 757-664-6510.
Residents who bring pets to the pet-friendly shelters must bring food and water and are responsible for pet care while at the shelter with their animal.
Shelters:
- Bayview Community Center (pet-friendly) – 8613 Willow Terrace
- Berkley Community Center (pet-friendly) – 121 Liberty Street
- Crossroads Elementary School – 8021 Old Ocean View Road
- Norview High School – 6501 Chesapeake Boulevard
- Southside STEM Academy – 1106 Campostella Road
The city and Old Dominion University will open garages so that residents can move their vehicles to higher ground.
The following garages will be open beginning at noon Tuesday:
- ODU Garage A – 4310 Elkhorn Avenue
- ODU Garage B – 1330 W 43rd Street
- ODU Garage C – 1067 W 43rd Street (beside Ted)
- ODU Garage D – 1060 W 45th Street (beside Ted)
- ODU Garage E – 5000 Bluestone Avenue (beside football stadium)
These garages will open at 7 p.m. Tuesday:
- York Street (215 W. York St.)
- Bank Street (441 Bank St.)
- Town Point (110 W Main St.)
- Main Street (230 E Main St.)
- Waterside (50 Martins Lane)
- West Plume (135 W Plume St.)
- City Hall South (999 E Main St.)
- Fountain Park (130 Bank St.)
- Charlotte Street (440 Monticello Ave.)
In anticipation of inclement weather, Pace bikes will be temporarily out of service and removed from bike racks by noon Wednesday.
For Norfolk storm-related updates and information, go to www.norfolk.gov or sign up for Norfolk Alerts at www.norfolk.gov/alert. You can also follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NorfolkVA or Twitter at @NorfolkVA
Important contact information:
For storm-related inquiries or to report downed trees or other storm-related damage, including downed power lines or flooded and impassable streets, call the Norfolk Cares Center at 757-664-6510.
Report power outages to Dominion Virginia Power at 1-866-DOM-HELP (1-866-366-4357).
For life-threatening emergencies, call 9-1-1.
For storm-related updates, go to www.norfolk.gov or follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NorfolkVA or Twitter @NorfolkVA
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