Official press release.

For Immediate Release

City of Norfolk Declares State of Emergency and Mandatory Evacuation

NORFOLK- City Manager Marcus D. Jones signed a declaration of emergency for the City of Norfolk this afternoon.

The City of Norfolk has upgraded its previous order and is issuing a mandatory evacuation of all residents in low-lying areas.  The city urges residents to implement their hurricane plan and stay away from these areas until the storm passes.  All residents in these low-lying areas need to be evacuated by 8am Saturday, August 27.

Low-lying areas are defined as residents living in the Category 1 storm surge.  The city strongly urges residents living in Category 2 to leave as well.   A link to the storm surge maps can be found at www.norfolk.gov. Click on the Hurricane Preparedness box on the left-hand side.

We expect heavy rains, storm surge and hurricane force winds.  Roads will flood.  Police, firefighters and paramedics will not be able to safely retrieve residents from these areas once the hurricane hits.

People who evacuate should stay out of the city.  Evacuees should monitor weather reports, leave as soon as possible to avoid heavy traffic and stay well beyond the projected path of the hurricane.

City shelters will open Friday August 26, 2011 at 6pm.  The shelters identified at this time include:

Granby High School

7101 Granby Street

Norview High School

6501 Chesapeake Blvd.

Lake Taylor Middle School

1380 Kempsville Road

Maury High School

322 Shirley Avenue

Campostella Elementary School

1106 Campostella Road

***NOTE: East Oceanview Senior Center is no longer a viable shelter. ***

Plans are underway to open additional shelters if needed.  Pets are not permitted in the public shelters.

Updates and information can be found at www.norfolk.gov, Facebook and Twitter.

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Note: For Interactive Hurricane Storm Surge Maps, click here.

ODU Weather Update on Hurricane Irene

As Hurricane Irene approaches the Hampton Roads area, here is an update on the status of Old Dominion University and some hurricane preparedness information for all students, faculty and staff who will remain in the region during the storm.

It appears that Hampton Roads will begin feeling wind and rain effects on Saturday morning and it will last into Sunday.  While the track is still uncertain, it is important to prepare for local and regional disruptions that may come as a result of the hurricane.

As of 7 p.m. tonight, all Old Dominion University residence halls are closed.  The university will be open Friday, Aug. 26, until 5 p.m.; however, supervisors may grant liberal leave to employees who need to make personal preparations in advance of the storm.  Essential personnel are required to report to work, as directed by their supervisor.

Before leaving Friday, faculty and staff should secure their office windows and doors and follow the instructions provided via email by Asst. VP Rusty Waterfield regarding technology.

Parking garages C and E are available for use by students, faculty, staff and local residents wishing to move their vehicles to higher ground (see parking map here). You can begin placing your vehicle in these garages at 6 p.m. Friday.  The garages will be locked down during the storm and not reopened until officials have been able to verify the facility is safe after the storm.  University vehicles, including golf carts, trailers, small boats, etc.), may be stored in garage B.

Once the storm passes, officials will make a determination about whether the university will reopen Monday.  The ability to open the residence halls and the university as a whole will depend entirely on the condition of the campus, area roads, bridges and tunnels, and other infrastructures.

Once the storm passes and university officials have been able to survey the entire campus, an announcement will be made about the university’s status via the ODU web site, email, ODU Alerts system, local television stations WTKR-3, WAVY-10 and WVEC-13, and radio station WHRV-FM 89.5.  No one should attempt to return to the campus until you receive an update that specifically states that you may do so.

Even if the university reopens Monday, all academic classes at all locations are cancelled Monday.  If the campus can open Monday, the day will be used to resume and complete the check-in and move-in process for the university’s residence halls.

TAKE PRECAUTIONS

For those staying in the region during the storm, please take precautionary measures to help ensure your safety.

• Travel early.  Amtrak has already cancelled train service in the South for Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  Additionally, once winds reach 45 miles per hour, VDOT will close the Chesapeake Bay, Hampton Roads and Monitor-Merrimac Bridge Tunnels, and the James River Bridge.  The Midtown and Downtown Tunnels may also close earlier.

• Make an emergency supply kit with at least 3 days of non-perishable food that can be eaten without cooking, water and other items you need on a daily basis.

• If you have friends, roommates or a neighbor who lives alone or far from the campus, please consider inviting them to spend a few days with you.

• Put safety first! If you become concerned about your safety, go to one of the city’s emergency shelters.  The closest shelter to the ODU campus is Maury High School in Ghent.  You can find the full list here.

• Communicate your sheltering plans with your friends and family.  Cell phones and landline phones may not work during and after the storm, so it is important to let loved ones know in advance where you will be and that you are safe.

• Prepare for loss of power. Electrical power may be out for several hours to several days.  Have flashlights and a battery-powered radio available.

• Fill your car with gas.

• Have cash on hand;  Banks and ATMs may not be open or available for extended periods.

• Stay informed about the region through local media and localities’ emergency alert systems.  You can sign up for NorfolkAlerts here.

You can find a full list of preparations, as well as what to do after the storm, from the Red Cross here.

Old Dominion University cares deeply about the safety of its community.  While it is still unknown the extent of impact that Hurricane Irene will have in our area, it is important that you make arrangements and decisions in advance.

Be safe!

Norfolk Areas Prone to Flooding

These are neighborhoods that are in low-lying or flood prone areas:
Willoughby Spit, East Ocean View, Edgewater, Larchmont, Mowbray Arch area of Ghent, Freemason, Downtown Waterfront, Colonial Place: West of Gosnold Ave & north of Massachusetts Ave, Willow Terrace Condos in Colonial Place, Riverpoint, and Belvedere

Neighborhoods partially prone to flooding include:
Berkley, Lockhaven, Ghent, Bayview, Crown Point, Northside, Camellia Gardens, North Camellia Acres, Riverview, Holley Ave, Roosevelt Gardens, Larrymore Acres, Roosevelt Shores, Heutte Farms, Forest Park, Brookfield Park, Merrimac Park, Granby Shores, Commodore Park, Pamlico, Willoughby Terrace, River Forest Shores, Elizabeth Park, Grandy Park, Poplar Halls, River Oaks, Tipperton Place, Ingleside and Ventosa

Heed.