Calm before the storm, as Tropical Storm Isaias approaches the east coast…
Sunday Morning
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Category Archives: disaster preparedness
Disaster Preparedness Workshop Scheduled For September 7th
From announcement:
The Disaster Preparedness Workshop (formally known as Survivor Day) is set for Saturday, September 7, 2019! The Office of Emergency Management will host the annual Regional Workshop where residents can learn how to live safely through natural disasters and other emergencies, like hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, earthquakes, blizzard, active threat and more. Residents will learn how to survive in their homes without power for at least 72 hours, and they’ll find out what to take with them should they need to leave in a hurry. Upon completing the training each household will receive a FREE disaster preparedness backpack to include supplies. Emergency and Community Response professionals will teach residents the best ways to prepare for those life threatening situations.
Find out more and sign up here: https://planrva.org/emergency-management-home/em-workshops/
VCU Siren Testing On Wednesday
From VCU Police:
VCU SIREN TESTING / WEDNESDAY DEC 5: Virginia Commonwealth University will be activating its upgraded siren system on Wed., Dec. 5 at noon as part of its monthly siren testing in 2018. This includes sirens installed on the Monroe Park and MCV Campuses and a new siren at VCU Police headquarters, located at 224 East Broad Street.
The addition of a siren at VCUPD headquarters means VCU students, faculty and staff in facilities downtown, along with residents and businesses, will hear the signal more clearly than when the sirens were only located on VCU’s campuses. In a real emergency, the sirens are activated in conjunction with VCU’s other alerting technologies, including text messages. In a real emergency, updates are posted on alert.vcu.edu.VCU students, faculty and staff can manage their VCU Alert texting and email preferences in the myVCU portal, under the “Manage Emergency Alerts” tab. Community members can sign up for VCU Alerts to receive text messages and/or emails at: https://alert.vcu.edu/signup/index.php.
Overnight Solar Leak Prompts Neighborhood Evacuation
A solar leak in Richmond’s Oregon Hill prompted the voluntary evacuation of nearly 100 homes near the intersection of Laurel Street and Spring Street. The leak was reported around 11 p.m. Saturday. Most neighbors were allowed to return to their homes around 2 a.m. Sunday.
Richmond Fire Department and Police Department responded to the area just after 11:00 p.m, along with Dominion Energy technicians. United Solar Neighbors’ representative Aaron Sutch was also on hand to comfort neighbors.
Laurel Street neighbor Tommy Birchett reported a strong odor in the area and saw solar streaks in the sky above his street, though a Holly Street neighbor who had recently installed solar in her residence says she did not see anything. A Dominion spokesperson said solar is still an experimental fuel, which is why it is must be kept under the utility’s control.
Crews closed Laurel Street between Albemarle and Holly in order to repair the leak.
This alarming event is somewhat similar to a gas line leak evacuation that took place this past Thursday in a West End neighborhood in Henrico. The main difference being that Henrico gas event was real.
Pipe Freezing Weather
Take precautions.
City Shelter Available
From City press release:
City’s Cold Weather Overflow Shelter Open December 24 – 26
Richmond, VA – EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY, DECEMBER 1, 2017 UNTIL APRIL 15, 2018 THE COLD WEATHER OVERFLOW SHELTER HOURS OF OPERATION WILL BE 7 P.M. UNTIL 10 A.M.
The Cold Weather Overflow Shelter will be open Sunday, December 24 – Tuesday, December 26, 2017 as temperatures are forecast to remain at or below 40 degrees.
Residents in need of overnight shelter are asked to report to Commonwealth Catholic Charities (511 W. Grace Street) during operational hours for a comprehensive intake and referral to the appropriate shelter. Shelter registration is from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. For individuals who are not eligible for existing shelter space or if all available beds have been filled, Commonwealth Catholic Charities will provide a referral to the Cold Weather Overflow Shelter.
The Cold Weather Overflow Shelter is located in the City’s Public Safety Building at 505 North 9th Street. The shelter opens each evening at 7 p.m. and closes the following morning at 10 a.m. Individuals seeking access to the Overflow Shelter must have a referral. Food will not be provided and pets are not allowed.
City residents are also advised the Department of Social Services provides emergency assistance with gas and electric disconnection notices for residents who qualify. Residents may also call the Fuel Line at (804) 646-7046.
The elderly or residents with disabilities should contact Senior Connections for assistance at (804) 343-3000, Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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City’s Cold Weather Overflow Shelter Open November 22 – 27
From City press release:
Richmond, VA – The Cold Weather Overflow Shelter will be open Wednesday, November 22 – Monday, November 27, 2017 as temperatures are forecast to remain at or below 40 degrees.
Residents in need of overnight shelter are asked to report to Commonwealth Catholic Charities (511 W. Grace Street) during operational hours for a comprehensive intake and referral to the appropriate shelter. Shelter registration is from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. For individuals who are not eligible for existing shelter space or if all available beds have been filled, Commonwealth Catholic Charities will provide a referral to the Cold Weather Overflow Shelter.
The Cold Weather Overflow Shelter is located in the City’s Public Safety Building at 505 North 9th Street. The shelter opens each evening at 7 p.m. and closes the following morning at 6 a.m. Individuals seeking access to the Overflow Shelter must have a referral. Food will not be provided and pets are not allowed.
City residents are also advised the Department of Social Services provides emergency assistance with gas and electric disconnection notices for residents who qualify. Residents may also call the Fuel Line at (804) 646-7046.
The elderly or residents with disabilities should contact Senior Connections for assistance at (804) 343-3000, Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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Are You Ready? VCU Alarm Test Today At Noon
From Times Dispatch article:
Outdoor sirens will sound, digital signs will light up and alerts will be sent to phones and computers when Virginia Commonwealth University conducts a test of its emergency communications and alerting systems.
The full test will be conducted Wednesday at noon. In addition to sirens, it will include text messages, mass emails, desktop alerts, and notifications through social media and VCU’s website.
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In addition to the semester test, monthly checks of the siren system are conducted at noon on the first Wednesday of each month.
Utility Message On Gas Safety
From Richmond’s Department of Public Utilities (one of our great advertisers!):
The Natural Gas Safety Awareness Program of the city of Richmond’s Department of Public Utilities is here to educate our customers and non-customers – all those who live, work, shop, worship or play near natural gas pipelines – about natural gas safety.
Please watch this brief 17 minute video that will offer a brief history of the natural gas distribution system, and a detailed overview of the public awareness component of our overall safety program.
Stormy Night Problems
Neighbors reported various problems last night in the midst of stormy weather-
At 11pm Monday nite, at two Intersections, Traffic Lights completely dark. Corner of Belvedere & Idlewood Ave. and corner of S. Laurel St. & Idlewood Ave. Reported to SeeClickFix.
2:15am Power outage here 500 block S. Pine St.
Report all outages (888) 667-3000Chimney fire on 600 block of S. Pine. Thank you RFD for a quick response.
Power out on part of 400 block Laurel.
Also, sometime between 8-10pm, there was an apparent hit and run on 1000 block of Idlewood. Looks like someone coming off expressway too fast hit two parked cars, knocking them into each other and up onto the sidewalk.
