Virginia — As the Atlantic hurricane season kicks off June 1, Governor Glenn Youngkin is calling on Virginians to brace for potential storms by taking proactive steps now. With the season’s start, residents and businesses across the state are urged to prepare emergency plans, kits, and reliable information sources to safeguard lives and property. Youngkin stressed the importance of readiness to mitigate the destruction hurricanes can bring, citing the need for swift recovery. The Virginia Emergency Support Team, including government agencies, first responders, and private partners, is actively training to coordinate resources and respond effectively.
Acting State Coordinator John Scrivani of the Virginia Department of Emergency Management noted that storms can devastate not just coastal areas but also inland regions, as seen with last year’s Hurricane Helene. Key preparation steps include reviewing insurance coverage, especially for floods, as policies may have a 30-day waiting period. Residents should verify their evacuation zones at KnowYourZoneVA.org and create a family communication plan using FEMA guidelines. Emergency kits with food, water, medications, and radios are critical, as are staying informed through local alerts and battery-operated radios during outages. Resources for planning are available at vaemergency.gov/prepare and ready.gov/hurricanes, ensuring Virginians are equipped to face whatever the season brings.
