RICHMOND—Governor Ralph Northam announced today that Virginia is opening two state-managed shelters this morning to assist residents evacuating in anticipation of Hurricane Florence. The state shelters at Christopher Newport University in Newport News and at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg will provide additional capacity to assist residents leaving areas of Virginia under mandatory evacuation orders, and those coming into Virginia from other states who have nowhere else to shelter.
Currently, 24 localities are opening local shelters for their residents. The two state shelters augment the Commonwealth’s ability to assist citizens in need.
“Virginians are heeding our advice to seek higher ground and safe shelter in advance of Hurricane Florence,” said Governor Northam. “We encourage citizens to seek shelter first with friends and family, to consider hotels outside of evacuation areas, and then look to local shelters, and lastly to state shelters. Leave early. Plan to be off the roads before the storm arrives to avoid unsafe driving situations and traffic congestion, and stay put until the storm passes.”
If an event’s actual or projected demand for sheltering exceeds the local jurisdiction’s capabilities, mutual aid agreements are activated between other communities. When necessary, the Commonwealth provides assistance to local and regional sheltering operations and can operate state-coordinated regional shelters.
Important Shelter Information
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