RICHMOND, Va. – Gov. Ralph Northam has declared a state of emergency in advance of Hurricane Dorian, which is expected to impact southeastern Virginia Thursday.
The impact from Dorian could include coastal and inland flooding, storm surge, damaging winds and prolonged power outages, the governor’s office said in a news release Monday afternoon.
“Hurricane Dorian is a serious storm, and current predictions indicate that it may affect parts of Virginia. I am declaring a state of emergency to ensure that localities and communities have the appropriate level of assistance, and to coordinate the Commonwealth’s response to any potential impacts from Hurricane Dorian. I encourage Virginians to take all necessary precautions to make sure they are prepared as well,” Northam said.
A state of emergency allows the Commonwealth to mobilize resources and to deploy people and equipment to assist in response and recovery efforts, the governor’s office added. The declaration also allows officials from Virginia to coordinate planning and evacuation resources with the state of North Carolina.
This action does not apply to individuals or private businesses.