Before, During And After: Flooding And Heavy Rainfall In Fairfax City

Press release from the City of Fairfax:

May 15 2o20

The National Weather Service has forecast rain, potentially including strong thunderstorms, will overspread the region late Monday (5/18) and may continue, heavy at times, through Tuesday (5/19) into Wednesday (5/20). Several inches of rain may fall across a broad area, which could result in flooding. Uncertainty remains regarding the location and amounts of heaviest rainfall.

Watch this video from Cityscreen-12 and NOAA:

Before an Emergency

• Prepare an emergency kit for sheltering in place or evacuation: make sure you have sufficient cash, medicine, pet food and other specific resources you know you'll need for at least five days. Include insurance information and identification.
• Enroll in Fairfax City Alerts for city-based news and information.
• Stay informed with reliable news and weather resources, such as the National Weather Service.
• Take care of pets during an emergency: make a plan for their protection, especially in case of evacuation. (Visit the Department of Homeland Security Pets and Animals page for ideas and information.)
• Coordinate with household members for communication and where to meet if separated during an emergency.
• If you rely on public transportation, contact your local emergency management agency about evacuation info before a hurricane. (Click here for CUE Bus information or call 703-385-7859)
• Charge electronics, and keep them fully charged in anticipation of power loss.
• Fill fuel tanks in vehicles and generators.
• Fill pitchers and other safe, sealable containers with clean tap water (in addition to any bottled water you may purchase).
• Prepare your home outdoors:
  • Secure loose items outdoors (furniture, refuse containers, decorations, etc.)
  • Clean gutters and downspouts, or check with the homeowner association or apartment management that is responsible for that service.
  • Gather supplies you may need for sandbags, fill generator fuel tanks, and other household emergency items.
• More information at Virginia Department of Emergency Management Flood information.

During an Emergency

• Stay indoors.
• Stay informed with reliable news and weather resources.
• If you experience a power outage, visit the Dominion Energy Outage Center or call (866) DOM-HELP (866-366-4357)
• Do not walk or drive in flooded areas — fast-moving water is dangerous, even if you think it's only "a few inches." Turn Around, Don't Drown.
• Call 9-1-1 in case of emergency.

After an emergency

• Check on your neighbors, particularly those who need extra help (those with disabilities or who are elderly or ill, for example).
• Help your neighbors as you can — but stay safe.
• Stay away from downed power lines.
• If you've lost power, keep refrigerator doors closed to keep food safe for a longer period of time.
• If using a generator, keep neighbors in mind and turn it off during late night and early morning hours.
• Call 9-1-1 in case of emergency.

This press release was produced by the City of Fairfax. The views expressed here are the author’s own.