Governor Warner Updates Virginia's Response to Hurricane Katrina in Gulf State Region

Governor Warner Updates Virginia's Response to Hurricane Katrina in Gulf State Region

Governor Mark R. Warner today updated Virginia's efforts to provide assistance and support to residents of Gulf Coast states impacted by Hurricane Katrina.

"It is heartening to see Virginia citizens, localities, faith-based groups and others offering resources and assistance to those who have lost everything in this natural disaster," said Governor Warner. "We are working with our federal and state partners to match these offers of assistance with specific requests for help from the Gulf Coast states."

"As evacuees from the Gulf Coast begin to arrive in the Commonwealth to stay with family, friends, and in some cases complete strangers, it is important that evacuees be referred promptly to the local chapter of the American Red Cross. The Red Cross is equipped to provide housing, food, clothing and other assistance, and to make sure evacuees remain eligible for Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance they may be entitled to," Governor Warner said. "After screening by the Red Cross, local social service agencies will be in a better position to process evacuees into appropriate state and local programs."

"It is important to remind Virginians that the best way to support their fellow Americans in this time of disaster is to donate money through the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army and other credible charities," Governor Warner said.

Here is an update on various activities underway in Virginia:

* Governor Warner has instructed representatives from the Virginia Departments of Emergency Management, General Services, Social Services, Housing and Community Development, Health, the Virginia Housing Development Authority, the Virginia Employment Commission, and other state, private and faith-based groups to assess the Commonwealth's capacity to receive, house, and coordinate services for evacuees from the Gulf Coast region.
* The Virginia National Guard is assembling a team of approximately 225 Guard personnel for deployment to the Gulf Coast region. Approximately 120 Guard personnel, mainly military police, previously deployed to Louisiana from the 229th Military Police Company in Virginia Beach, and six Guardsmen with the 203rd Red Horse unit, a laundry and bath unit, also have deployed to Louisiana.
* Virginia State Police officials have assembled a group of 108 troopers awaiting assignment to the region. A Virginia State Police helicopter and two pilots arrived at the Louisiana State Police aviation hangar in Baton Rouge last Thursday, and the BK117 helicopter equipped with a hoist has provided search and rescue support.
* The Virginia Department of Health is working with the Medical Society of Virginia, Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association, and Virginia Nurses Association to create a system for providing medical volunteers to the impacted areas. Currently, a team of 100 medical volunteers has been assembled by Sentara Healthcare in Hampton Roads, awaiting potential deployment to the Gulf Coast region.
* The Virginia Department of Health's Disaster Medical Assistance Strike Team has deployed to Anniston, Alabama, for staging and further movement. Virginia's Office of the Chief Medical Examiner personnel are on alert for potential federal Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Team support.
* Governor Warner's Chief of Staff, William H. Leighty, Jr., has been in Baton Rouge, Louisiana since Friday at the request of the office of Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco. Leighty is coordinating state-to-state assistance to Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Leighty played a key role in coordinating Virginia's response to Hurricane Isabel in 2003, and he is scheduled to remain in Louisiana for two weeks.
* At Governor Warner's request, the federal Environmental Protection Agency has granted a waiver permitting the sale of conventional, non-reformulated gasoline in the Central Virginia region. A request for an additional EPA waiver for the Hampton Roads region has been submitted.
* The Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy continues to track gasoline supplies and prices. There are spot fuel shortages around the Commonwealth, primarily by independent stations. However, there is no word of widespread fuel shortages. Plantation Pipeline Company has increased their average daily throughput to 100% on its refined product pipeline serving the southeastern United States, and Colonial Pipeline expected to be at 100% by the end of the holiday weekend.
* The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services continues to track consumer reports of alleged gasoline price-gouging. Since Friday, VDACS has investigated approximately 36 allegations of price-gouging, and two incidents have been referred to appropriate authorities to pursue possible criminal or civil sanctions.
* The Department of Emergency Management has surveyed Virginia localities to ensure that local public school divisions have adequate gasoline supplies for student transportation. At this time, supplies appear to be adequate.
* Last Wednesday, the Governor activated the Virginia Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to track relief efforts and offers of assistance from Virginia state agencies, other entities, and citizens. To activate the EOC, the Governor declared a limited state of emergency, and the EOC is staffed around the clock by representatives from a number of state agencies. VDEM is working with localities to fulfill requests for emergency management, firefighter and other search and rescue support.
* The Department of Emergency Management has opened a call center at 866-880-4288 for the public to get answers to their questions and concerns. The Virginia Public Inquiry Center will be staffed from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
* An additional 20 personnel from the Department of Forestry have left for Gulf Shores, Mississippi to operate a distribution center for food, water and medical supplies. A total of 45 DOF personnel now are assisting with the response: two crews of 20, plus five personnel assisting with specialty roles. DOF is in discussion with Mississippi to dispatch a 25-person chainsaw strike team to help with debris clearing and removal.
* Virginia state employees can provide financial support to those displaced or injured through the Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign (CVC), the authorized workplace giving campaign for the state workforce. The participating CVC charities designated to receive employee contributions are the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army.
* Governor Warner has issued an Executive Order granting temporary overweight, over-width, registration, or license exemptions to all carriers transporting essential commodities in and through any area of the Commonwealth until October 30 in order to support relief efforts, regardless of their point of origin or destination.
* The Governor's Executive Order also allows gas stations with antiquated pumps that won't display amounts above $2.99 to sell gas by the half gallon, provided the accurate per gallon price is still shown on their advertising. The state has been working with the industry to get word out about this change to retailers.
* Additionally, the Governor has requested that Virginia colleges and universities develop plans to accept students enrolled in hurricane-affected institutions. The Virginia Department of Education has asked local superintendents to prepare for displaced K-12 students who may be relocating to Virginia, in accordance with federal law.
* The Department of Housing and Community Development has asked Virginia's manufactured housing industry to increase its production to help provide affordable housing in the Gulf states as soon as possible.

Virginians looking for information on the response to Hurricane Katrina can go to VaEmergency.com, the Red Cross and the Salvation Army Web sites.

http://www.governor.virginia.gov/Press_Policy/Releases/2005/Sep05/0905.htm