Hurricanes can damage power lines and create fire hazards. Virginia Beach residents are urged to follow these precautions:

Candles
Avoid using lighted candles. If you do use them, ensure they are in sturdy metal, glass, or ceramic holders and placed where they cannot be easily knocked down. Keep candles out of the reach of children and pets. And NEVER leave burning candles unattended!
Barbecue Grills – Do not use any grill (charcoal or gas) indoors at any time. Burning charcoal gives off large amounts of toxic carbon monoxide. The propane in gas grills can create a severe explosion hazard when used in an enclosed space.

Electricity
If your home has suffered water damage, do not turn on the electricity until the circuits have been checked by a qualified electrician. Even though the water level has subsided, moisture may still be trapped within electrical boxes, receptacles, motors and switches.

Portable Generators
To avoid the danger of electrical shock, portable generators should never be connected to building wiring systems. If you must use a portable generator, connect appliances directly to the generator. Always keep your portable generator outside of your home and never in your garage because of the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Even with the garage door open, fumes can accumulate.

Electrical Power Lines
Avoid loose or dangling electrical wires. All wires should be considered live. Even wires that normally would not hurt you, like telephone or cable wires, could have come in contact with energized wires or equipment. Report dangling or loose wires to the Fire Department by calling 911. Do not touch or attempt to move them. Keep everyone out of the area. If you are in your car and electrical power lines fall on it, call out for help. Stay calm and remain in your car. Await emergency personnel. DO NOT GET OUT OF YOUR CAR unless your life is in immediate danger, i.e., car on fire, about to fall off bridge, etc. If you must get out, DO NOT STEP – JUMP CLEAR. If you step, your body could complete the path of electricity to the ground, and you could be electrocuted.

Portable generators can be deadly if not used properly. The city urges residents to run their portable generators outside the home. Generators should never be started or run inside a garage, carport or anywhere in the home. Even with the garage door open, carbon monoxide fumes can accumulate. Carbon monoxide is an extremely dangerous gas that causes asphyxiation. It is colorless and odorless, and can only be detected with a carbon monoxide detector.

The primary hazards to avoid when using generators include carbon monoxide poisoning, electric shock or electrocution and fire. By following these few simple steps, you can prevent the loss of life and property.

To avoid carbon monoxide hazards:
• Always use generators outdoors, away from doors, windows and vents.
• NEVER use generators in homes, garages, basements, crawl spaces, or other enclosed or partially enclosed areas, even with ventilation.
• Follow manufacturer’s instructions.
• Install battery-operated or plug-in (with battery backup) carbon monoxide (CO) alarms in your home, following manufacturer’s instructions.
• Test CO alarms often and replace batteries when needed.

To avoid electrical hazards:
• Keep the generator dry. Operate on a dry surface under an open, canopy-like structure.
• Dry your hands before touching the generator.
• Plug appliances directly into generator or use a heavy-duty outdoor-rated extension cord.
• Make sure entire extension cord is free of cuts or tears and the plug has all 3 prongs, especially a grounding pin.
• NEVER plug the generator into a wall outlet. This practice, known as back feeding, can cause an electrocution risk to utility workers and others served by the same utility transformer.
• If necessary to connect generator to house wiring to power appliances, have a qualified electrician install appropriate equipment. Or, your utility company may be able to install an appropriate transfer switch.

To avoid fire hazard:
• Before refueling the generator, turn it off and let it cool. Fuel spilled on hot engine parts could ignite.
• Always store fuel outside of living areas in properly labeled, non-glass containers.
• Store fuel away from any fuel burning appliance.

For more information contact the Virginia Beach Fire Department at www.VBgov.com or at 385-4228. You may also contact the U. S. Fire Administration at www.usfa.fema.gov.

If electrical power is interrupted, use extreme care when consuming your refrigerated and frozen perishable foods. When foods, such as meats and dairy products, are held at temps greater than 41 degrees F. for more than a few hours, microorganisms may multiply, placing you and your family at risk for a food-borne illness. Discard any potentially hazardous food that has exceeded 41 degrees F. for greater than two hours. Once frozen food has thawed, remaining at less than 41 degrees F., it must be cooked and eaten immediately. Discard leftovers if you cannot maintain the food at a safe temperature. Keep a food thermometer on hand to monitor these important temperatures.

• Never use a gas or charcoal grill to cook indoors! This may release poisonous gases such as carbon monoxide, causing illness or death.
• You can use your fireplace, candle warmers, chafing dishes and fondue pots to heat food. Canned foods can be eaten right from the can.

Tolls on the northbound side of the Chesapeake Expressway are lifted to allow for evacuations.
The parking garages at the Oceanfront will be open to anyone who wants to keep their vehicles on higher ground starting at noon Saturday. Vehicles may remain in the garages through Monday at no charge.
Currituck County schools are closed.
Dare County Schools are closed today and tomorrow. Makeup days are Saturday, September 10 and Wednesday, November 23. Both days will be half-days.
Old Dominion University is delaying the start of classes to Tuesday. The campus is closed tomorrow (Friday).
Hampton University is providing a shelter on campus for students over the weekend.
The TGIF series Town Point Park is canceled.
The Norfolk Latino Music festival Saturday is postponed.
Big Bands on the Bay Sunday is postponed.
Beach FamFest tomorrow is canceled.
All nightly entertainment this weekend at 13th, 17th, 24th, 25th, 27th and Beach Street is canceled.
Big Bands on the Bay at Ocean View Beach Park resumes Sept. 4.
The East Beach Concert in the Park in Norfolk is canceled.
The Saturday Summer Street Fest in downtown Hampton is canceled. The final block party of the season is Sept. 3.

1. Keep informed. Know the latest information on storm activity, safety information as well as evacuation and shelter information from 101.3 2WD and the National Weather Service.

2. Develop a plan for responding to an evacuation order if issued by local government.Decide where to go, how to get there, what to take, and who to notify about your decision

3. Prepare a Family Communication Plan.  Designate a friend or relative far from the area to be affected by the storm as your family contact in the event you are separated from family members during a hurricane.  Know where your family members are going to be and know how to get in touch with them as a storm approaches.

4. Help prepare seniors, disabled and those with special needs. Familiy, friends, and neighbors with special needs may be unable to get fully prepared for a storm and a potential evacuation. Help them through the steps shown here, paying special attention to medications and medical equipment.

5. Assume you will be without electricity + water and assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit 

        Flashlight with plenty of extra batteries  DO NOT USE CANDLES

        Battery-powered radio with extra batteries

        First aid kit

        Prescription medications in their original bottle, plus copies of the prescriptions

        Eyeglasses (with copy of the prescription)

        Water (at least one gallon per person per day is recommended; more is better)

        Foods that do not require refrigeration or cooking

        Items that infants and elderly household members may require

        Medical equipment and devices such as dentures, crutches, prostheses, etc

        Change of clothes for each household member

        Sleeping bag or bedroll and pillow for each household member

        Checkbook, cash, and credit cards  (Assume ATM and Credit Cards may not be usable)

        Map of the area

6. Gather important documents or copies

        Driver’s license or personal identification

        Social Security card

        Proof of residence (deed or lease)

        Insurance policies

        Birth and marriage certificates

        Stock, bonds, and other negotiable certificates

        Will, deed, and copies of recent tax returns

        Backup onto discs your most important computer documents

        Take photographs of your possessions around the home for insurance purposes

7. Take steps to prevent damage to your home

        Remove diseased or damaged tree limbs and shrubs

        Move or secure lawn furniture, outdoor decorations or ornaments, trash cans, hanging plants and anything else that can be picked up by wind and become a projectile

        Install precut 1/2″ outdoor plywood for each window of your home

        Reinforce double entry doors by adding bolts to the top and bottom of the inactive door

        Install protection to the outside areas of sliding glass doors

        Strengthen garage doors

        Remove outside antennas etc.

8. If you must evacuate to a shelter, bring the following with you:

        Disaster supply kit items as noted above

        Pillows and bedding items

        Toys and activities for the kids 

        Please note: Pets are not permitted in Red Cross Shelters