Severe Weather Reminders

Severe weather hit many parts of Virginia last night and this morning. The Virginia Department of Emergency Management posted the following reminders concerning tornado watches and warnings.

RICHMOND, VA -- Severe thunderstorms and possible tornadoes struck many parts of Virginia last night and this morning, and the weather is expected to continue through much of the day. Residents should take precautions now.

“Everyone needs to stay tuned to local weather reports for thunderstorm and tornado warnings and take these seriously,” said Michael Cline, state coordinator for the Virginia Department of Emergency Management. “Those who live in mobile homes should be ready to leave their homes if a tornado warning is issued for their area and know where they would go.”

When a tornado warning is issued, follow these steps:

• Go immediately to the lowest level of your building to an interior room or hallway. Storm cellars or basements provide the best protection.



• Stay away from windows and doorways.



• Do not stay in a trailer or mobile home.



• Go immediately to a building with a strong foundation.



• If shelter is not available, lie flat in a ditch or other low-lying area. Do not get under a bridge or overpass.



• Plan to stay in your shelter location until the danger has passed.
  

Good sources for information about possible severe weather include local television and radio broadcasts as well as NOAA Weather Radio, which broadcasts thunderstorm and tornado warnings directly from the National Weather Service. NOAA Weather Radios can be purchased in discount stores, boating and marine stores, and sporting goods stores and online. Public schools in Virginia all have NOAA Weather Radios.

After a tornado, remain out of damaged buildings and stay clear of downed power lines. Help injured or trapped people. Check on those who may require special assistance, such as the elderly, children and people with disabilities.

For information on preparing for tornadoes, go to http://m1e.net/c?72192988-tPsvK94XiZUSs%406401734-pL2/RZvWjLe6U.

FEMA Says Spring Ahead to Prepare for Disasters

The NOVA Office of Emergency Management and Planning would like to share a message from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Daylight Savings Time in the United States starts on the second Sunday in March of each year and the Federal Emergency Management Agency encourages all Americans to use the change to daylight savings time to update emergency preparedness plans. For years, firefighters and safety professionals have asked the public to change smoke alarm batteries throughout their homes, as they move their clocks ahead. According to FEMA Regional Administrator Ken Murphy, the March ritual of making homes safer from fire is also a great opportunity to review disaster preparedness plans and restock disaster kits.

"You know, FEMA is not the nation’s emergency management team. True, we are an important part, but still—just a part of the team – a team that includes the entire federal family, state, local and tribal governments, faith-based and non-profit organizations, and especially the public," said Murphy. "Let’s all take full advantage of this year’s switch to Daylight Savings Time and resolve to be better prepared in 2011: build or restock your disaster kit, make or update your disaster plan, and stay informed of the hazards in your area."

FEMA’s Resolve to be Ready in 2011 campaign promotes Whole Community involvement in disaster preparedness. "The key to successful disaster response, regardless of the nature of the event, is personal preparedness," continued Murphy. "And no matter how busy or hectic our daily routine, we all need to take the time to take positive action to prepare ourselves, our loved ones and our communities in the event of severe weather, earthquake—or any other major disaster."

Resolve to be Ready in 2011 is led by FEMA’s Ready Campaign in partnership with Citizen Corps and The Advertising Council. For more information on the Ready Campaign and Citizen Corps, visit FEMA , Ready.gov or Citizen Corps.

NOVA to Participate in Tornado Drill-March 15, 2011

All campuses and educational centers of Northern Virginia Community College will participate in the annual Statewide Torndao Drill.

Tornadoes in Virginia have struck in every month of the year and in every part of the state. It’s critical that college employeesm students and their families know what to do and where to go in case of a tornado warning.

This year, Tornado Preparedness Day in Virginia is Tuesday, March 15. At 9:45 a.m., the Statewide Tornado Drill will be held so that college can practice it's tornado emergency plans. Learn about your campus tornado plan and encourage your fellow employees to participate in the drill.

Also, please be sure that your family knows what to do and where to go at home during a tornado. Every family needs an emergency plan (for more, see Ready Virginia or on the college's emergency webpage NOVA Emergency
The statewide tornado drill is an annual effort of the Virginia Department of Emergency Management and the National Weather Service.

Are you prepared?

Being prepared at home is just as important as being prepared at NOVA. In a major disaster, it might be several days before vital services are restored. Tornados, fires, severe storms, power outages, and acts of terrorism are just some of the potential emergencies we may encounter. Imagine that you have no electricity, no gas, no water and no telephone service. Imagine that all the businesses are closed and you are without any kind of emergency services. Because in this area of the country we are exposed to a wide variety of hazards, both natural and man made, there are some excellent guides available on what you can do to prepare yourself and your family (including pets) for an emergency. Remember, in many cases you may not have much warning so you need to prepare now to be ready.

To assist in developing your own plans the NOVA Office of Emergency Management & Planning recommends the following web sites:
www.ready.gov/
www.vaemergency.com/prepare/index.cfm

For additional information about being prepared at NOVA please visit: www.nvcc.edu/emergency .

ALERT - - NOVA Opens Late on Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Due to inclement weather, the College will not open until 10AM.

ALERT - - NOVA Closes Early on Thursday, December 16, 2010

Northern Virginia Community College will close at 3:00 p.m. - Classes that begin at or after the specified time are cancelled. College offices will close at the specified time. Students with exams scheduled should look for messages on email or Blackboard.

2010 - 2011 Inclement Weather Information

In case of inclement weather, the College will announce its plans to close or to delay opening through the following news media:

AM RADIO STATIONS
WFLS 1350
WMAL 630
WPGC 1580
WTOP 820

FM RADIO STATIONS
WAMU 88.5
WASH 97.1
WFLS 93.3
WHUR 96.3
WITH 99.5
WKYS 93.9
WPGC 95.5
WRQX 107.3
WTOP 103.5

TELEVISION STATIONS
WRC Channel 4
WTTG Channel 5
WJLA Channel 7
WUSA Channel 9
NVCC-TV Channel 19, 25, 37, or 59 (Check local cable listing for your area.)

In addition, the College will place a message on the College web site and on the College TV station if there will be a change from normal operating hours.

Individuals can check for weather announcements by calling the College Call Center at 703-323-3000 or by calling NovaConnect at 703-323-3770 or in Prince William County 703-330-3770. You may also register on NOVA Alert at http://www.nvcc.edu/emergency to receive a text message. Another way to be notified is to receive alerts from your favorite social networking sites. Please see Connect with NOVA - Social Media http://www.nvcc.edu/about-nova/connect-nova/index.html for more information.

This is how to interpret closing announcements you hear on the media:

“Northern Virginia Community College is closed:” The College will be closed until classes begin on the following morning. When this simple announcement is made, it means that no day or evening classes will be held.

“Northern Virginia Community College will open X hours late:” For the purpose of delayed opening announcements, the College’s official opening time is 8 a.m. For example, a two-hour delay means that the College will open at 10 a.m. Classes that begin at 10 a.m. or after will be held as usual. College employees should arrive at the College by 10 a.m. Supervisors of employees who work special shifts should make clear how delayed openings affect attendance expectations. To avoid confusion, we try to provide the actual time of opening.

“Morning classes at Northern Virginia Community College are canceled:” The College will be closed until 12 noon. The College will open at noon and classes beginning at noon or after will be held as usual. College employees should arrive at the College by noon.

“Day classes at Northern Virginia Community College are canceled:” Day classes are those classes that begin before 4:30 p.m. The College will open and classes that begin at 4:30 p.m. or after will be held as usual. Employees whose normal work schedules extend beyond 6 p.m. should report to work by 4:30 p.m.

“Evening classes at Northern Virginia Community College are canceled:” Evening classes are those classes that begin at or after 4:30 p.m. The College will close at 4:30 p.m. and no further classes will be held until the next morning.

Please note that in all cases of delayed openings, classes that would have started prior to the opening time, but then would have continued at least 45 minutes after the opening time will go on, beginning at the opening time. For example, a three-hour class that normally begins at 9:30 am and continues to 12:30 pm would start at 10:00 am and continue as usual until 12:30 pm in the case of a two hour delay.

If weather conditions cause the College to close, all NOVA campuses and off-campus locations will also be closed.

The College makes its closing announcements as quickly as it can. During the workday, please do not call to ask whether the College will be closing. If the decision is to close, everyone will be notified. Responding to telephone calls prevents staff from receiving information from police and weather services and often slows down the closing decision.