Virginia Beach prepares citizens for emergency water distribution

Posted August 24, 2010
By Brittany Brown
Norfolk District Public Affairs

08/23/2010 - VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — The City of Virginia Beach public utilities department will test its capabilities during an exercise Aug. 25 to deliver water to the public in the event of an emergency.

Citizens are invited to drive through a designated area of the Kempsville Middle School parking lot from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. as city officials simulate the mass distribution of water in the event the city's water supply is ever compromised. The middle school is at the intersection of 860 Churchill Drive and Kempsville Road in Virginia Beach.

"This is an opportunity to test emergency relief plans before a catastrophic event occurs so when the time does come, we'll be well equipped to serve the community," said Thomas Leahy, public utilities director.

During the exercise citizens will drive up to the distribution area, pick up a free case of bottled water and a reusable shopping bag containing a Virginia hurricane evacuation guide along with giveaways provided by area organizations such as Lynnhaven River Now.

According to Katie Rider, media and communications coordinator for the city of Virginia Beach, "citizens should be in-and-out in about 10 minutes without having to step foot outside of their vehicles."

Also participating in the exercise will be volunteer members of the Norfolk District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' commodities team - a specialized Corps team that helps the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, and other state officials coordinate the purchase, transportation and distribution of water and ice during times of federal emergencies.

"Exercises such as the one organized by the city of Virginia Beach are essential components of a proactive approach to emergency preparedness before a disaster," said Jan VanHouten, emergency management specialist.

The exercise also provides Norfolk District's commodities team members with a great opportunity to foster interagency teamwork, continued VanHouten.