The City of Waynesboro continues to prepare for and monitor the track and potential impacts of Hurricane Florence.
Current guidance from the National Weather Service, the National Hurricane Center, and the Mid-Atlantic River Forecast Center indicates that Hurricane Florence is expected to take a northerly turn late Saturday or early Sunday and track up the Appalachians towards Pennsylvania.
Friday through Sunday we may experience rain showers, some possibly heavy, that could cause flash flooding of small streams, creeks, and roadways. This could also cause rises on the South River.
Currently there is no forecast for river flooding through Sunday. Additional impacts from a northerly track of the storm would likely be seen Sunday night into Monday and Tuesday. Heavy rainfall of 4-6 inches with some locally higher amounts are possible.
Should this scenario occur in the South River watershed, additional rises on the South River would be expected. Those rises could reach or exceed flood stage.
Currently all City Public Safety and Public Works staff are on increased alert and are prepared to respond as necessary. Over 140 tons of sand and 8,000 sandbags have been dispensed. A decision will be made based upon future forecasts, if there is a need to make more available.
Citizens and business owners with interests in floodprone areas are asked to take preparatory actions now and to closely monitor the situation and be prepared to evacuate if instructed to do so.
Emergency shelter
The emergency shelter at Kate Collins Middle School on Ivy Street is on standby and will be opened if the situation warrants.
The shelter will only accept service animals. A domestic pet shelter is available at the old Riverheads Elementary School in Greenville.
Items to take with you to a shelter include medications, blanket and pillow, change of clothing, personal hygiene items, cell phone and charger, snacks, and items to keep you busy like books or magazines. Transportation can be made available if needed.
Notices of the need to evacuate and open shelters would be made available through the City’s emergency notification system, local media outlets, and the City’s web and Facebook pages. If you have not yet registered your cell phone and email with our emergency notification system you can do so at the following link: www.waynesboro.va.us/208/Reverse-911
If you haven’t prepared your home emergency kit the following link provides instructions on how to do so and what should be included: www.vaemergency.gov/emergency-kit.
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