THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, June 9, 1996 TAG: 9606080082
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 08 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JOHN-HENRY DOUCETTE, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: 118 lines
Hurricane Camille ripped through Virginia in 1969.
The storm landed in Mississippi Aug. 17 and made a steady climb north through the Virginia mountains. Camille sparked rampant flooding and washed away 153 lives.
Other storms have touched Hampton Roads since. Camille was the last major hurricane to hit the area full-force.
``It's been quite a while since Hampton Roads has been hit,'' said Evan Stewart. ``We're long overdue.''
The 22-year-old meteorologist with a local television station was one of many local experts at a regional hurricane preparedness exposition held in the center court of Chesapeake Square Mall June 1, the first day of hurricane season.
The Hampton Roads Emergency Management Committee sponsored the event to inform the public how to prepare and respond to hurricanes. It also provided information about the emergency programs designed to help them in case a storm strikes. Hurricane Expos were also held at the Patrick Henry and Pembroke malls.
Displays at Chesapeake Square included a model of a hurricane shelter, and an ambulance-sized mobile communication station run by amateur radio operators when other communication systems are lost in an emergency. Pamphlets from the American Red Cross and various emergency organizations were available.
Brian T. Cullen of the National Weather Service in Wakefield sat at a table displaying the historical tracks hurricanes have taken through southeastern Virginia and the Carolinas since 1933.
Last year was an extremely heavy year for hurricane activity, he said - no surprise to Hampton Roads residents who weathered several storms.
According to Cullen, this year will be less active than 1995.
``We're expecting 11 name storms this year,'' said Cullen. ``There are expected to be seven hurricanes and two major storms.''
These figures are based on predictions made by Dr. William Gray, a noted hurricane expert from Colorado State University. Gray accurately predicted last year's activity. Nineteen storms were big enough to be named in 1995.
Stewart, the TV meteorologist, said, ``It only takes one storm to really endanger an area and cause a lot of damage.''
To warn Virginians in advance of big storms, 20 meteorologists and technicians in the Wakefield office of the National Weather Service monitors wind and weather conditions throughout southeastern Virginia by reading a system of weather transmitters.
Information gleaned from these transmitters is broadcast over radio airwaves at 162.55 MHz, a frequency that cannot be tuned in on normal radios. It can only be heard through use of a short wave radio or ``weather radios'' available at electronics stores.
``A weather radio is the best thing to get in case there's a watch or a warning,'' said Weather Service technician Susan J. Funk.
If there is a risk of high winds approaching within 36 hours, the service broadcasts a hurricane watch is in effect, said Funk. If strong winds increase, the service issues a hurricane warning within 24 hours of the expected strike.
``Hopefully, in that 12 hours between watch and warning, people will have been able to get things together,'' said Funk.
George O'Neal Urquhar of the Virginia Department of Emergency Services said the first step toward being prepared to handle a hurricane crisis is to understand the threat.
``The unthinkable will occur,'' said Urquhar. ``We live in a coastal community. Even when we're just brushed with a hurricane, preparedness can save lives.''
Bruce Sterling of Portsmouth Emergency Services office said, ``We find that people don't really get concerned until the storm's off the coast. That's too late. Our goal is for people to be self sufficient for at least 72 hours.
``If a bad storm hits,'' said Sterling, ``it could be that long before we get there with supplies.''
Shiela S. Sendling of Deep Creek has been in that situation. She and her 7-year-old daughter Angelina investigated displays during a break from shopping. They picked up some of the literature provided.
``Last year when we had the storms, I thought we were prepared, but when they hit I had to run to the stores to get things,'' said Sendling. ``This year we're going to take care of that in advance.''
Leonard D. Stanton, also visiting the mall with his daughter, was less concerned.
``I live out in Suffolk,'' he said, pointing on a display map to an inland area near the Dismal Swamp. ``I'm away from everything. I guess I don't have to worry about it.''
Sterling of Emergency Services shook his head at that notion.
``Look at what happened with Hugo: You had big trees getting blown down 100 miles inland,'' said Sterling. ``If a hurricane comes inland, it will reach that area, and if we need to evacuate, we're going to be coming his way.''
This was the mission of the expo.
Sterling said, ``When this guy leaves here, he's going to know.'' ILLUSTRATION: AT A GLANCE
PRIMARY SHELTERS
Deep Creek High School, 2900 Margaret Booker Drive
Great Bridge High School, 301 Hanbury Road, West
Indian River High School, 1969 Braves Trail
Oscar F. Smith High School, 1994 Tiger Drive
Western Branch High School, 4222 Terry Drive
SECONDARY SHELTERS
Butts Road Primary School, 1000 Mt. Pleasant Road
Butts Road Intermediate School, 1571 Mt. Pleasant Road
Camelot Elementary School, 2901 Guenevere Drive
Carver Intermediate School, 2601 Broad Street
Crestwood Middle School, 1420 Great Bridge Blvd.
Crestwood Intermediate School, 1240 Great Bridge Blvd.
Deep Creek Elementary School, 2809 Forehand Drive
Georgetown Primary School, 436 Providence Road
Great Bridge Intermediate School, 253 Hanbury Road
Great Bridge Middle School South, 441 Battlefield Blvd. S.
Greenbrier Intermediate School, 1701 River Birch Run N.
Greenbrier Primary School, 1551 Eden Way S.
Indian River Middle School, 2300 Greenbrier Road
Oscar F. Smith Middle School, 2500 Rodgers St.
Rena B. Wright Elementary School, 600 Park Ave.
Sparrow Road Intermediate School, 1605 Sparrow Road
Southwestern Elementary School, 4410 Airline Blvd.
Thurgood Marshall Elementary School, 2706 Border Road
Western Branch Intermediate School, 4013 Terry Drive
Western Branch Middle School, 4201 Hawksley Drive
Western Branch Primary, 4122 Terry Drive by CNB