VCE’s Emergency Resources Webpages Can Help Save Lives and Property Before, During and After Disasters
Screenshot of VCE Emergency Resource Webpage (Weather)
In an emergency, every moment is of the essence, and being prepared for a disaster like a hurricane can save lives.
The Virginia Cooperative Extension’s (VCE) emergency preparedness webpages are designed to help Virginia residents prepare for all types of disasters. The pages, part of the ext.vsu.edu website, were created in 2018, as hurricane Michael took aim at Virginia and was expected to make a direct hit. Within 24 hours, Extension staff from Virginia State University (VSU) and Virginia Tech (VT) quickly gathered resources and information needed before, during and after a hurricane.
The VSU College of Agriculture’s Marketing and Communications Department took the lead on preparing, maintaining and marketing the site. It was the first time that important information on severe weather-related disasters was gathered in one place, and easily accessible to Extension agents, and more importantly to their clients.
It was also the first time that VSU took the lead to host web resources that were designed to support not only its own Extension programs, but those of the entire Virginia Cooperative Extension system, including those of Virginia Tech.
Fortunately, Hurricane Michael didn’t make a direct hit in Virginia, but it still caused flooding and serious damage to farm property across the state. After the storm passed, the webpages were later expanded to include information on all kinds of disasters, from weather, to fire, financial and more.
The Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to Nov. 30, has already gotten off to a devastating and deadly start in 2021, with Hurricane Ida wreaking havoc on hard-hit Louisiana and leaving a trail of destruction across eight states that claimed more than 80 lives.
The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, which tracks hurricanes, is predicting a 65% probability of increased tropical storm activity this season. VCE’s hurricane pages include a real-time satellite feed with an interactive map that tracks tropical storms. The site provides tips on how you can prepare you and your family for the hurricane season and other disasters. Preparing in advance of a storm or other disaster can mean the difference between life and death, and having the information and resources to recover quickly can save families, businesses and communities valuable time and money.