Hazardous Weather Guide

24-HOUR INSTALLATION STATUS HOTLINE: (804) 765-2679

ALERT! SYSTEM

Before and during inclement weather incidents, eligible personnel can get real-time updates before anyone else by registering to receive ALERT! messages. Employees can receive e-mail, text message and telephonic alerts at work or at home when the installation is experiencing an emergency or serious incident. Messages can also be sent to home phones and other personal communications mediums. Service members, DOD Civilians and contractors can register for the notification system by signing in with their Common Access Card to any computer connected to the government network and visiting alert.csd.disa.mil. If any difficulties are encountered, seek assistance from your organization’s computer technician or the personnel manager assigned to most units.

DIGITAL GARRISON

In addition to providing general information about the installation and its services, the Digital Garrison app includes alert message capability for your selected installation.

ONLINE & NEWS MEDIA ALERTS

Personnel and residents can also stay informed by tuning into local television news channels, monitoring websites or listening to area radio stations for the latest weather updates on the severe weather threats, as well as information on evacuations, shelters, school closings, and other storm-related actions. Information about Fort Gregg-Adams operational status changes will be shared via the following communication mediums:

The following information is included in Fort Lee Policy 18-02-01 - Operating and Release Procedures During Adverse Weather Conditions.

NOTE: Service members and civilian personnel who are unsure of post operating procedures or their reporting status should speak with their supervisor for further guidance.

Early Release

When the decision is made to release employees not designated as essential, a “not earlier than” release time will be set. Typically, employees will be released on a staggered basis within their organizations based on how far they live from Fort Gregg-Adams to reduce traffic congestion and hazards. Early release is authorized only for employees who are on duty with no charge to leave.

Delayed Opening

Delayed reporting authorizes nonessential employees additional time to safely report to work. Delayed openings typically will be announced to allow for staggered arrival/reporting based on the employee’s normal reporting time. Delayed reporting applies to military and civilian personnel and leave will not be charged.

Liberal Leave

Liberal leave means federal civilian employees may use annual leave or leave without pay without obtaining advance approval or providing detailed justification. Employees who cannot make it to work because of inclement weather should call their supervisor and request unscheduled leave.

Post Closed

Only essential personnel need to report as scheduled or directed by their supervisor. Nonessential employees scheduled to work on those days will be excused without charge to leave or loss of pay. Employees on previously authorized leave will not be charged for leave on those days.

Severe weather can happen anytime. Hazardous conditions include lightning, damaging winds, tornadoes, hail, flooding and flash flooding, flying debris and falling objects, freezing rain, sleet, snow and bitter cold.

It is important to be prepared before and during inclement weather. Always consider the possibility of being unable to leave your quarters for a few days due to dangerous road conditions, so stock up on essential food and comfort items.

Also make a family communication plan. Your family may not be together during an extreme weather event, so it is important to know how you will contact one another, how you will get back together, and what you will do during an emergency.

Make sure you have at least one of the following in case there is a power failure:

• Cellphone, portable charger and extra batteries.
• Battery-powered radio, with extra batteries, for listening to local emergency instructions.

Emergency Food Supplies:

• Store at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food.
• Choose foods your family will eat.
• Remember any special dietary needs.
• Avoid foods that will make you thirsty.
• Choose salt-free crackers, whole grain cereals and canned foods with high liquid content.

Following a disaster, there may be power outages that could last for several days. Stock canned foods, dry mixes and other staples that do not require refrigeration, cooking, water or special preparation. Be sure to include a manual can opener and eating utensils.

Have the following safety equipment:

• First aid kit with contents that have not expired.
• Chemical fire extinguisher.
• Smoke alarm in working order (Check prior to winter storm season and change batteries, if needed).
• Carbon monoxide detector (Check prior to winter storm season and change batteries, if needed).
• Gas Generator.
  • Never use an electric generator indoors, inside the garage, or near the air intake of your home because of the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
  • Do not use the generator or appliances if they are wet.
  • Do not store gasoline indoors where fumes could ignite.
  • Use individual heavy-duty, outdoor-rated cords to plug in other appliances.

Water Checklist:

Maintain a water supply. Extreme cold can cause water pipes in your home to freeze and sometimes break.

• Leave water taps slightly open so they drip continuously.
• Keep the indoor temperature warm.
• Allow more heated air near pipes. Open kitchen cabinet doors under the kitchen sink.
• If your pipes freeze, do not thaw them with a torch. Thaw the pipes slowly with warm air from an electric hair dryer.
• If you cannot thaw your pipes, or if the pipes have broken open, use bottled water or get water from a neighbor’s home.
• Fill the bathtub or have bottled water on hand.
• In an emergency, if no other water is available, snow can be melted for drinking. Bringing water to a rolling boil for one minute will kill most germs but won’t get rid of chemicals sometimes found in snow.

Heating Checklist:

Turning on the stove for heat is not safe; it is better to use any of the following heat sources in case the power goes out:

• Extra blankets, sleeping bags and warm winter coats.
• Fireplace with plenty of dry firewood or a gas-log system.
• Portable space heaters or kerosene heaters.
  • Check with your local fire department to make sure kerosene heaters are legal in your area.
  • Use electric space heaters with automatic shut-off switches and non-glowing elements.
  • Never place a space heater on top of furniture or near water.
  • Never leave children unattended near a space heater.
  • Keep heat sources at least 3 feet away from furniture and drapes.

Winterize your vehicle

• Carry blankets, flashlight, first-aid kit, extra winter clothing, a shovel, jumper cables, road flares, matches/candle and a coffee can (for melting snow or to hold candle), compass, road maps, emergency food & water, and anything else that might come in handy if you get stuck.
• Keep at least a half tank of gas in your vehicle.
• Try not to travel alone, and let people know where you’re going, the route you plan to travel, and when you expect to arrive and depart.

Maintain a Disaster Supply Kit:

• First-aid kit
• Water
• Food
• Infant formula and diapers
• Prescription medication
• Important family documentation
• Fire extenguisher
• Cash or traveler’s checks and change
• Pet food and extra water for your pet
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio
• Flashlight and extra batteries

The following information is included in Policy 21-01 - Fort Lee Snow Removal Policy.

Sidewalks and Entrances

Building occupants are responsible for cleaning from building to the parking lot. U-Do-It Center has equipment/supplies available for pick up.

Road Clearing Priorities

Crews are placed on standby as soon as a severe weather event is predicted. Fort Gregg-Adams roadways to be cleared of debris are identified and prioritized by:

• Emergency vehicle access
• Mission support (schoolhouse areas, barracks)
• Parking lots

Ready.Gov

www.ready.gov

511 Virginia Traffic Information

www.511virginia.org

Virginia Dept. of Emergency Management

www.vaemergency.gov

Dominion Virginia Power

www.dom.com (type “outage safety and preparation” in search area)