Prince George County is susceptible to a variety of threats, both natural and manufactured. Examples of these include but are not limited to:

• Hurricanes
• Severe Thunder Storms
• Chemical
• Hazardous Material Spills
• Ice or Snow Storms
• Acts of Terrorism
• Tornadoes

Natural events may be more predictable depending on seasonal weather patterns. They also often give us time to prepare as most, but not all, escalate from minor events. Examples of natural disasters include wind events such as hurricanes and tropical storms, tornadoes, ice/snow storms, and severe thunderstorms.

Man-made emergencies are less predictable and often occur without warning with a faster speed of onset. Examples of man-made events include chemical or hazardous material spills, hostage situations, or acts of terrorism.

If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 911. You can report non-emergencies to  (804) 733-2770 

Prepare Your Family

Before a disaster, take steps to ensure that you and your loved ones can reunite, communicate, and meet your basic needs. Below are links to resources that can help you take action to prepare.

Making Your Plan:

You should know what to do before a disaster strikes. Once a plan is made, make sure to share it with your family. Go over your plan and practice regularly.

Medical Needs

Those who have medical needs or who receive in home care should create a plan with their providers and caregivers included.

Additional planning tools and information on Preparedness Kits can be found on the Virginia Department of Emergency Management website.

• • Ready.gov: The Department of Homeland Security resource for information on hazards and how to prepare yourself, your family, your pets, and your business.
  • Federal Emergency Management Agency
    • Are You Ready Guide
    • Disaster Kit
    • Persons with Special Needs
    • Seniors
    • FEMA Kids
  • Pets / Livestock
    • Humane Society
    • American Red Cross Pets
    • AVMA
    • ASPCA
    • FEMA Pets

For Updated Information on Hurricanes We have Provided a Link to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for you. This Link can Provided updated Information on Storm Forecast, Maps, Imagery and More.
Up To Date Hurricane Information

First, understand the terms. The National Weather Service issues alert when dangerous weather conditions can potentially affect an area or are in immediate danger of impacting an area.

A watch is used when there is a risk of hazardous weather (thunderstorm, tornado, or flooding). When a watch is issued, keep an eye on the weather. Be ready to enact your plan if it becomes necessary to do so.

A warning is issued when hazardous weather (thunderstorm, tornado, or flooding) is occurring, is imminent, or has a very high probability of occurring. A warning is used for conditions posing a threat to life or property. When a thunderstorm or tornado warning is issued, take cover on the lowest level of your home, in an interior room. If your home is in danger of flooding, move to higher ground immediately.

Hurricane season is June 1st through November 30th in the Atlantic and May 15th through November 30th in the Eastern Pacific.
However, it is possible for tropical storms to occur outside of those date ranges.

You should go to the Central Wellness Center (11023 Prince George Dr., Disputanta, VA 23842). Other criteria for opening a school for a shelter would include proximity to the event. Be sure to take items such as medications, blankets, clothes, and identification to the shelter. Pets are not allowed inside the shelter.

Sign up for CodeRED®, a system that is used to send critical communications, from evacuation notices to missing child alerts.

Sign up for Prince George E-Notify for information about shelters before, during, and after an emergency event.

The Emergency Operations Center is where the Emergency Management Coordinator and other key individuals meet during a disaster. With a central location, all individuals involved in making decisions reference the response and recovery from a particular incident coordinate their efforts.

In the event that an emergency happens in Prince George County, all of Prince George Public Safety, such as Fire and Police will respond as well as volunteer organizations will likely be deployed to assist citizens and help with the recovery process. To get involved and volunteer:

• Prince George County’s Community Emergency Response Team , or CERT, program is based on the American tradition of “Neighbors Helping Neighbors Prepare for Emergencies.”
  • CERT training prepares citizens and communities to take more active roles in the county’s emergency-preparedness efforts.
• Contact your local  
•  Contact the Medical Reserve Corps, or other volunteer organization.

The first choice would be to have a family member or caregiver take your relative someplace that will support his or her needs. After a disaster, libraries or other county facilities may be opened to allow for recharging the batteries in medical equipment. If someone is experiencing a medical problem due to the loss of power, he or she should call 911.

Libraries will be utilized as information stations during a disaster. Additional county-specific disaster information will be posted to the County Website as well as the Facebook Page.