Tropical Storm Ernesto Recovery Efforts

September 6, 2006 

On August 31st, Tropical Storm Ernesto paid an unwelcome visit to the City of Richmond.  In preparation, Governor Kaine and Mayor Wilder each declared a state of emergency for the Commonwealth and City of Richmond respectively. 

Battery Park was hit particularly hard, as flooding forced an evacuation of the area.  A major sinkhole collapsed a sewer line on School Street, blocking the pipe and causing more flooding.  We were fortunate not to lose any lives in the storm.  However, the flooding is serious and the entire community is pulling together to help Battery Park recover.  

RECOVERY EFFORTS 

As we learned in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, coordination between all levels of government is essential to recovering from any disaster.   Currently, the City is coordinating recovery efforts.  I have been in touch with City officials and monitoring the City’s response so as to offer any assistance I can.  I also attended Councilman Chris Hilbert’s September 5th Community Meeting at the Police Academy to address citizen questions about the flooding and the City’s response.  

FEMA has been to the area to review the damage, and Governor Kaine is requesting a Declaration of Emergency from the Federal Government.  If granted, this will enable the City to obtain federal funding, and residents displaced by the flooding to use federal vouchers to obtain temporary housing.

Mayor Wilder announced recovery measures for residents of Battery Park.  Residents of flooded homes in the neighborhood will be offered temporary housing by the City.  For more information, call 646-7000 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.  

Residents impacted by Tropical Storm Ernesto should contact the Red Cross at 343-2097 or visit the service center, 420 E. Cary Street, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  Transportation to and from the Red Cross center is available at the Norrell Annex School at 201 W. Graham Road.    Citizens may also contact the City for additional information at 646-7000, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. 

As a result of flooding, Norrell Elementary School is closed.  Classes have been cancelled for the rest of the week.  Starting next week, students will be bused to Patrick Henry Elementary, where they will stay at least through December.   

Area residents should take note that the flood waters in Battery Park are contaminated.  Avoid standing water and wear waterproof clothing. Those with asthma, heart conditions, high blood pressure and other medical conditions are urged to be extra careful. 

The City has been working to pump the water out of the area, and at the City’s request, the State has provided additional pumps.  For information on cleaning up homes flooded with contaminated waters, visit http://www.richmondgov.com/getBlobD.asp?BlobID=A000B020C. 

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES 

First United Presbyterian Church and Trinity Baptist Church are collecting school supplies, backpacks, monetary contributions and school clothes for the children and families impacted by the flood. For more information or to help, contact Reverend Willie Woodson or Reverend Reginald Thompson, First United Presbyterian Church, 314-0214;  Rev. Lincoln James or Rev. Nathaniel West, Trinity Baptist Church, 321-9605.  Other churches are being contacted.

Lashawn Payne, Northside vice-president for the City-Wide PTA Association, has asked all area PTAs to donate $100 that will be used to provide school supplies and clothing for the students.  Volunteers are also requested to assist teachers unpacking and preparing Patrick Henry Elementary, which will house the Norrell students for the semester.  You can reach Mrs. Payne at 553-6778 or 389-2755. 

Battery Park residents Carol and Jonathan Davis are also collecting and coordinating contributions and volunteers to make sure students arriving at the "New Norrell School" on Tuesday morning will have school supplies.  The Davis's can be reached at 321-8020.

J.E.B. Stuart principal, Jennifer Moore, and Linwood Holton Principal, David Hudson, have agreed to receive donations of school supplies, clothing and household items at their schools for the Norrell Families. Mrs. Moore can be reached at 780-4879.  Mr. Hudson can be reached at 228-5310.  In addition to regular school hours, Linwood Holton will be open to receive donations on Saturday from 1:00 to 5:00 PM.  Clothing in all sizes -- from infant to adult is needed.  

Contributions can be made in care of the "Fund for Families of Norrell School" at First Market Bank, Brook Run Shopping Center, 5700 Brook Road, Richmond, Va., 23227, Attention: Jacqueline Evans.   

If you would like to contact me, please call my office at (804) 698-1171 or send an email to deljmcclellan@house.state.va.us.   

Authorized by Jennifer L. McClellan