Town Crier Articles

Disasters - New Town is not immune from the potential of having a disaster: Normal Disasters are Severe Storms like Microbursts, Hurricanes, Power Outages, Tornadoes, and Fires.

 

Now we can add an unexpected Disaster, a Pandemic- Covid 19. This was not only unexpected but one type that had not occurred since 1918 with the Spanish Flu. 

 

We are now living in a live Pandemic that has caused over 54,000 deaths in the United State since February. We are now coping in this new Abnormal. 

 

This Virus is not typical. It is deadly and it can travel by direct object contact as well as water droplets from our Breaths and coughing. A cough can project small water droplets to over 26 feet away. Therefore the 6 feet or more of spacing as recommended by the CDC is critical if no one is coughing. As Covid-19 travels around our country and around the world we have found that is can affect not only older people with other medical conditions but even the young, teens, babies and middle age citizens. 

 

Please keep wearing face coverings/masks to help stop you from breathing in those water droplets or expelling them. The CDC asks that you “Do NOT wear a facemask meant for a healthcare worker.” Wash hands regularly for 20 seconds, use hand sanitizers as needed. More details on these preventive steps can be found on the CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html  [Note: If you already own an N-95 mask, be sure it is the mask without an exhale valve. This will stop incoming water droplets as well stop exhaled water droplets. Those with the exhale valve allow you to exhale easily but do not stop your breath water droplets.]

 

Hurricane season starts on June 1st. so please keep an ear to the weather reports as well as news about the Virus (national and reliable news like CBS, ABC, NCB, PBS, CNN, and MSNBC). We usually get most Hurricane activity that affects our area in late August thru Mid-October. We can expect similar or worst conditions this year. But did you know that hurricanes spawn tornadoes? We also have the threat of major thunderstorms in the summer that can cause micro-bursts storms with hurricane force winds. 

 

Are you prepared for:  Power Outages, downed trees, blocked roads, lack of phone and cell phone service, NO internet, NO TV, limited food on hand?  Is your Personal Emergency Plan up to date??? Please review the Basic Information below and visit the NTRA website for the complete New Town Residential Disaster Preparedness Plan.  

 

 

 

Ensure property is secure. Obtain food and water supplies for family and pets (for at least 3 days). Obtain batteries (for Flashlights, portable radio/TV), medications, personal products, and extra eyeglasses. Have an ample amount of cash on hand. Fill cars with gasoline. Turn off utilities as needed if you leave home. Secure important documents such as birth certificates, passports, wills and trusts. Have copies of insurance documents. Set aside clothing, blankets and pillows for several days if you have to evacuate. Get a copy of a Hurricane planning guide at a local grocery store. 

 

Emergency Information:

• Fire/Police: Dial 911

• JCC (James City County) Emergency Hotline: 757-875-2424

• JCC Emergency Management: 757-564-4315

• Utilities:

    1. Dominion Power: 1-866-366-4357

    2. Water/Sewer: 757-229-7421; 757-566-0112 (after hours)

    3. Virginia Natural Gas: 1-877-572-3342