News Flash

September 10, 2018 - Earlier this evening, Gov. Northam issued a mandatory evacuation for Zone A starting at 8 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 11. This evacuation impacts approximately 18,000 households in Hampton as well as some city buildings. In light of this announcement, I have decided to implement liberal leave for non-essential employees starting at 8 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 11. As a reminder, liberal leave must be coordinated with your department head and/or supervisor. 

Non-essential employees who choose to take liberal leave tomorrow must use annual leave, compensatory leave or their personal day for regularly scheduled time not worked. Employees without sufficient leave balances to cover the period of liberal leave can make arrangements with management to make-up the hours during the administrative work week or take the time as unpaid. Non-essential employees residing in Zone A should make arrangements to seek shelter with family or friends on higher ground in advance of Hurricane Florence. Shelters are expected to open tomorrow beginning at 11 a.m. at Phenix Elementary and Bethel High School.

As I mentioned in my earlier email, department heads are authorized to identify essential personnel. If you have been identified as an essential employee for this event, your services are needed in advance of, during, and after Hurricane Florence. For those essential employees residing in Zone A, your department head will provide you with instructions tomorrow on sheltering options. Please take the appropriate time to ensure your family relocates to higher ground.

You may wonder about the safety and security of your residence during the evacuation period. We have requested the assistance of the National Guard to provide security, but please take the appropriate measures to secure your belongings as best as possible. Some of you were here in 2003 during Hurricane Isabel; however we are in uncharted territory, and I cannot stress enough the importance of following the directions from emergency management and public safety officials.

Thank you again for your service and I will update you as information becomes available.

-Mary