News Flash

September 11, 2018 - City Manager's Message: Hurricane Florence Update/Operational Status for Wednesday 9-12-18

I am writing to give you an update on Hurricane Florence as well as our plans for tomorrow. I am sorry for the late email, but I just finished with a series of meetings that lasted all afternoon.

The current forecast still advises that Hurricane Florence will make landfall along the Southeast North Carolina Coast late Thursday or Friday morning. The impacts to are still forecast to be significant due to the system stalling and slowing down after landfall. We are forecast to have a prolonged period of rainfall Thursday evening and could continue through Sunday. Total rainfall amounts are forecasted between 5-10 inches with some areas receiving upwards of 15”. We should start to feel the effects of Tropical Storm winds during the day Thursday into Thursday evening.

Many of you are wondering about the status of City operations. Due to the unpredictability of the storm, operational decision are being made on a daily basis. Since we are not projected to have bad weather tomorrow, Wednesday September 12, 2018, we will be open for regular business hours with liberal leave available to employees who need it. As a reminder, all liberal leave must be coordinated with your department heads and/or supervisor.

As I mentioned last night, there are several City offices located in Zone A. Since the Governor has ordered an evacuation of Zone A, we will not be operating in the following locations which are in Zone A tomorrow or through the duration of the evacuation order:

1.    Ruppert Sergeant Building (Assessor, Commissioner of the Revenue, Economic Development, Procurement, Treasurer)

2.    Hampton History Museum and Tourist Information Center 

3.    Healthy Families

4.    Air Power Park and Athletics 

5.    Bluebird Gap Farm

6.    Buckroe Beach Park and Fishing Pier 

7.    Gosnold’s Hope Park 

8.    Fort Monroe Community Center 

9.    West Hampton Community Center 

Attempts will be made to relocate employees who work at the locations listed above to alternate locations in other Zones while the City remains open for business. Employees who work in these locations will get directions from their department head and/or supervisor as to where/when to report. If for some reason you do not hear from your supervisor, please contact them for directions. 

Our goal is to remain open for the pubic as long as it safe to do so. However, please know that we are continually monitoring the weather and will prioritize our employees' safety in all decision-making. 

Mary