BROCK VERGAKIS
Associated Press
HAMPTON, Va. (AP) — Virginia will move up its decision-making process for a mandatory hurricane evacuation by up to 12 hours.
Gov. Terry McAuliffe announced the change during a news conference in Hampton on Thursday.
The expedited timeline is part of an expansive review of the state’s hurricane preparedness plan.
Over the next two years, state officials also plan to develop hurricane evacuation zones for the Hampton Roads area. To aid with evacuations, the plan calls for providing incentives for gas stations to add generators to their facilities in case they lose power.
Among other things, the revised plan also calls for finding more adequate hurricane shelters in the Hampton Roads region.
Currently, only eight shelters in the region can withstand a Category 2 hurricane.
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