County Manager Declares State of Emergency Following Heavy Rains, Flo

Published on July 10, 2019

UPDATE (July 17, 2019): Aaron Miller, Director of the Department of Public Safety Communications and Emergency Management (PSCEM), provides details of the Declaration of Local Emergency for Arlington County:

https://youtu.be/3reC3K_Loj8

UPDATE (July 13, 2019): The County Board consented to the declaration of a local emergency by the County Manager.

County Manager Mark Schwartz signed a Declaration of Local Emergency for Arlington County, effective 8:30 a.m. on July 8, 2019, in response to the Flash Flood Emergency that saw torrential rain, dangerous public safety conditions and damage to private and public facilities. 

"Following record setting rainfall and flash flooding on Monday, initial damage assessments have clearly shown the impact to residents and businesses in our community," said Aaron Miller, Director of the Department of Public Safety Communications and Emergency Management (PSCEM). "This emergency declaration is a key step in activating recovery assistance for our community. We continue to work closely with state and regional partners, including the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, on the process of determining our community's eligibility for disaster assistance."

The County Board will vote to formalize the emergency declaration at Saturday's Regular Board Meeting, a step that positions the County to request reimbursement for storm-related costs through Virginia to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). UPDATE: The County Board consented to the declaration of a local emergency by the County Manager on July 13, 2019. (Watch video of the action, starting at the 6:50 mark).

The emergency state remains in effect until rescinded. What does a Declaration of Local Emergency mean for the community? Learn more in our FAQ. 

MORE: County Recovers from Severe Flooding, Requests Damage Information

As Arlington continues to work with state and local partners to assess damage, the County is asking those affected by Monday's storm to submit a Damage Report form by Friday, July 12. While owners are responsible for repairs on their property, the County could use this data to pursue disaster aid, to the extent it is available.  

Volunteers from the Arlington Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), the Virginia Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) and Team Rubicon have been trained and mobilized to go door-to-door to assist with damage assessments in the County. 

In the meantime, those with immediate needs are encouraged to dial 2-1-1 or call the local American Red Cross. Only dial 9-1-1 for a life-threatening emergency.