FRANKLIN

Del. Emily Brewer (R-64) made the following statement on Tuesday afternoon.

“I, along with the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, encourage all Virginians to take this storm seriously. As a Category 4 hurricane, Florence now has sustained wind speeds of roughly 130 mph and is expected to make landfall late Thursday or early Friday morning. Waterways and roads across Hampton Roads and the Tidewater region have already begun to flood.”

Brewer added that a mandatory evacuation for Zone A was ordered on Monday night and began at 8 a.m. on Tuesday. To determine your evacuation zone, visit www.knowyourzone.org.

She also said that resources are also available on the website to learn more about the program, what to plan for and expect in the event of an evacuation, and how to ensure you are ready once you receive evacuation instructions.

“Once you ‘Know Your Zone,’ you should stay tuned to local media for detailed instructions from your local emergency manager about where to go, available shelters and evacuation routes, and when you will be able to return to your home,” stated Brewer.