Officials in the Charlottesville area have begun taking precautions to prevent as much damages and injuries as possible in the event that Hurricane Frances strikes the region.
Despite the likelihood that an approaching cold front will absorb most of the storm, City, Albemarle County and University officials set an emergency plan into motion last week, University Spokesperson Carol Wood said.
The plan calls for officials to respond based on weather conditions, whether they require student evacuations or the emergency continuation of services, as happened last year during Hurricane Isabel when the Observatory Hill Dining Hall remained open during a power outage with the help of refrigerated trucks.
In case the operation of services is threatened, those relating to community safety come first, Wood said.
"Certainly what takes priority is the hospital and patient care," she said.
According to a press release from University and local emergency officials, residents and students should avoid driving or wading through standing and flowing water.
Charlottesville Police Sgt. David Jones urged students to be aware of downed power lines.
"Just because a power line is down across the street doesn't mean it's safe to cross on the other side of the street," Jones said.
In addition to police and fire officials, volunteers from CERT, the local community emergency response team, will aid in responding to Hurricane Frances if necessary, performing jobs like damage estimation, road clearage and the delivery of food, water and ice to residents, Charlottesville Emergency Services Coordinator Kaye Harden said.
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