GOVERNOR

EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER FORTY-SIX (2019)

Declaration of a State of Emergency for the Commonwealth of Virginia Due to Highway Damages from Flooding

Importance of the Issue

On this date, December 6, 2019, I declare a state of emergency to exist for the Commonwealth of Virginia due to flooding that affected roadways in the northern Virginia portions of the Commonwealth during July 5 to July 8, 2019.

The health and general welfare of the citizens require that state action be taken to help alleviate the conditions caused by this situation. The effects of this incident constitute a disaster wherein human life and public and private property are imperiled, as described in § 44-146.16 of the Code of Virginia.

Therefore, by virtue of the authority vested in me by § 44-146.17 of the Code of Virginia, as Governor and as Director of Emergency Management, and by virtue of the authority vested in me by Article V, Section 7 of the Constitution of Virginia and by § 44-75.1 of the Code of Virginia, as Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces of the Commonwealth, and subject always to my continuing and ultimate authority and responsibility to act in such matters, I declare that a state of emergency exists, and I am directing that appropriate assistance be rendered by agencies of both state and local governments to respond to the impacts of this severe weather event, alleviate any conditions resulting from the incident, and to implement recovery and mitigation operations and activities so as to return impacted areas to pre-event conditions in so far as possible.

In order to marshal all public resources and appropriate preparedness, response, and recovery measures to meet this threat and recover from its effects, and in accordance with my authority contained in § 44-146.17 of the Code of Virginia, I hereby order the following protective and restoration measures:

A. Implementation by state agencies of the Commonwealth of Virginia Emergency Operations Plan (COVEOP) along with other appropriate state agency plans.

B. Activation of the Virginia Emergency Operations Center (VEOC) and the Virginia Emergency Support Team (VEST), as directed by the State Coordinator of Emergency Management, to coordinate the provision of assistance to local governments and emergency services assignments of other agencies as necessary and determined by the State Coordinator of Emergency Management and other agencies as appropriate.

C. Implementation by public agencies of their emergency assignments under my supervision and control as directed in the COVEOP without regard to normal procedures pertaining to performance of public work, entering into contracts, incurring of obligations or other logistical and support measures of the Emergency Services and Disaster Laws, as provided in § 44-146.28(b) of the Code of Virginia. Section 44-146.24 of the Code of Virginia also applies to the disaster activities of state agencies.

Effective Date of this Executive Order

This Executive Order shall be effective July 5, 2019, and shall remain in full force and effect until December 20, 2019, unless sooner amended or rescinded by further executive order. Termination of this Executive Order is not intended to terminate any federal-type benefits granted or to be granted due to injury or death as a result of service under this Order.

Given under my hand and under the Seal of the Commonwealth of Virginia, this 6th day of December, 2019.

/s/ Ralph S. Northam
Governor