Eager to pitch in
Applaud the public employees and private citizens helping in tornado’s aftermath
Cleaning up the debris created by Sunday’s tornado in Virginia Beach promises to be no easy task. The twister traveled nearly 4 miles through the northeast part of the city, felling countless trees and inflicting extensive damage to several neighborhoods along its destructive path.
Yet, in the hours after the storm, first responders were out in force, looking for people to help. Local law enforcement secured the area to guard against rubberneckers and looters and to ensure unimpeded access for residents and cleanup efforts. And public works personnel leaped into action, beginning the arduous task of removing downed trees and debris so that those affected can resume their lives as soon as possible.
All of these public employees deserve a note of gratitude today, though their work won’t conclude for some time. As attention turns away, however, we should make sure those who are making a difference in the wake of this disaster are appreciated for their efforts.
Virginia Beach officials said Monday that the funnel cloud, which moved from the eastern branch of the Elizabeth River across Broad Bay and through Joint Expeditionary Base Fort Story, caused about $19 million in damage. That includes a $15 million price tag for residential property, $3 million for Fort Story and $731,000 for repairs to public infrastructure. That estimate is likely to rise.
But the numbers don’t convey the true impact of the storm, which can be better seen through photos, video footage and the stories of residents. Media outlets such as ours have done well to put human faces on this story, serving a reminder that it’s people, not property, who will be asked to endure this calamity and to whom we should direct our concern.
Yet, those photos and videos also show the enormous scope of the damage — roofs torn off and windows broken; trees downed on homes, roads, cars and power lines; vehicles and boats thrown every which way; and so much debris in the waterways throughout the area.
Public works employees are often the unsung heroes of municipal government: clearing snow in the winter, cutting grass in the summer, working constantly to make their communities safer and more attractive. They’re out in the elements when most of us would rather stay inside, either in the heat or air conditioning, and routinely deliver exemplary work.
Few Hampton Roads residents need that reminder. They see the men and women of these departments out and about, and they know full well how vital those efforts are. That includes local officials, who heaped praise on the timely, determined service those responding to the storm performed.
Those plaudits stand in contrast to Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s silence since Sunday night. The governor has yet to say much about the storm, those affected or the first responders who performed so admirably. Returning from a trip to Asia, he did manage to tweet videos of his speeches in California, however. Priorities.
Back here in the commonwealth, Virginia Beach officials also expressed admiration for the willingness of people throughout the area to help, though access to the storm-damaged neighborhoods was necessarily limited. The city offered a reminder that those eager to volunteer should sign up to serve at Volunteer Hampton Roads (volunteerhr.org), which coordinates with local governments, businesses and nonprofits throughout the Tidewater region.
By completing a profile with Volunteer Hampton Roads, area residents can be mobilized to help in the event of a natural disaster, such as this, or can answer the call for one of the organization’s other outreach efforts when the opportunity arises. If called into action, they would complement the work happening on the ground and already making progress.
Storm victims have a long journey ahead, and the efforts of municipal employees, such as those with Virginia Beach Public Works, are doing what they can to make it a little easier. Those efforts are greatly appreciated and should not be overlooked by residents and officials alike.