BY EMILY BATTLE
Tornadoes caused destruction in southeastern Virginia earlier this week, and hurricane season officially begins a month from yesterday.
That makes disaster preparation a timely topic.
Tomorrow, emergency workers in Fredericksburg and King George County will stage an emergency preparedness drill that's the first of its kind in Virginia.
Emergency workers will run "point of distribution" drills, where they'll practice handing out bottled water and other supplies to a large group of people.
They're asking local residents to help by stopping by one of the two sites tomorrow.
Expect to drive in, have bottled water and perhaps other emergency supplies given to you or loaded into your trunk or back seat, and then leave.
The point of the drill is to get goods out quickly, so there should be no lines if things go correctly.
"We can't do the drill if we don't have citizens participate," said Mark Bledsoe of the Fredericksburg Fire Department.
Fredericksburg will hold its drill from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m.--or until supplies run out--in the parking lot of Walker--Grant Middle School, which is on Learning Lane off U.S. 1.
King George County will hold a similar exercise starting at 9 a.m. at King George High School.
Supplies for the exercise have been donated by Wal-Mart, Nestle and Hertz Rental Equipment.
Emily Battle: 540/374-5413
Email: ebattle@freelancestar.com