Leesburg staff present updated emergency operations plan; town highlights flood, wind and storm risks

Town staff briefed the Planning Commission on Sept. 4 about the town's updated emergency operations plan and how the town is organizing its Emergency Coordination Hub (ECH) to respond to floods, high winds and other hazards identified in regional mitigation work.

"The town completed their update of the emergency operations center plan in June 2025, and it was adopted. I'm sorry. Okay. And it was adopted by council," said Amy Cornell, emergency management and security coordinator, as she opened the staff presentation.

What staff told commissioners

- Plan and structure: Staff described a restructured Emergency Coordination Hub (ECH) that defines roles — an ECH manager, public information liaisons, safety, planning, resources, and finance and administration — and assigns town staff to specific functions. The ECH is intended to coordinate with Loudoun County's emergency operations center during incidents. - Threats and hazards: Staff said the town's hazard assessment (informed by the county nd the Northern Virginia hazard mitigation plan) lists flood, high winds, severe storms (including hurricanes and tornadoes) and winter weather among the highest local risks. - Lifelines and priorities: Presenters referenced FEMA lifelines (safety/security; food/hydration/shelter; health/medical; energy; communications; transportation; hazardous materials; water systems) as the restoration priorities used to guide response sequencing. - Water and regulation: Staff noted the town's water system is regulated by the Virginia Department of Health and the EPA and meets flow and pressure requirements needed for firefighting; private development continues to propose private fire-protection systems through the plan-review process. - Citizen preparedness and outreach: Because September is National Emergency Preparedness Month, the town plans press releases, social-media posts, and citizen information; staff reminded residents they can sign up for emergency alerts through Everbridge and that the town has a printed and web-based citizen preparedness guide.

Coordination and timeline

Staff said the town is coordinating with Loudoun County on evacuation guidance; the county expects a draft by March 2026 that would outline authority and coordination approaches (not tactical law-enforcement actions). Staff also reported the town is training identified personnel for ECH roles and intends to exercise the plan over the next year.

Questions from commissioners

Commissioners asked how California wildfire experiences were used as a comparison; Amy Cornell replied the commission nd staff examined differences in geography, climate, vegetation, urban planning and historical patterns and concluded California wildfire drivers are different than Virginia's. Commissioner questions also addressed hydrant maintenance, well regulation (directed to Loudoun County for private wells), and outreach to vulnerable residents; staff said police and fire would have evacuation authority and could use vehicle PA systems if needed.

Ending

Staff closed by saying the plan is being reviewed and trained on regularly and that the town will continue outreach for the public to prepare for emergency events. Staff invited further questions and will return to the commission as exercises and program milestones are scheduled.