Mid-Atlantic hurricane scenario to highlight FEMA’s 2018 National Level Exercise

Lessons learned during the 2017 hurricane season will highlight Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) 2018 National Level Exercise, which will bring government agencies, the private sector, non-profits, and individuals together from April 30 to May 11.

The biennial national exercise will use a scenario in which a mid-Atlantic hurricane makes landfall near Hampton Roads, Virginia, to assess the ability of federal, state and local governments to respond to catastrophic disasters. The scenario will prepare emergency responders to address power outages and critical infrastructure failures, including communications, transportation, water, wastewater, and hospitals.

“The National Level Exercise provides an opportunity for those living in vulnerable areas to participate by understanding their risk and taking action to prepare now,” FEMA Administrator Brock Long said. “Resiliency goes beyond just strengthening infrastructure, it is ensuring that citizens, state, local, tribal and territorial governments have the tools and skill sets necessary to reduce the impact of future disasters.”

Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Delaware, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia will take part in the event with federal departments and agencies. Private sector participation will allow for the testing of coordination across all levels of government, and individual participants can use the exercise to prepare for the 2018 hurricane season.

The 2018 national Level Exercise marks a critical step in the implementation of FEMA’s 2019-2022 Strategic Plan. Goals of the strategic plan include building a culture of preparedness, increasing readiness for catastrophic events and reducing the complexity of FEMA.