Title
Resolution of the City Council of the City of Hampton, Virginia Confirming the Declaration and Termination of a Local Emergency Made Necessary by the Winter Storm (known as the "31 January 2026 Winter Storm"), Declared on January 31, 2026, and Terminated on February 1, 2026, by the Acting Hampton Director of Emergency Management
Purpose
PURPOSE/BACKGROUND:
Deputy City Manager / Acting Hampton Director of Emergency Management Brian DeProfio issued a Declaration of Local Emergency on January 31, 2026, as weather conditions predicted to be caused by the storm known as the "31 January 2026 Winter Storm" (or the "Storm") constituted a real and substantial threat to the health and safety of persons and property in the City. Confirmation by Council of this Declaration of Local Emergency is required by law. The Declaration of Local Emergency was terminated on February 1, 2026 by the Acting Hampton Director of Emergency Management. This resolution further includes the Council's action confirming the termination of the Declaration of Local Emergency.
Recommendation:
Rec
Approval of this resolution is required by law.
Body
WHEREAS, Section 44-146.21 prescribes two methods for declaring an emergency: (i) by the local director of emergency management with the consent of the governing body; and (ii) in the event the governing body is unable to intervene, by the director of emergency management subject to confirmation by the governing body at its next regularly scheduled meeting or at a special meeting within forty five days of the declaration, whichever is first to occur;
WHEREAS, it was necessary and the conditions were proper on January 31, 2026, for Deputy City Manager Brian DeProfio, as Acting Hampton Director of Emergency Management, to declare a local emergency in the City without first obtaining the consent of the Hampton City Council (the "Council"), and confirmation by the Council is now required by law;
WHEREAS, the Council is satisfied that the weather conditions predicted to be caused, and actually caused by the “31 January 2026 Winter Storm” (or the "Storm") posed a threat of such magnitude and severity as to warrant coordinated local government action to prevent or alleviate the damage, loss, hardship and suffering threatened or caused by such conditions, and necessitated a declaration of local emergency;
WHEREAS, on February 1, 2026, Deputy City Manager Brian DeProfio, as Acting Hampton Director of Emergency Management, issued an Order Terminating Declaration of Local Emergency effective at 7:00 a.m.; and
WHEREAS, Council agrees that conditions requiring emergency action no longer exist and, therefore, termination of the declared emergency was appropriate.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Hampton, Virginia:
1. That it hereby confirms the Declaration of Local Emergency made on January 31, 2026, by the Acting Hampton Director of Emergency Management;
2. That it confirms that all needed emergency actions were taken, and it was an appropriate action to end the declared local emergency; and
3. That it hereby confirms the Order Terminating Declaration of Local Emergency effective February 1, 2026, at 7:00 a.m.