While other areas of Virginia experienced some severe weather conditions related to Hurricane Florence, the lower Northern Neck saw a weekend of light winds, rains and tidal action comparable to unnamed storms.
Before the storm changed direction and headed for the Carolinas Friday, Governor Northam had ordered a mandatory evacuation in Virginia’s coastal Zone A and an emergency shelter had been established at Lancaster Middle School in Kilmarnock.
Lancaster emergency services interim chief Matthew Smith said the storm caused minimal impact to the area. Citizens seeking shelter had checked out by mid-morning Friday and in anticipation of Gov. Northam lifting the evacuation order, it was decided to close the shelter.
Smith thanked the many volunteers, staff members and the Virginia National Guard who assisted in the demobilization effort. Eight residents were served by the Lancaster shelter, he said.