Hampton ‘zones-in’ with new magnet reminders for residents

July 23--As hurricane season revs up, Hampton households can expect to receive special refrigerator magnets identifying their specific evacuation zone, officials said.

The magnets are a part of Hampton's "Know your Zone" campaign that is aimed at encouraging residents to have a disaster plan in place for themselves, their families and their pets, said Hui-Shan Walker, the city's emergency management coordinator.

It's also crucial to have ready a supply kit with important documents, items and medication. Flood insurance is helpful, even if it is not required, Walker said.

The magnets -- which should hit mailboxes between late July and early August -- will come with a flier that includes helpful advice on how to flood-proof your home, plus the city's emergency number and website -- 757-727-8311 and hampton.gov -- to stay abreast.

Households that haven't received a magnet by mid-August should call the Hampton's Citizen Contact Center at the above-listed number.

In 2017, Virginia launched a special tiered evacuation system as a way to inform residents whether they should evacuate, based on what "zone" they lived in, during a hurricane or other emergency.

The new zones are designated A, B, C and D, according to the Virginia Department of Emergency Management.

If a storm is on the horizon or when another emergency surfaces, state and local emergency management officials will collaborate to decide which zones in Hampton are most at risk.

A storm's intensity, path, speed and tides are among some factors taken into consideration to determine a course of action -- whether that's staying put, heading to higher or safer ground, or leaving the region, officials said.

Meteorologists set the Atlantic hurricane season from June 1 through Nov. 30, which peaks between mid-August through late October.

Sheriff's office is recruiting

Special recruitment days at the Hampton Sheriff's Office are coming Saturday.

The informational session is for full- and part-time spots in law enforcement, nursing staff, technology and other administrative positions. A written exam and fingerprinting will take place for all who apply. There is an additional agility test for those applying to become deputies.

Anyone who is interested should come to the Hampton Circuit Court building, 237 N. King St. Registration will take place from 8-9 a.m. Additional details are available at hampton.gov/sheriff.

First Baptist Church of Hampton makes its mark

First Baptist Church of Hampton, established in 1863, is on the historic map now with a new marker outlining the church's history and significance.

Members of the Civil War Trails group broke ground last week and installed the new historic marker on the church's perimeter as several members of the church's archive ministry looked on with pride.

First Baptist is Hampton's first independent African-American Baptist church and a dedication ceremony is happening soon, says William Wiggins, a local historian and church archivist.

"It shows clearly, first, the independence from white-dominated/controlled churches," Wiggins said. "African-Americans weren't citizens in 1865."

First Baptist, like many black churches of the era, evolved from members who worshiped in designated sections of white churches and branched off to start churches of their own. Post-Civil War time, there weren't very many African-American churches in Hampton Roads area, Wiggins.

First Baptist was the trailblazer in Hampton. Soon after, other independent black churches sprang up, such as Zion Baptist Church, Bethel A.M.E. Church and Queens Street Baptist Church, Wiggins said.

"I call them the 'Contraband Churches' because of the end of the Civil War in 1865. You would no longer have a contraband with the 13th Amendment, when slavery ended. This is very important to the history ... because of the congregants," he said.

Vernon Sparks can be reached by phone at 757-247-4832 or on Twitter at @lvernonsparks.

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