Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell today ordered the closure of state offices in areas expected to be hard-hit by Hurricane Irene.
State offices in Virginia Beach, Newport News, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Richmond and other localities will close at 3 p.m. Friday.
The governor encouraged other employers to do the same.
“Citizens, including state employees, should be taking seriously the need to prepare for this significant storm and to ready their families, homes and communities for the possible evacuation and for the impacts of Hurricane Irene,” McDonnell said.
The governor declared a state of emergency Thursday in anticipation of the hurricane.
He also declared a state of emergency for Louisa and Culpeper counties in the aftermath of the earthquake.
