The Office of Emergency Management & Homeland Security (OEM) serves the entire City of Alexandria and works with various city, regional, state, and federal agencies to be fully successful in carrying out its mission.

Severe weather awareness and tornado drill 2026

Severe Weather Awareness Week to be held March 9-13; Virginia Statewide Tornado Drill to take place March 10, 2026, at 9:45 AM.

• The City of Alexandria Mayor and City Council have proclaimed the month of March “Severe Weather Awareness Month” in the City of Alexandria to raise awareness of the risk for severe weather (like thunderstorms, flooding, and tornadoes) that increases during this time of year.
• The City of Alexandria Office of Emergency Management (OEM) urges all Alexandrians to prepare now for the severe weather season by visiting our website to review preparedness information and taking the necessary steps to prepare – know your risks, have a plan, build a kit, stay informed, and get involved!
• OEM is also partnering with the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) and the National Weather Service (NWS) to promote Virginia Severe Weather Awareness Week, March 9th – 13th, which includes the statewide tornado drill on Tuesday, March 10th, at 945 AM.
• We want all Alexandrians to prepare for severe weather by participating in Virginia Severe Weather Awareness Week and taking steps now to prepare, and by participating in the statewide tornado drill on Tuesday, March 11th at 945 AM.
• Visit the OEM website and the National Weather Service website for more information and sign up for emergency alerts from the City to stay informed of weather threats and other information.
• OEM will be at the Old Town Farmers’ Market every Saturday in March EXCEPT March 7th (the day of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade), providing information and preparedness items to help you get ready – stop by if you can!
• Contact us by email at EOC.Staff@alexandriava.gov if you have preparedness-related questions or would like to host or invite us to a community event. Thank you!
   

To save lives, protect property, and accelerate recovery from major emergencies by developing city-wide programs and emergency operational capabilities mitigating, responding to, and recovering from any emergency regardless of cause—whether in peacetime or a situation of national security. This is accomplished with the full support of the elected and appointed officials of the City. Our mission requires a varying range of skillsets from citizens, government, and the private and non-profit sectors.

Alexandria's Emergency Operations Center (EOC) opened in January 2019 with its official open house event held in June 2019. The purpose of the EOC is to provide a space where representatives from multiple agencies can work together to provide resources during various types of emergency incidents, such as snowstorms, power outages, major fire incidents, and planned events. It's first activation was the first week of the 2019 Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) shutdown. 

The EOC, which is managed by the City’s Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management, is in a secured building along with the Alexandria Sheriff’s Office at 2003 Mill Rd. The 8,750 square foot, state-of-the-art facility has 47 workstations, seven individual offices for OEM staff, state-of-the-art technology, and a conference room, with additional conference space and technological capabilities in the Sheriff’s Office. The EOC is designed not only for use during emergency situations, but also for training purposes. In order to prepare for expanding incidents that affect Alexandria and the region, the City is making the EOC available for use by local and regional emergency managers, first responders, and other preparedness partners in the community.

Emergency Preparedness Contact Number: 703.746.5200 (press "2," then "4")
In a life-threatening emergency, call 911.

City of Alexandria

Emergency Operations Center

2003 Mill Rd.

Alexandria, VA 22314

The City of Alexandria Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) is a multi-discipline, all-hazards plan that establishes a single, comprehensive framework for the management of major emergencies and disasters within the city. The EOP is implemented when it becomes necessary to mobilize resources in order to save lives and protect property and infrastructure. The EOP establishes the overall roles and responsibilities for emergency operations, as well as the concept of operations for the city. It is used in conjunction with established operational procedures, plans, and protocols. The development and maintenance of this plan and supporting plans is the basis of the local emergency management program. 

OEM also aligns its plans with several external plans including:

• The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Regional Emergency Coordination Plan (RECP): A structure where the National Capitol Region (NCR) can collaborate on planning, communication, information sharing, and coordination activities before, during, and after a regional emergency.

On June 13, 2023, the Alexandria City Council unanimously adopted the 2022 Northern Virginia Hazard Mitigation Plan (NOVA HMP) and City of Alexandria Annex. The NOVA HMP combines regional hazard identification and disaster resilience efforts through planning processes and related activities. The plan aims to reduce long-term vulnerability for the area. The City of Alexandria Annex highlights City-specific hazard, risk, and vulnerability information and serves as a foundation for developing effective and feasible mitigation actions.