VB prepares for hurricane season

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) - Emergency management crews in Virginia Beach are keeping a close eye on Tropical Storm Isaac as it approaches the U.S.

Deputy coordinator for the City of Virginia Beach emergency management Mark Marchbank says close to two dozen key city departments huddle in one room to anticipate conditions and make sure the city's response will be appropriate if disaster strikes.

"That required coordination of not only the city but the agencies outside the city as well as the community, the state and the federal government [is important]," Marchbank said.

Marchbank told WAVY.com major hurricanes are challenging in a multitude of ways.

"We have to be prepared when the big storm comes," Marchbank said. "We go out on the edge and make some decisions. It might be a nice day out there, so we try to convince people they need to evacuate and make preparations."