Politics. On Point.

Virginia Gov. Robert McDonnell has issued a state of emergency for the commonwealth of Virginia. "The current forecast has Hurricane Earl passing east of Virginia later this week," said McDonnell. "However, a change in the storm's path could bring hazardous weather conditions to eastern Virginia. This declaration is a precautionary move which will allow state agencies to be ready just in case resources are needed." A hurricane watch means that hurricane conditions of winds greater than 73 mph are possible in the next 48 hours as officials keep a close eye on Earl, which has been downgraded to a Category 3 storm but is headed towards the East Coast.   The Washington, DC, metro area is not expected to be drastically affected. In Maryland, Gov. Martin O'Malley advised travelers not to drive to or from Ocean City during the height of stormy weather. O'Malley said Wednesday during a Board of Public Works meeting that Earl is tracking about 150 miles ...

With the hurricane season among us, FEMA is advising us all to take precaution now and heed any evacuation decisions made by state and local officials. Hurricanes and tropical storms frequently bring flash flooding as well. The National Weather Service forecasts the center of Hurricane Earl to move into the open Atlantic today, and travel east of the Turks and Caicos Islands later today and tonight. Although no watches or warnings are currently in effect for the mainland United States, history has shown that storm tracks can change quickly and unexpectedly. Officials are closely monitoring the areas from the Carolinas to New England, and FEMA is coordinating with the Governors and local officials along the East Coast to aggressively prepare for possible severe weather. Severe weather and flash floods can occur miles inland, and are possible even if a hurricane does not make landfall. FEMA has activated the National Response Coordination Center and its Regional Response Coord...