VA Storm Situation Report

Current situation:

Dominion Virginia Power and electric power cooperatives across Virginia are reporting approximately 182,000 power outages.  Crews are coming from out of state to assist with restoration efforts.

A severe winter weather system that entered the Commonwealth yesterday will continue through Saturday.  Western and Northern Virginia received the heaviest snow.

Snow and high winds will continue Saturday, bringing widespread power outages, mostly in northern and western parts of the state. Temperatures will drop through the day.

Road conditions, especially in the western and northern part of the state, are hazardous.  Stay off the roads.

Two people died Friday morning in Wythe County when a tractor-trailer lost control on I-81 and struck a vehicle and person stopped on the shoulder.

Customers across the state are experiencing wireless service disruptions.

The governor declared a state of emergency Wednesday to enable state agencies to quickly assist local government response.

State efforts:

The Virginia Department of Emergency Management is coordinating preparations at the state level, assessing resources.  VDEM continues to conduct conference calls among local governments, the National Weather Service and other state agencies.

Virginia Department of Transportation crews are fully mobilized and  responding to roadway impacts.

In anticipation of shelter operations support requests, the Virginia Baptists are preparing to conduct feeding operations at shelters.  In addition, food banks are moving supplies into position.

From midnight Friday through noon Saturday, in the past 36 hours Virginia State Police have responded to 1,323 traffic crashes and 1,216 disabled vehicles.  The seven State Police Emergency Communications Centers have fielded 3,167 calls for service and an additional 2,742 calls for information.  The Virginia Department of Forestry has several chainsaw crews on standby throughout the state to help with the restoration of critical infrastructure.

The Virginia National Guard has approximately 500 personnel currently on state active duty and staged in Charlottesville, Midlothian, Fredericksburg, Waynesboro, Swoope, Verona and the counties of Albemarle, Augusta, Culpeper, Fauquier, Frederick, Greene, Highland, Madison, Orange, Page County, Prince William and Stafford.  VNG teams will assist local fire, law enforcement and emergenc medical services. VNG Soldiers are not able to respond directly to citizen requests for assistance.

The Virginia Department of Health is coordinating with hospitals and local EMS.  No issues have been reported.

What the public should do:   Be aware of the current weather forecast for your area.  The National Weather Service provides local winter weather advisories, warnings and safety information at http://www.weather.gov.

Virginians should be prepared to take care of themselves for the first 72 hours of the storm.  Have food, water, a battery-powered radio, flashlight and extra batteries on hand.

Check on your neighbors, especially older Virginians, to make sure they have what they need and that they are safe.

Stay off the roads.  If you must drive, wear a seatbelt. Real-time road conditions are available by calling 5-1-1 or visiting http://511Virginia.org. If you lose power, call your power company to report it. Residents should dial 9-1-1 and #77 only in life-threatening emergencies.  These contact numbers should NOT be used to ask about road conditions, to report power outages, or what schools/businesses are closed.  Emergency numbers need to remain available for true emergencies where immediate rescue and assistance are needed.

211 and 211Virginia.org:  Through 211, the Virginia Department of Social Services can help residents seeking assistance for an elderly or disabled person who need information on warming shelters in the area who are concerned about an unsheltered individual or family at risk of hypothermia. When you dial 2-1-1, a trained professional will listen to your situation and suggest sources of help using one of the largest databases of health and human services in your community and statewide.  All referrals are confidential, and you can search for these same services on http://211virginia.org.

Avoid overexertion during clean up.  Shoveling snow or pushing a car can bring on a heart attack or make other medical conditions worse. Know the signs of a heart attack:  Chest discomfort.  Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain. Discomfort in other areas of the upper body.  Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.  Shortness of breath may occur with or without chest discomfort.  Other signs include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or light-headedness. Be careful using generators and space heaters.  Do not operate generators indoors.  Safety information is available at
http://www.ReadyVirginia.gov.

Shelters:  If you have lost power and need to go to a shelter, dial 2-1-1 for information about open shelters.  An updated list of open shelters is available at http://februarywinterstorm.tumblr.com/.

Local media will also carry information about open shelters.

Shelter information is also available online at www.211virginia.org:
   1. Statewide
   2. Disaster Services, then Disaster Relief planning
   3. Search: check the 2-10 Disaster Resources entry

Public shelters are a last resort and provide basic necessities such as food, water and a small amount of space for your family to stay. Most shelters do not provide items such as cots, bedding or items for infants or those who have special medical needs.  Relief organizations may provide some of these items after the storm has passed, but you should be prepared to provide these supplies for your family until help arrives. Listen for local, up-to-date information.  Emergency officials will provide information about open shelters through local media. Shelters can fill quickly, and officials will open new shelters as needed.  Before you leave, bring your pets inside and make sure they have food and water. 

Things to take to the shelter:  A three-day supply of special items for any elderly, disabled or infant members of your household. Copies of important documents, such as insurance policies and birth certificates that will help you claim assistance after the disaster.  Blankets, pillows, linens and something to sleep on, such as a cot, air mattress or cushion.

Transportation:

Mass Transit Metrorail in Washington, D.C. suspended above-ground operations and will run underground portions of the system only.

Metrobus in Washington, D.C. suspended service on all lines until further notice.

DC Circulator suspended all service for 6 February.

Amtrak – All southbound Northeast Regional trains are canceled between Washington and Richmond and Newport News.

Reagan, Dulles, Richmond, Lynchburg, Charlottesville-Albemarle, and Roanoke Airports are open with delays and  some cancelations.

Terrie L. Suit,
Assistant to the Governor for Commonwealth Preparedness