Winter Storm Watch for Wednesday, December 15: Here’s What You Need to Know

It’s that time of year again. Winter in Northern Virginia is often a surprising blend of chill winter weather and unseasonably warm temperatures. Occasionally, snow gets thrown into the mix. This Wednesday, we might be in for some potentially hazardous winter weather. Frozen mix precipitation is likely, and 2-4 inches of snow could accumulate in parts of the district. In light of this week’s forecast, I want to share some resources that you can use to ensure that you stay safe and informed during inclement weather.

Weather Updates 

Like with most weather forecasts, there’s a decent amount of uncertainty surrounding the conditions we might see on Wednesday. Some parts of the district might only get rain or freezing rain, while others might experience more severe forms of wintery participation. The National Weather Service is a great resource for monitoring weather conditions.

Click Here For Weather Forecast

School Closures

Fairfax County School buildings will be closed tomorrow but school will operate virtually.

Click Here For Fairfax School Closures

Important Resources

Dominion Resources Power Outage Line

1-866-366-4357

Dominion Resources Storm Center Outage and Restoration Updates

Northern Virginia Outages Map

VDOT Street Problem Number
1 (800) FOR-ROAD

VDOT REAL-TIME ONLINE PLOW MAP

Other Resources

Dominion

NOVEC

Washington Gas  

Fairfax County Police:   703-691-2131 

Prince William County:  703-792-6500
Stafford County:  540-658-4400

Winter Storm Guidance

Winter storms can range from freezing rain or ice, to a few hours of moderate snowfall, to a blizzard that lasts for several days. Many winter storms are accompanied by dangerously low temperatures, power outages and unpredictable road conditions.

Before, during and after a winter storm, roads and walkways may become extremely dangerous or impassable. Access to critical community services such as public transportation, child care, healthcare providers and schools may be limited. Preparing your home, car and family before cold weather and a winter storm arrives is critical.

• During a winter storm, stay off the roads as much as possible and only drive when absolutely necessary. Always give snow plows the right of way.
• Never use a generator, grill, camp stove or gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoal burning device inside your home, garage, basement, crawlspace or any other partially enclosed area.
• Snow shoveling is a known trigger for heart attacks! Always avoid overexertion when shoveling.
• When severe weather occurs, plan to check on elderly or disabled neighbors and relatives.
• If you must travel, know road conditions before you leave home. Visit 511Virginia.org or call 511 for road condition updates.
• Protect yourself from Frostbite! Hands, feet and face are the most commonly affected areas so wear a hat, mittens (which are warmer than gloves) and cover your mouth with a scarf to reduce heat loss.
• Keep dry! Change out of wet clothing frequently to prevent a loss of body heat.
• Wear several layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing rather than one layer or heavy clothing.

Snow Removal 

Due to COVID-19 restrictions that protect the safety of plow workers, it’s possible that plowing might take longer than usual this year. To track when your neighborhood will be plowed, visit the Virginia Department of Transportation’s (VDOT) plowing website, which activates after 2 inches of snow have accumulated in your county. If you live on a private street, it is the responsibility of the developers or the homeowner’s association to arrange for the street to be cleared. Call 800-FOR-Road (800-367-7623) for information on snow removal or to inform VDOT of any snow removal problems. TTY users can call 711.

While there’s no legal obligation to clear the sidewalk in front of your house, we rely on residents to help keep neighborhoods pedestrian-friendly during snowy winters. Now more than ever, we’re encouraging younger residents who are able to assist their elderly neighbors with clearing their residential sidewalks to do so in a safe and socially distanced manner. Preventing unnecessary hospitalizations due to icy conditions is especially important during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Remember to exercise caution when driving, stay home if you’re able to, and make sure you’re informed before leaving your home. The VDOT website provides guidelines for how to commute and travel safely during snowy and icy conditions. Again, if you’re able to shelter in place, that’s always the safest option.

If you live in Fairfax County, the Fairfax County Emergency Information site provides up-to-date information on the forecast and how the weather could be affecting road conditions, traffic, and public transportation. If you live in Prince William County, you can access updates on weather and traffic conditions on their emergency event information site. If you live in Prince William County, more weather-related resources and updates can be found on the county website.

Resources for Unsheltered and Homeless During COVID-19

Winter causes anxiety for the homeless. Shelters are facing unprecedented challenges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. They must reduce the number of guests allowed inside to limit virus exposure.  The economic challenges brought on by the coronavirus pandemic have caused increased unemployment.  Here is a list of resources in Fairfax and Prince William County that are providing accommodations to the homeless with safety measures in place.

Shelters in Fairfax County: 

Since 2005, the Hypothermia Prevention Program has prevented death and serious injuries among Fairfax County's most vulnerable residents by ensuring that no one must sleep outside during the winter months.

The Hypothermia Prevention Program shelters opened on Tuesday, December 1, 2020, and will remain available 24-hours a day, 7-days a week through the morning of April 1, 2021. Individual sites will have capacity limitations due to social distancing, but staff will work to ensure that everyone has access to accommodations at one of the county’s shelter locations:

Eleanor Kennedy Shelter
9155 Richmond Highway, Ft. Belvoir

Gerry Hyland Government Center, Suite 309
8350 Richmond Highway, Alexandria

Shelter locations are managed by New Hope Housing. For program-related information, please contact Jason Munoz at jmunoz@newhopehousing.org or Steven Lonon slonon@newhopehousing.org, or call 703-799-0200.

Shelters in Prince William County: 

The Overnight Shelter for adults is now located at the A. J. Ferlazzo Building Gymnasium

(15941 Donald Curtis Dr., Woodbridge) in order to maintain social distancing. It is open from 6:30

p.m. to 7 a.m. for 48 participants. Meals are provided, and showers are available. Transportation

is provided every day at 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. from the permanent location of the Overnight

Shelter to the Ferlazzo Gym; and at 6:45 a.m. from the Ferlazzo Gym to the Bill Mehr Drop-In

Center.

The Bill Mehr Drop-In Center is still operating at its permanent location, 14716 Potomac Mills

Road, Woodbridge, from 7 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., Monday through Saturday. To help maintain social

distancing, up to 10 participants are allowed into the center at one time. There is a waiting area

outside that provides shelter from the outdoor elements that also is set up to maintain social

distancing. Meals and self-serve laundry are available. Showers are available for those who were

not at the Overnight Shelter. 

For other types of service, such as Homeless Prevention & Diversion, Emergency Shelter, 

Rapid Re-Housing, and Permanent Supportive Housing, contact the CES at 703-792-3366.

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Stay warm, stay safe, and look out for your neighbors.