Last night Winter Storm Blair arrived in our region. It will stay with us throughout the day, additional snowfall is expected Monday night, and cleanup efforts will continue for days after. As much as a foot or more of snow is projected in some areas, and with temperatures climbing into the mid-30s during the day, there will likely be very icy conditions for a couple days.
A fresh snowstorm is expected to arrive this coming weekend, and while it is expected to be less severe, it will make cleanup and recovery more challenging. I'm sharing in this post a number of resources you can use to keep informed and stay safe for as long as these conditions last.
Fairfax County Public Schools
Fairfax County Public Schools are closed today, along with all extracurricular and recreational activities. For more information on when they will be open you can visit their website for up-to-date information.
Click here for Fairfax Schools current alerts
Virginia Department of Transportation
VDOT has been hard at work since before the storm arrived to prepare our roads and highways. However, VDOT is asking that Virginians do not travel today unless absolutely necessary, as dangerous driving conditions exist and are difficult to predict. While the capacity of our roads is limited, it is important that first responders be able to traverse them, as well as crews from VDOT and our utilities.
The Northern Virginia District has over 17,000 residential streets that VDOT needs to treat, so it may be some time before your neighborhood is cleared. To monitor road conditions you can visit 511.vdot.virginia.gov, download the VDOT mobile app, or call 511 from any phone in Virginia. VDOT also offers a real time VDOT Plows map where you can track their progress.
Public Transit
Metrobus will be offering limited service, with 42 of 193 bus routes operational. You can find specific information about available bus service at WMATA's Severe Snow Routes page. Metrorail is expected to continue operating without interruption, excepting a planned closure of the Archives rail station due to the funeral of President Jimmy Carter from January 6-9th. For up-to-date information as the storm progresses and cleanup continues visit MetroPulse.
Utility Service
The initial snowfall is just the beginning of the challenge this storm will present to our utilities. As snow melts, refreezes, and melts and refreezes again, the risk of downed powerlines continues.
If you are a Dominion customer and you lose power, there are three easy ways to report your outage and track your restoration time: 1) Dominion Energy mobile apps, iPhone [apps.apple.com] and Google [play.google.com]; 2) Dominion Energy website; or 3) Call 866-DOM-HELP (866-366-4357).
Customers of Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative can log into NOVEC SmartHub, call (703) 335-0500, or text "#OUT" to 85700.
If you witness a downed pole or power line, please stay a safe distance away and call 866-DOM-HELP.
Gas service is less likely to be impacted by the storm, but home heating is critical until the storm abates. Anyone experiencing service disruption should call 844-WASHGAS, and remember that you should NEVER use an oven or range top to heat your home. For other tips on preparedness and safety during wintry conditions visit their Winter Preparedness page.
Services for Unsheltered and Homeless
Fairfax County's Hypothermia Prevention Program, operating since 2005, offers extra resources for those struggling with homelessness during dangerous times such as this. Anyone seeking information about services can call (703) 222-0880 or one of these locations:
Katherine K. Hanley Family Shelter (12970 Katherine Hanley Court, Fairfax; 571-522-6800)Embry Rucker Community Shelter (11975 Bowman Town Drive, Reston; 703-437-1975)
Patrick Henry Family Shelter (3080 Patrick Henry Drive, Falls Church; 703-536-2155)
Next Steps Family Program (Various Locations Countywide; 703-360-1727)
Constituent Services
The scope of the legislative session is limited by the Constitution of Virginia, so only in the most severe weather conditions will we stop our work. Though many state offices are closed due to the weather, I am in Richmond at the General Assembly Building for committee meetings as we prepare to begin the Legislative Session on Wednesday. If you need assistance in contacting any of these needed government services during this ongoing wintry disruption, please do not hesitate to email my office at senatorsurovell@senate.virginia.gov.
