Hurricane Florence Approaching East Coast (UPDATES BELOW)

A powerful hurricane is on track to hit the east coast this weekend bringing heavy rain to our region.

Monitor your local news sources for the latest weather conditions, and check the  National Weather Service  for up-to-date information.

Here are couple important tips, websites and numbers to keep you safe:

Powerful Nor’Easter Moving Through 36th District (UPDATES AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST)

A powerful wind storm is causing damage across Northern Virginia and the 36th District. 

Dominion reported that 224,000 customers were without power this morning.

Here are couple important tips, websites and numbers to keep you safe:

Winter Storm Stella Advisory!

Winter Storm Stella is bearing down on the 36th District.  Here are couple important tips, websites and numbers to keep you safe, warm and dry:

• Monitor your local news sources for the latest weather conditions, and check the  National Weather Service  for up-to-date storm information.
• Prepare your home for winter weather conditions by closing all windows and doors as well as ensuring all lose items (furniture, children's toys, etc.) outside your residence are secured or brought inside.
• Stay off the roads, if at all possible.
• If you must drive, do so slowly and carefully, give yourself extra time to reach your destination, and leave plenty of driving room between you and the vehicle ahead of you.  Before getting on the roads, do the following:
  • Call 800-FOR-ROAD (800-367-7623) to report road hazards or ask road-related questions at VDOT's 24-hour Customer Service Center.
  • Call 511, go to www.511virginia.org or download the 511 mobile app to get the latest road condition information.
  • Prepare for winter driving conditions by having an emergency kit in your vehicle.
• Have all of your utility account information, additional light sources,  and supplies to keep you warm on hand, in case of power outages.

  Additionally, please use the link and the numbers provided below to stay up-to-date on the road conditions or to report any power outages and road blocks:

Dominion Resources Power Outage Line

1-866-366-4357

Dominion Resources Storm Center Outage and
Restoration Updates

Northern Virginia Outages Map

VDOT Online Up-to-date Winter Storm Information,
Plowing Map and Road Issue Contact Number
Northern Virginia Snow Information/Status

VDOT Plowing Map

call 1-800-FOR-ROAD (367-7623) to report road issues

Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative 
1-888-335-0500

Washington Gas
1-800-752-7520

Columbia Gas
1-800-544-5606

Verizon Wireless
1-800-837-4966

Cox Communications

1-800-961-0027

Also, if you have any problems, you can always contact my office at 571.249.4484.  Stay safe!

***Additional Updates Will Be Posted***

VDOT's Response on January 20 Storm Preparation

On January 20, 2016 (before the major storm), a small storm brought Northern Virginia's evening rush hour to a halt.  I received a series of emails from constituents stuck on U.S. 1 whose 30 minutes commutes turned into three hours.

Below is correspondence I wrote to VDOT and VDOT's response.  Please let me know if you have any feedback!

Surovell-Cuervo Correspondence Regarding January 2016 Weather

Major Storm and Rescheduled Town Hall Information

***UPDATE Sunday, 1/24/16 5:00 P.M.***

VDOT advises that they are now moving into cleaning up the 16,000 neighborhood streets in Northern Virginia that are impacted.

Here's a video from VDOT on how to properly clear your driveway to avoid having to shovel a second time.

***UPDATE Sunday, 1/24/16 3:00 P.M.***

We just got off a telephone conference with the Governor's staff who is the Emergency Command Center.

• Virginia is still in response operations. 
• All snow moved out as of midnight.  No snow accumulation is projected for next 72 hours.  Temperature is rising.  There is a limited spotty icing forecast. 
• Please stay off the roads for another day or two unless you absolutely have to get out.
• Please be careful outside.  EMT's will be very busy with broken arms, wrist, legs, etc. in this kind of weather.
• There have been five fatalities relating to the storm.  Some from crashes and some exertion related heart attacks.
• VDOT is still reporting 900 roadways impacted. 
• Dulles and National Airports are still closed to flights.  Richmond Airport is opening today. 
• All Amtrak service is closed.  There's limited service going north to Boston.
• D.C. Metro remains closed.
• Power companies are reporting only 738 customers out of power.  We are well below average and were very fortunate with this storm.
• State Police have responded to 6,800 incidents since this started.  1,400 traffic accidents and 2,000 disabled vehicles.
• National Guard is out on 29 active missions.  They will probably be active through Tuesday. 
• Down to 30 local states of emergency. 
• Over a dozen localities hit record-high snow falls and we might be eligible for a Presidential Disaster Declaration.
• There have been 25 confirmed structural collapses around the state including the Redskins practice bubble in Ashburn and most serious is an apartment in Prince William County that displaced 55 people, and an elderly home in Fairfax County.

Hurricane Joaquin Storm Information

The National Weather Service issued a flood warning for Northern Virginia due to the approach of Hurricane Joaquin. 

 

We are expected to receive heavy rain over the next three days as shown on the right. 

The path of the storm is still highly uncertain given existing weather patterns so please continue to monitor events.

The following information should help you prepare for the storm:  

March 5, 2015 Storm Update

The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning, until 9 p.m. this evening for Northern Virginia. They expect the storm to dump 4-8 inches  of snow on the Mount Vernon area.
I have cut and pasted an excerpt from the Weather Underground's forecast as of 10:50 a.m. on the right.  You can click on it to enlarge.

The following information should help you prepare for the storm:
 

February, 2015 Winter Storm Information

Weather Underground Forecast as of 10:20 p.m.

The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning, from 4 p.m. Monday February 16th to noon on February 17th for Northern Virginia. They expect the storm to dump 4 or more inches of snow and sleet on the Mount Vernon area. Snowfall is expected to begin on Monday afternoon and could become heavy at times.

I have cut and pasted an excerpt from the Weather Underground's forecast as of 10:20 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 15 on the right.  You can click on it to enlarge.

Although I am in Richmond for the General Assembly Session and we will remain in session during the storm, my staff will be available to deal with problems and I will continue to post updates about outages and other information as it is available. 

The following information should help you prepare for the storm:

WINTER STORM UPDATE

The impending storm is supposed to affect Northern Virginia beginning Wednesday night, bringing a dangerous combination of snow and ice.

I will update information here as it becomes available.

The National Weather Service issued a winter storm watch, from 7 p.m. February 12th to 10 p.m. February 13 for Northern Virginia. They expect the storm to dump 5 or more inches of snow and sleet on the Mount Vernon area. Snowfall is expected to begin on Wednesday evening and could become heavy at times. The NWS also forcasts winds in excess of 15-25 mph, with gusts around 35 mph.

The following information should help you prepare for the storm:

UPDATED 7/3/12 1:30 PM: NOVA Power Outage Information - 6/29/12-7/3/12

As of midnight, there are currently over 450,000 households without power in the Northern Virginia Area and widespread power outtages in the 44th District (including your state delegate's house).  This is over one-half of all households in Northern Virginia.

If you have a power outtage, please report it to Dominion and sit tight. 
You can reach them and view up to the minute outage information on the links below.

Sales Tax Holiday #1: Emergency Preparedness

Yesterday marked the start of a week long sales tax (5%) holiday on emergency preparedness equipment. As we watch parts of the Commonwealth and the nation recover from severe weather, we should make sure we're ready to cope with hurricane season and other natural disasters.

Until next Tuesday May 31, many emergency preparedness items, including flashlights, first aid kits and bottled water are exempt from Virginia Sales Tax. The list can be found on the Department of Taxation website.

List of Tax Exempt Emergency Preparedness Products

This weekend is the time to buy batteries, bottled water, flash lights, portable generators, cell phone chargers, bungee cords, and tarpaulins.

There are two other scheduled sales tax holidays this year- for school supplies(in August) and for energy and water efficient products(in October). I'll be sure to mention them as they approach.

Snowpocalypse Help

Another day, another Winter Storm Warning. Here is the latest. We haven't seen anything like this since 1979. The General Assembly session was cancelled on Friday for the first time in anyone's memory. With VDOT's budget already stretched thin and our school's winter snow days exhausted, we will be dealing with the consequences for some time.

Here is information regarding problems with electricity service.

Dominion Resources Power Outage Line

888.667.3000

Dominion Resources Storm Center
Service Restoration Updates

Northern Virginia Outages Map

If your street has not been plowed yet, please call my Legislative Aide, Christopher Bea, at 804.698.1044 and we will call VDOT to see what the status is on your street.

I have also begun discussions with elected officials down here about legislatively shortening the mandated school year so that school does not extend into July. We will keep you posted.

UPDATE: Michael & Son is offering free snow removal service for area residents over 65. Please contact them at 800.948.6453 if you are over 65 and need assistance with snow removal.