February Winter Storm

Virginia Department of Military Affairs wraps up support missions for historic winter storm

RICHMOND, Va. —The Virginia Department of Military Affairs expects to have its active snow recovery missions closed out by late afternoon Feb. 12 and will shift focus to safely returning Soldiers to their home station. The DMA has been assisting state and local emergency services organizations respond to the historic winter snowstorm that blanketed Virginia since Gov. Bob McDonnell declared a state of emergency Feb. 3. 

“We have been released from all of our active missions, and now we need to make sure we get our Soldiers, Airmen and members of the Virginia Defense Force back to their home station safely,” said Col. Rob McMillin, Virginia National Guard joint operations officer. 

The Guard stood down the Joint Task Force 91 command and control headquarter around noon, and finalized their planning for personnel to travel back to home station. Some units have been operating near their home readiness center and will be able to return home quickly, but Soldiers operating in Fairfax County will be returning on Saturday to home stations in Danville, Sandston, Norfolk and Hampton. 

The Guard executed more than 65 missions from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management in Winchester, Harrisonburg, Staunton, Charlottesville, Fredericksburg, Warrenton, Leesburg, Fairfax County and Alexandria. During the peak of operations, there were almost 700 Soldiers, Airmen and members of the Virginia Defense Force on duty. 

Virginia Guard Soldiers assisted state and local emergency services organizations by conducting a variety of missions ranging from transporting emergency services personnel, transporting citizens for medical assistance or shelter and recovering stuck emergency vehicles. Many Soldiers have been co-located with fire and rescue personnel where they have put out car fires, cleared debris and transporting patients.  

With the possibility of more winter weather on the way, McMillin said the Guard has made a tentative plan for how it would respond and begun initial preparations in case the call comes from the Governor. 

“One of our biggest lessons learned from the winter storm in December is to get our people in the right place before the weather hits,” McMillin said. “We were very successful in getting our people to the right place with these latest storms, and if we get the call again, we want to make sure we are ready.” 

The Virginia Department of Military Affairs plans, coordinates, maintains situational awareness and employ forces for homeland security and homeland defense in order to respond to any incidents with the Commonwealth.  On order of the Governor, the Department of Military Affairs will provide capabilities to assist civil authorities in protecting life and property, preserving peace, order and public safety.  The Virginia Defense Force, the Virginia Air National Guard and the Virginia Army National Guard all fall under the Virginia Department of Military Affairs. 

Related Stories:DMA repositions personnel, equipment for possible future winter storm-related missions (Feb. 7) http://vko.va.ngb.army.mil/VirginiaGuard/news/feb10/snowduty3.html Virginia Department of Military Affairs personnel ready for snow duty (Feb. 5) http://vko.va.ngb.army.mil/VirginiaGuard/news/feb10/snowduty2.html Virginia Department of Military Affairs staging personnel for possible snow duty (Feb. 4)http://vko.va.ngb.army.mil/VirginiaGuard/news/feb10/snowduty1.html

January 2010 winter storm wrap up: http://vko.va.ngb.army.mil/VirginiaGuard/news/jan10/jan29sad.html

December 2009 winter storm wrap up: http://vko.va.ngb.army.mil/VirginiaGuard/news/jan10/stormwrapup.html

Photos from December 2009 snow duty: http://www.flickr.com/photos/vaguardpao/sets/72157622903254321/detail/ 

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McDonnell Updates VDOT Snow Removal Progress in Northern Virginia

Governor Directed Additional Equipment to Area to Speed Recovery

Encourages Residents to Email VDOT at novainfo@vdot.virginia.gov to Report Any Dangerous Local Conditions 

RICHMOND – Governor Bob McDonnell today updated the progress made by the Virginia Department of Transportation in responding to the historic back-to-back snowstorms that struck Northern Virginia in a period of just 6 days.

The Governor noted, “In response to the record-breaking storms which have impacted the region, I ordered VDOT to send additional equipment to assist with snow removal in Northern Virginia.  VDOT has made significant progress toward making every state-maintained road in the region passable and safe for travelers. I want to thank our VDOT employees, and all employees of state agencies involved in the recovery from this historic series of winter storms, for their work over the past few weeks. That work will continue unimpeded and without any delay until all roads are back to normal.”

Following last weekend’s 30-inch storm, VDOT had made one pass through about 90 percent of its 9,000 lane miles of subdivision streets in Northern Virginia, leaving 875 of lane miles unplowed when the second storm hit Tuesday. VDOT relocated additional snow plows, motor graders and front-end loaders from other areas of the state to speed VDOT’s response to the storm. This enabled crews to continue making progress in subdivisions throughout the second storm’s blizzard conditions.

As of Friday afternoon, VDOT estimates that approximately two-thirds of the 875 remaining subdivision lane miles have been made passable. Crews plan to revisit all northern Virginia subdivision streets by Sunday night to ensure that they are passable for traffic.

Interstates are in excellent condition and are cleared down to bare pavement, but crews continue to haul snow from shoulders and ramp areas. High-volume roads such as routes 1, 7, 28, 50 and Prince William and Fairfax County Parkways are mostly bare pavement, but motorists need to use caution as snow-packed medians, shoulders and lane drops may remain.

Salt supplies are being replenished continually and equipment is holding up well.

Residents who need to report dangerous conditions on neighborhood streets should send the address, subdivision and county to novainfo@vdot.virginia.gov. They can also call 703-383-VDOT (8368) or 1-800-367-ROAD (7623).

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10 a.m. Shelter update

All shelters have closed.

For more information, dial 2-1-1.
Through 211, the Virginia Department of Social Services can help residents

* seeking assistance for an elderly or disabled person during the storm
* who need information on warming shelters in the area
* who are concerned about an unsheltered individual or family at risk of hypothermia.

9:58: a.m. Update: VDOT FOCUSES EMERGENCY CREWS IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA

More than 200 extra pieces of equipment already in area, 50 more dispatched today

RICHMOND — Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) crews in northern Virginia and the northern Shenandoah Valley are getting assistance battling the fourth winter snowstorm to befall the area in the last two weeks.

Additional VDOT crews from Hampton Roads, Richmond, Lynchburg and Salem were dispatched early this week to assist with removal of more than 30 inches of snow that accumulated this past weekend. Now that the mid-week storm has passed out of most areas of the commonwealth, VDOT is deploying more than 50 additional state and contract pieces of equipment and operators to northern Virginia today to assist with cleanup efforts.

“Over the last two weeks, our crews statewide have been working around the clock to clean up from these major storms and to get roadways passable as soon as possible after these storms end,” said Gregory Whirley, acting commissioner. “No area has been hit harder with record snowfall and difficult conditions than northern Virginia and the northern Shenandoah Valley. That is why, at the specific direction of Gov. Bob McDonnell, we are deploying even more equipment from other areas in the state to help dig out these regions.”

Crews in northern Virginia are having an especially challenging time reaching subdivision streets and secondary roads. The large pickup trucks VDOT uses to clear snow from a typical four- to six-inch storm cannot handle the deep snow still blanketing some neighborhoods. Additional larger trucks and front-end loaders have been brought in to clear subdivision and side streets.

Significant progress had been made through Tuesday to clear subdivisions streets from last weekend’s storm, but crews had not reached every neighborhood. Snow removal equipment was recalled to clear higher traffic roads Tuesday and Wednesday, and will return to subdivision streets as soon as possible.

Additional resources from other regions of the state, and the Virginia National Guard will assist with making subdivision streets passable as soon as possible after today’s blizzard conditions subside. VDOT asks motorists to be patient as crews are doing everything possible to remove record amounts of snow from the region’s highways.

VDOT also warns motorists in Northern Virginia that conditions remain treacherous and travel should be avoided if at all possible until road conditions improve.

Motorist Resources

VDOT has a variety of information sources for road condition updates. The 511 traveler-information service gives drivers the most up-to-date data available about weather, construction and accidents that may affect travel. Updates can be received by calling 511 from any landline or wireless phone or by going online to www.511virginia.org to view traffic cameras, the road condition map and the road condition table-report.

For overall winter weather information, VDOT’s Web site includes frequently asked questions, driving tips and tools for motorists to learn more about VDOT’s winter preparedness at http://www.virginiadot.org/travel/snow.asp. Drivers can also view videos detailing how VDOT prepares for winter weather and address snow and ice on You Tube at http://www.youtube.com/user/vdotweb#grid/user/84A0942814F2FECC

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5:37 p.m. Update: Virginia State Police Activity Report

Between 8 a.m. Tuesday and 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Virginia State Police statewide have responded to 2,154 calls for service to include 805 traffic crashes and 769 disabled vehicles. The seven State Police Emergency Communications Centers also fielded 2,703 calls from the public for information.

There have been no weather-related traffic fatalities reported during this time period. The majority of crashes involve damaged vehicles only.

Please note that the series of crashes along Interstate 64 in the James City County and Newport News area did not involve “hundreds of vehicles” or a “50-vehicle pile up” as erroneously reported by various media today. There were a series of traffic crashes and disabled vehicles along that stretch of interstate in both directions. The westbound lanes of Interstate 64 were re-opened by 2:30 p.m. Wednesday. The majority of incidents involved damaged-vehicles only and only a few minor injuries.

Drivers are advised to be extra careful tonight as roads will refreeze with the drop in temperatures. In addition, the high winds may cause the drifting of snow across roadways, especially in Northern and western Virginia.

4:49 p.m. Update: IMPROVED CONDITIONS IN THE FREDERICKSBURG DISTRICT

Motorists should be alert to blowing snow and icy conditions tonight and early morning  

FREDERICKSBURG (4:45 p.m.) – Road conditions have improved in the 14 county Fredericksburg district, however, motorists should continue to use extreme caution when traveling overnight and tomorrow morning. 

High winds will continue throughout the evening hours causing blowing and drifting snow that could impact driver visibility.   In addition, freezing temperatures will result in icy conditions especially on bridges, overpasses and ramps.

The following road conditions are reported in the Fredericksburg district:

·       Interstate 95 is reported as clear. 

·       Primary and major secondary routes are reported to be in minor to moderate condition.  Which means there may be patches of ice and snow on the roadway especially on bridge, overpasses, and ramps. 

·       Low volume secondary routes and subdivision streets are in moderate to severe condition.   

For road condition updates call 511 or visit www.511virginia.org .

Road Condition Definitions

Closed – Roadway is closed; impassable

Severe – Significant accumulations of snow or ice blocking the roadway; conditions are hazardous

Moderate – Snow or ice covering a major portion of the roadway; passable with caution

Minor – Advisory, potential for icy patches or snow on roadway; passable with caution 

The following counties are included in the Fredericksburg District: Fredericksburg Area (Stafford, Spotsylvania, King George); Caroline County Area (Caroline, Essex, King William); Northern Neck (Westmoreland, Richmond, Northumberland, Lancaster); and Middle Peninsula (King and Queen, Mathews, Gloucester, Middlesex)

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2:35 p.m. Update:

A snow emergency has been declared for Fairfax County.  All roads designated with signs as a “snow emergency route” are now being enforced – it is unlawful to park any vehicle on a snow emergency route or to impede traffic in a vehicle that is not equipped with snow tires or chains.  The Fairfax County Police Department will remove a vehicle that is stalled, stuck, parked or abandoned on a snow emergency route.  The owner or operator of a vehicle that is moved will be responsible for the towing fee, as well as a fine of $25.

1:57 p.m. Update:

Interstate 81 northbound is closed at the Pennsylvania border because of hazardous travel conditions.

11:03 a.m. Update

A blizzard warning has been issued for Grayson County thru 1 p.m. Thursday. Gusty winds will produce blowing and drifting snow with wind chills near 5 below zero.

Snowfall is expected to be 4 to 8 inches along the higher western slopes to 2 inches in the eastern sections.

9:58 a.m. Update:

From the National Weather Service for WEST and SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA east to the PIEDMONT - Snow, primarily on the western slopes of the mountains west of I-81, will accumulate up to 8 inches. East of I-81, conditions will be mainly dry. However, strong winds, with gusts as high as 55 to 65 mph, can be expected. This could cause trees and possibly power lines to come down, and result in some power outages