Dear Friends and Neighbors,

The snow was beautiful coming down  but not so fun to clean up.  Yesterday, the Governor held a conference call with the Virginia Department of Emergency Management and VDOT to discuss the process for digging out.  While it will be several days before things get back to normal, please know that VDOT crews, the State Police, the Virginia National Guard, and many others are working around the clock to make the roads accessible. 

Please check on your neighbors, especially our senior citizens, to make sure they have what they need and that they are safe.

As a service to my constituents, I want to pass along the following from VDOT regarding their snow removal plan.  Feel free to contact my office if you have special circumstances or if your street is not plowed in the timeframe outlined below.  Thanks for your patience. 

VDOT Explains Snow Removal Plan

The following is provided by the Virginia Department of Transportation  As crews work around the clock to keep main roads passable, VDOT asks Northern Virginia residents to be patient over the coming days.  Crews must concentrate on interstates and primary roads first, and will then begin to make inroads into subdivisions.

It will be Monday before crews begin to focus on subdivisions. It could take most of the week  especially with more snow expected Tuesday  to finish plowing neighborhoods in Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William counties.

VDOT reminds residents of the following:

• The main, more heavily traveled roads in a subdivision will be plowed first, to be followed by low- volume roads and cul-de-sacs.
• Plows will make one or two trips to provide a path through neighborhood streets, but they will not clear to bare pavement or from curb to curb.
• Because chemicals are not used in subdivisions, roads will remain snow packed and rutted after the plow has passed. Crews will put sand on hills, curves, and intersections as needed to provide traction.
• If planning to shovel their driveways, residents should refrain from clearing the last few feet at the curb until your street is plowed, as plows may push snow back into driveways. It also helps to shovel to the right as you face the road.
• VDOT does not remove snow from sidewalks or trails.
• VDOT plow drivers have assigned routes that include each and every state-maintained road in Northern Virginia.
• Call 911 if you have a medical emergency and need to leave your home.

If by Wednesday, residents have not seen a plow in their subdivision, they can call 703-383-VDOT or e- mail novainfo@vdot.virginia.gov with the location.  Photos are also welcomed. Crews will be dispatched to treat missed spots and problem areas.  For more information about Virginias efforts to prepare for winter weather and other emergencies, visit www.ReadyVirgini a.gov. The National Weather Service, Virginia Department of Emergency Management, Virginia Department of Social Services and other state agencies have created the Ready Virginia resource to provide residents and visitors with a one-stop shop for emergency preparedness tips and information.

Summary of Virginia Situation Report

The following information is taken from recent situation reports from VDOT and the Virginia Department of Emergency Management.

• The Governor declared a state of emergency Wednesday to enable state agencies to quickly assist local government response.
• The Virginia National Guard has approximately 500 personnel currently on state active duty.  VNG teams will assist local fire, law enforcement, and emergency medical services.
• 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.
• Sunday and Monday, crews and equipment finishing up snow removal in the Richmond and Hampton Roads areas will head to Northern Virginia to assist 1,900 trucks already plowing this hard-hit region.
• Customers across the state are experiencing wireless service disruptions.
• From midnight Friday through noon Saturday the Virginia State Police 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.
• Avoid overexertion during clean up.  Shoveling snow or pushing a car can bring on a heart attack or make other medical conditions worse.
• 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/.

Sincerely,


David Bulova