Winter Storm Preparation and Response

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 Latest Updates

All the ​​News Releases are posted to the right of this page.​​

The City has resumed normal operations. This means all facilities will remain open this evening until their regularly scheduled closing time.  All offices will open on Wednesday, January 11 at their regularly scheduled time.  

​Trash and recycling collections are suspended for Tuesday, January 10th.  As road conditions allow, trash and recycling collections will resume on Wednesday, January 11th, beginning with the Tuesday collection routes and continuing with each area until collections for the week are completed. Residents may anticipate collections extending into Saturday. 
Residents are asked to place their trash and recycling carts at the curb and leave them there until they are serviced. Collections may be slower than expected due to road conditions. 

Normal yard debris and bulk item collections are suspended for the week of January 9th and will resume next week.​

Last updated January 10, 2017  12:00

City Closings and Openings Announced

Trash/Recycling suspended on Tuesday; Voting polls in 17 precincts open from 6 a.m.-7 p.m.​

  • The Virginia Beach Animal Care and Adoption Center will be open until 3 p.m. for reclaims only.
  • Mount Trashmore Park will be closed all day on Tuesday, but other parks are open or from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Additional Operations​

  • For the Jan. 10, 2017 Special Election to fill a vacancy in the House of Delegates 85th House District, voting polls in 17 precincts will be open from 6 a.m.-7 p.m.
  • Early Childhood Programs at Williams Farm, Princess Anne, and Bow Creek will open at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 10 when the recreation centers open and close at their normal time.
  • Group fitness classes before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m. are canceled. Please call ahead and check with each center regarding classes during the day.​

The status of city services, facilities and emergency information can be found at:

  • www.vbgov.com/winter-storm
  • The City's VBTV Channels: Cox Cable 46, 47 & 48; Verizon Cable 45, 46 & 47; Cavalier Cable 117, 118 & 119

Last updated January 8, 2017 6:30 p.m.​​​

Public Meeting About Proposed Atlantic Ave. Realignment Postponed until Thursday, Jan. 12

Other Closings and Schedule Changes for Mon, Jan 9.

​The informal community meeting about the proposed realignment of Atlantic Avenue at 40th and Pacific originally scheduled for Monday, Jan 9 has been rescheduled for Thursday, Jan. 12. It will be held at the same location -- Suite 2 of the Virginia Beach Convention Center, 1000 19th Street -- and same time -- 6:30 - 8:30 pm. 

"Even though city offices will be open Monday, it may still be difficult for some people to travel around the city," said City Manager Dave Hansen. "We want to accommodate people who want to attend." 

People will have the opportunity to review the plans, get answers to questions, and provide feedback and comments. Under the proposal, Atlantic Avenue would be closed between 40th Street and Pacific Avenue to improve traffic flow, create green space and parking options to support the historic Cavalier and other properties in the area. Drivers would use 40th Street to connect between Atlantic and Pacific. 

In addition, TCC is closed tomorrow so the Joint-Use Library is also closed. The Wahab Law Library is also closed tomorrow.  

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​Operation Blessing Snow Buddies are assisting people who do not have the resources to shovel snow and need assistance. Elderly citizens, people with disabilities and their caregivers, pregnant wives of deployed active-duty military, single moms and residents needing to make it to medical appointments may call Operation Blessing at 757-274-8650.

Operation Blessing Snow Buddies volunteers are needed. Operation Blessing will provide snow shovels, tools, work coordination, lunch and an Operation Blessing t-shirt. Call 757-374-0944 to volunteer.

For detailed information, review the City's Snow Removal Plan, which includes maps that identify roadways that will be cleared and treated.  

Emergency preparedness information is available at www.VBgov.com/beprepared.

For up-to-date storm information, please visit www.vbgov.com/winter-storm, follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CityofVaBeach and Twitter http://twitter.com/cityofvabeach, or call VB311 Citizen Services by dialing 311 on landlines within the city limits, (757) 385-3111 by cell phone, or visit www.VBgov.com for online assistance.  ​

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 Snow Removal
​​​​Operation Snow Buddies​​ 
If you or someone you know is elderly or physically challenged and may have difficulty clearing snow from driveways or sidewalks, contact Operation Blessing. They've recruited eager, young volunteers to help! Call 757-274-8650 or stop by 977 Centerville Turnpike in person to fill out a work request.

If you'd like to volunteer for Snow Buddies, meet in the CBN parking lot at 977 Centerville Turnpike at either 8:30 a.m. or 1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 8 or Monday, Jan. 9. Volunteers should call 757-374-0944.
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​​​Streets/Roadways
The City does not treat or clean residential streets. If you need assistance shoveling snow from your home, driveway and/or residential area and do not have the resources to accomplish this yourself, we invite you to call for volunteer assistance.​

The Department of Public Works maintains the city's official snow removal plan​. This plan includes maps that identify roadways that will be cleared and treated.​

 Safety Tips
​Hurricane Matthew demonstrated the importance of being prepared for all types of weather and disasters. It’s especially important during the winter to be prepared for prolonged power outages and freezing temperatures. Plan to weather any winter emergencies by preparing now. 

cell phone charging with portable batteryHome Safety

  • First, make sure you have an alternative heat source available in case you lose power. If you have a working fireplace, have it checked by a qualified professional to clean and inspect your chimney and vents every year. Maintain an adequate supply of wood for your fireplace or fuel for your generator or kerosene heater. If you use a generator, make sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Remember to place the generator outside in a well-ventilated area. Do not put your generator in the garage or in a closed space.       
  • Charge all your devices (phone, tablets, etc.). Invest in a battery-operated charger and have a car charger that you can use in case you lose power in your home. 
  • Make an emergency supply kit​ that will last at least 72 hours (3-days) and includes: non-perishable foods, lanterns, flashlight, spare batteries, battery-powered radio, first-aid kit, three-gallons of water for each person and extra prescription medications. Create a kit especially for seniors, children, persons with special needs and your pets.       
  • Check on elderly neighbors and relatives. Children and the elderly are especially susceptible to hypothermia — even inside their homes.       
  • Protect your pipes from freezing and bursting. With a little preparation now, you can prevent burst pipes and avoid costly repairs. 
    • ​Insulate any exposed pipes in your home's crawl spaces, attic and outside walls.
    • Seal leaks that allow cold air inside your home near exposed pipes. Disconnect garden hoses and drain outdoor pipes. 
    • Turn the supply valve off and cover the exposed pipe(s) and faucet(s) with insulation.
    • Know where the water turn-off valve is at the street.
  • Keep driveways and sidewalks clear to prevent injuries from falls on slippery surfaces.     ​

Vehicle Safety

  • Winterize your car by having a mechanic check your battery, wipers, fluids (oil, antifreeze and windshield washer cleaner) and thermostat. 
  • Make sure your tires are property inflated and have a good tread for traction to drive in snow. Keep a full tank of gas.  
    • Keep a full tank of gas.
    • ​Keep an emergency supply kit in each of your cars that includes: a shovel, an ice scraper, battery cables, tow chain, bag of sand or kitty litter for traction, blanket, flashlight, first-aid kit, cell phone charger, and some non-perishable food and bottled water.
    • If you get stranded in a snowstorm, stay in your car. Don't seek shelter or a telephone unless you see one nearby. 
    • For heat, turn on the car engine for brief periods, but make sure your exhaust pipe is clear of snow to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.                         
Have a plan to communicate with members of your family. Create a plan and make sure every family member has a copy and knows what to do.

Stay informed. Keep aware of emergency messaging by local officials posted on VBgov.com, Facebook.com/CityofVaBeach/, Twitter.com/CityofVaBeach and VBTV. Also, tune into your local TV and radio stations. 

For more information about winter weather preparedness, visit VBgov.com/beprepared, Ready.gov​ and VAemergency.com.       ​

 Resources

Winter Shelter for Homeless

homeless woman with blanket

Shelter for homeless adults is available through the city's Winter Shelter program. Homeless adults in need of overnight shelter Friday through Sunday, Jan. 6-8, need to check in at the Lighthouse Day Support Services Center, 825 18th St., on Friday, Jan. 6, between 5 and 7 p.m. Space is limited. Participants will shelter in place at the participating church through Sunday night. Participants will be dropped off at the Lighthouse Day Support Services Center Monday morning, Jan. 9.

Families with children experiencing homelessness or those at risk of becoming homeless should call the Regional Housing Crisis Hotline at (757) 227-5932.

The Lighthouse Day Support Services Center will not be open this weekend. The center will open on Monday, Jan. 9. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 7:15 a.m. to 5 p.m. Day support services end at 3:30 p.m. The Lighthouse Day Support Services Center can be reached at (757) 385-5160.​

​Operation Snow Buddies

If you or someone you know is elderly or physically challenged and may have difficulty clearing snow from driveways or sidewalks, contact Operation Blessing. They’ve recruited eager, young volunteers to help! Call 757-274-8650 or stop by 977 Centerville Turnpike in person to fill out a work request.

If you’d like to volunteer for Snow Buddies, meet in the CBN parking lot at 977 Centerville Turnpike at either 8:30 a.m. or 1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 8 or Monday, Jan. 9. Volunteers should call 757-374-0944.​

SnowBuddies Message​​​
Contact Information

 Emergency Contact Information

The city provides contact information​ for critical city services, non-city services, as well as other emergency information communication methods.

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News Releases