Winter Storm Preparation and Response :: VBgov.com

Winter Storm Preparation and Response

Latest Updates

Winter Storm #2-05 –4:45 p.m.

Updated Cancellations and Closings for Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach, VA – Jan. 17, 2018 - The City of Virginia Beach has announced additional cancellations and closings in light of impending weather conditions.

Cancellations for Wednesday, Jan. 17

· All after-school activities and events are canceled today at Virginia Beach City Public Schools facilities.

· Inmate Visitation has been canceled for tonight.

· The Planning Commission Workshop on Short-Term Rentals, which was scheduled to take place today at 5 p.m., has been canceled.

· The Sea Level Rise/Recurrent Flooding Interactive Public Engagement Meeting, which was scheduled to take place today at 6 p.m. at Landstown High School, has been canceled and will be rescheduled. This meeting was for watersheds 12, 13, 14, and 15 in the Stumpy Lake/North Landing River area.

· The Foster Parent Information Session scheduled for tonight has been canceled and rescheduled to Jan. 22, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

· The Virginia Beach Police Department's Youth Police Academy is canceled this evening.

· All Virginia Beach Emergency Medical Services training classes scheduled for today have been canceled.

· The Virginia Aquarium Boat Trip, which was scheduled to take place today at 2 p.m., was canceled.

Closings for Wednesday, Jan. 17

· The Commonwealth's Attorney's Office closed at 1 p.m. today.

· As Tidewater Community College closed at noon today, the TCC/City Joint-Use Library closed at noon today also.

Cancellations for Thursday, Jan. 18

· The Thursday, Jan. 18 meeting of the Interfaith Alliance at the Beach, which is coordinated by the Virginia Beach Department of Human Services, has been canceled.

· The Bayfront Advisory Commission Meeting scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 18 has been canceled. Meetings are normally held at 3:30 p.m., on the third Thursday of each month, at the Virginia Beach Resort and Conference Center.

· The Virginia Aquarium Boat Trip for Thursday, Jan. 18 has been canceled.

We will keep you informed. Keep aware of emergency messaging by local officials posted on VBgov.com, Facebook.com/CityofVaBeach, Twitter.com/CityofVaBeach, Nextdoor.com and VBTV. Also, tune into your local TV and radio stations. Please remember to call 911 for true emergencies only. For other inquiries 24/7, please call 385-5000 for non-emergencies and 311 for City information.

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Snow Removal

Streets/Roadways

The City does not treat or clean residential streets. 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.

Home 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

Overnight shelter for adults experiencing homelessness is available through the city's Winter Shelter program. The program provides homeless individuals with a place to sleep each night at various faith organizations throughout Virginia Beach.

Homeless adults in need of overnight shelter need to check in at the Lighthouse Day Support Services Center, 825 18th St., between 5 and 7 p.m. each night. Shelter space is limited and is provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Each individual is allowed to bring one bag that is able to fit underneath their seat on the bus or on their lap. Participants are dropped off at the Lighthouse Center each morning at 6:30 a.m.

Participating faith organizations rotate weekly until April to provide overnight shelter and meals. Some organizations may also provide additional support and resources, such as toiletries, clothing and medical care.

The Judeo-Christian Outreach Center, under a contract with the Department of Housing and Neighborhood Preservation, operates the Winter Shelter program and provides participants with transportation from the Lighthouse Center to the faith organizations.

For more information about the Winter Shelter program, contact Pam Shine at (757) 385-5761.

Families with children experiencing homelessness or who are at-risk should call the Regional Housing Crisis Hotline at (757) 227-5932 to access the city's homeless prevention and services system.

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.