General County News
Thursday, February 18, 2021
Albemarle County Office Buildings will reopen for limited lobby and drop-off services at 10 am on Friday, February 19
Public Safety and virtual services will not be disrupted

Due to forecasted inclement weather and expected road conditions, Albemarle County Office Buildings at McIntire and 5th Street will operate on a delayed opening schedule. Limited lobby and drop-off services will resume at 10 am on Friday, February 19. Virtual service delivery will not be disrupted.

Please visit our website for online service or call us, 434-243-7929, to request assistance by phone. You can call departments directly at the numbers listed below.
Board of Supervisors: 434-296-5843
County Attorney: 434-972-4067
County Executive: 434-296-5841
Community Development: 434-296-5832
Facilities & Environmental Services: 434-296-5816
Finance: 434-296-5851
Fire Rescue: 434-296-5833
Human Resources 434-296-5827
IT: 434-296-5814
Parks & Recreation: 434-296-5844
Police: 434-296-5807
Social Services: 434-972-4010
Voter Registration: 434-972-4173
Be Prepared

  • Make sure your house number can be seen from the street.
  • Have enough supplies for your household, include medication, disinfectant supplies, pet supplies, and food.
  • Keep your cell phone charged.
  • Check with neighbors, senior adults, and those who may need additional help to see how you can be of assistance.
  • Follow official social channels for accurate information. Some examples are:
  • County of Albemarle
  • Police Department
  • Fire Rescue Department
  • City of Charlottesville
  • Police Department
  • Fire Department
  • Charlottesville-Albemarle Emergency Communications Center
  • Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM)
  • Virginia State Police
  • National Weather Service
  • Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Stay Warm, Safely

  • Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment, like a furnace, fireplace, woodstove, or portable space heater.
  • Have a three-foot “kid-free zone” around open fires and space heaters.
  • Never use your oven to heat your home.
  • Have your heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional.
  • Remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.
  • Always use the right kind of fuel, specified by the manufacturer, for fuel-burning space heaters.
  • Make sure your fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room. 
  • Ashes should be cool before putting them in a metal container. Keep the container a safe distance away from your home.
  • Test smoke alarms at least once a month.
Be Winter Ready on the Road

  • Avoid driving if you can.
  • Keep distance between you and the car in front of you.
  • Drive slow and be patient. Remember, it takes longer to slow down on icy roads.
  • Don’t drive distracted.
  • Avoid slamming on your brakes. 
  • Test your battery.
  • Check your antifreeze and wiper fluid levels.
  • Pack an emergency kit:
  • Include jumper cables, flashlight and batteries, flares or triangles, warm blanket, ice scraper, first-aid kit, drinking water and snacks, and a tow strap.
  • Make sure your wipers are in good condition.
  • Avoid using your wipers as ice scrapers.
Practice Safe Generator Use

  • Generators should be used in well ventilated locations outside and away from all doors, windows, and vent openings.
  • Never use a generator in an attached garage, even with the door open.
  • Place generators so that exhaust fumes can’t enter the home through windows, doors, or other openings in the building.
  • Install carbon monoxide (CO) alarms in your home.
  • Never refuel a generator while it is hot.
  • Store fuel for the generator in a container that is intended for that purpose and is correctly labeled as such. Store the containers outside of living areas.
  • When plugging in appliances, make sure they are plugged directly into the generator or a heavy duty outdoor-rated extension cord.