Dear Neighbor,

We've compiled useful information to help you navigate the first winter storm of the year. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) strongly recommends that you prepare to avoid traveling tomorrow, Wednesday, December 16, and that you closely monitor forecasts across the area for snow, ice, and winds. You can monitor the latest forecasts by signing up for severe weather alerts from Fairfax Alerts. Tonight is an ideal time to prepare for potential power outages by charging your phones, printing this resource guide, and getting your snow shovel handy.

If you know someone who is currently exposed to the harsh winter weather, please share the Fairfax County Hypothermia Prevention Program with them. The program offers a warm bed, a safe environment, and is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. No one should have to sleep outside tonight.

Below you will find an update from VDOT and County resources to help you plan accordingly. If you have additional questions, call my office from 9:00 am through 5:00 p.m. at (703) 425-9300, or email anytime at [email protected]. We will be ready to serve you!

Supervisor James Walkinshaw

P.S. Forward this message to your neighbors in the Braddock District! Residents can use our sign up feature or email [email protected] to subscribe to the monthly Braddock Beacon newsletter and Advisories like this.

Find useful links, phone numbers, and additional resources below. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, please call 9-1-1 (Do not call 9-1-1 to report power outages).

VDOT Plow Tracker:

Northern Virginia roads are divided into 647 snow maps. Use VDOT's snow plow tracker (activated when there's 2+ inches of snow) to check the status of your road and see what's been cleared.

Roadway Maintenance Map:

If a street within a townhouse, condominium, or business complex is not posted with a state route number, then it is a private street. Snow removal is the responsibility of the property management company, or homeowners association.

Sidewalk and Walkways:

It takes a whole community to shovel snow. While not legally obligated, we need your help to clear snow in front of residential or business properties so that all pedestrians (especially school-aged children, those with disabilities, and the elderly), may walk safely.

Schools:

Currently all Fairfax County Public Schools’ students will participate in virtual learning on Wednesday, December 16, 2020. The school system will evaluate the situation and notify the community as they have in the past through the FCPS website, Twitter, Facebook, email, text messages, and the local media.

Power Outages:

Dominion Energy:

If your power goes out, use your phone, or a laptop connected to a hotspot network, to report your outage and to get updates on their progress on restoring service.

You can report any downed power lines or outages through Dominion Energy's voice response system at 1-866-366-4357.

Utilities:

Washington Gas:

If you smell gas, or in the event of a natural gas emergency, leave the area immediately, and call 9-1-1 and Washington Gas at (703) 750-1400.

Verizon:

To report an outage, call 1-800-837-4966.

Cox:

To report an outage, call (703) 378-8422.

Public Transportation:

We understand many readers rely on public transportation regardless of the weather forecast. Here are some tips to stay safe and warm.

Fairfax Connector:

To minimize the wait time at your stop, check the estimated arrival time of your bus on your smart phone, tablet, or a desktop through Fairfax Connector BusTracker. You can also sign-up for email and/or text alerts for your routes estimated arrival times for a specific stop. Check Fairfax Connector's winter weather tips for additional guidance.

WMATA:

Subscribe to MetroAlerts to receive email or text messages notifying you of Metrorail, Metrobus, and MetroAccess service disruptions.

Need a refresher on proper snow shoveling techniques? Watch the video above!

Make sure you shovel your driveway's snow the right way by watching VDOT's video.