February 6, 2021

Dear Neighbor,

Fairfax County is under a winter storm warning from February 7, 3:00 AM until February 7, 12:00 PM, with the current forecast calling for 3 to 6 inches in our area. Snow is expected to start early Sunday morning and continue through the morning. VDOT road crews are pre-treating bridges, ramps, and known trouble spots today.

You can monitor the latest forecasts by signing up for severe weather alerts from Fairfax Alerts. Now is an ideal time to prepare for potential power outages and bad weather by purchasing needed groceries, charging your phone, and printing this resource guide.
If you know someone who is currently exposed to the harsh winter weather, please share the Fairfax County Hypothermia Prevention Program. The program offers a warm bed, a safe environment, and is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. No one should be left in the cold.

Below you will find an update from VDOT and County resources to help you plan accordingly.
Yours in service,
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.
VDOT’s Northern Virginia Snow Update
February 6
As a winter storm is expected to bring snow to the state beginning on Saturday evening, Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) crews are ready to clear roads as the storm progresses. Pretreatment options vary across the state as the storm is expected to start as rain in some locations. 

The weather event is expected to start late Saturday in the southwestern part of the state and expand across the Commonwealth into Sunday. Accumulating snow is possible in most areas.

VDOT urges motorists to monitor local forecasts and conditions, and avoid any travel during the storm, as snow or ice on roadways makes travel hazardous. 

Winter weather driving tips:

  • Give crews time and room to treat roads
  • If you must travel during adverse weather conditions:
  • Allow plenty of time to reach your destination
  •  Keep a safe distance of at least five seconds behind the vehicle ahead of you
  •  Brake very lightly to keep your tires from slipping on pavement
  •  Do not pass snow plows
  •  Visit 511Virginia.org for the latest road conditions before traveling. If possible, avoid travel until precipitation stops and road conditions improve.
 
For more information on winter weather travel, visit virginiadot.org/travel/snow.asp.
 
Resources:

To report hazardous road conditions or talk to a customer service representative, call VDOT’s Customer Service Center at 800-FOR-ROAD (800-367-7623) or visit online at my.vdot.virginia.gov.

  • VDOT recently partnered with Waze to add a new feature to the navigation software app that allows users to report, in real-time during winter weather, when a road has not been plowed. It will also inform travelers when they are approaching a road that has been identified by other drivers as unplowed. 
  • Traffic information is also available on Twitter @511statewideVA; for general VDOT information, follow @VaDOT.

Fairfax County Resources
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). Also, check Fairfax County Public Schools' website regularly for any potential updates or alerts.

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.
Power Outages:


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:

  • Before you start your trip, find out how Metro is serving your area and don't let yourself get stranded once you're out.
  • Do not stand in the street while waiting for a bus.
  • Never run for a bus or train.
  • Report any unsafe conditions to a Metro employee.

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