Winter Storm Fern - Emergency Preparedness

This page will be updated as needed throughout the Winter Storm Fern weather event. 

WINTER STORM SAFETY

Severe winter storms can bring extended power outages. Make sure you heat your home safely. Be careful if you use a generator: keep it outdoors and at least 20 feet away from windows, doors and garages.

Snow and freezing rain can bring the risk of power outages. If you lose power during a winter storm, don't use a gas stove or oven to heat your home and check with local officials about open warming centers nearby. More on power outage safety here: ready.gov/power-outages.

When there's a threat of winter weather coming to your area, make sure you're prepared. Have different emergency supply kits at home, at work and in the car. Visit ready.gov/kit for a list of what supplies to include in each kit!

Visit ready.gov/winter-ready to learn about some of the common hazards you might face with colder weather. We have resources for low-cost home heating solutions, winter-proofing your home and winter travel safety. Use these resources to keep yourself safe.

Please stay off the roads - VDOT is asking folks to please stay off the roads during the entirety of this weather event. Disabled vehicles hinder road clearing operations and make it difficult for emergency vehicles to respond when needed. 

If you have a life threatening emergency, please call 911. 

Emergency Shelter and Warming Centers

If needed, the County will open an Emergency Shelter and/or Warming Centers. Updates will be posted on this page, through the Everbridge Emergency Alert System, FAN Mail, and County social media channels.

Resources

• Heart Health - Snow shoveling can be hazardous to your health (source: heart.org)
• Virginia211 - Find Help 
• Ready.gov
  FEMA’s Ready Campaign #WinterReady page has tips and resources people can use to learn how to protect
  themselves from common cold-weather risks, including power outages, home heating fires, carbon monoxide
  poisoning and travel. The page also includes tips for those who are an older adult, work or play outside, need low-
  cost solutions for home heating and those who don’t typically experience winter weather.
• 511 Virginia - Road Conditions