Virginia Beach— The City of Virginia Beach will be operating on Modified Operating Conditions until 10:00 am Friday, Feb. 21.
Modified conditions means some non-essential services may be limited, delayed or cancelled, but the City will be open for most services.
As the weather is uncertain, all of the operating departments from Public Safety to Infrastructure are preparing for the worst, even though we are cautiously optimistic that this will be a benign event.
Public Works crews started working 12-hour shifts beginning at 6 p.m. Thursday to treat and, if necessary, clear roadways. There must be at least 2″ of snow for plows to operate. Citizens are encouraged to monitor local news for the latest on weather conditions.
City Operating Status:
- The City will be on Modified Operating Conditions until 10 am Friday, Feb. 21. While most offices will be open, call ahead if planning to visit before 10 am
- The Commissioner of the Revenue and Treasurer’s offices will open at 10 am
Cancellations and Closings as of 10 p.m. for Feb. 20, 2020:
- Public Libraries – TCC/City Joint-Use Library will be closed Friday, Feb. 21.
- Parks & Recreation – Recreation centers will open at 10 am Friday. This also applies to the Early Childhood Programs at Kempsville, Williams Farm, Bow Creek, and Princess Anne.
- Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center – The whale watching tour scheduled for Friday, Feb. 21 at 2 pm. is cancelled and the Adventure Park at Virginia Aquarium will be closed on Friday and reopen on Saturday
- VB Strong Center – Classes cancelled for Friday morning from 7-9:30 am Center will open at 10 a.m. and resume normal operations and programming.
Waste Management Operations
- Currently, there are no changes to the collection schedule. Any delay of collection on Friday, Feb. 21, will depend upon road conditions. Saturday collection is a possibility. Collection will take place as soon as roads are safe to travel.
- Residents should place their items out for collection as normal. Please make sure items do not block the water flow line to storm drains and that items are secure against the increased winds.
- Waste Management is taking no further bulky item work orders for Friday, Feb. 21.
- The Virginia Beach Landfill and Resource Recovery Center may close due to weather conditions. Residents can call (757) 385-1980 for Landfill closure information.
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.
Tips on how to protect your pipes when freezing temperatures are predicted:
- Since moving water will not freeze, allow a steady drip of cold water to flow from the highest faucet in your home. Using cold water will save you money on your energy bill.
- Keep your thermostat at the same temperature both day and night, so that pipes stay warm as the outside temperature dips overnight.
- Open cabinet doors to allow heat to reach exposed pipes under sinks.
For more tips on how to protect your pipes during cold weather, visit VBgov.com/protect-your-pipes.
The City of Virginia Beach is continuing to monitor forecasts and preparing for the expected winter storm from late today into Friday morning. Timing and amounts of snow could create hazardous travel conditions.
Public Works department crews will work 12-hour shifts beginning at 6 p.m. tonight to treat and, if necessary, clear roadways. There must be at least 2″ of snow for plows to operate. Citizens are encouraged to monitor local news for the latest on weather conditions.
City Operating Status:
- The City is currently on a normal operating status. If there are changes to the operating status for Friday, Feb. 21, they will be included in a future update.
Cancellations and Closings as of 4 p.m. for Feb. 20, 2020:
Public Libraries
- All youth and teen library programs scheduled for 4 p.m. or later today are cancelled.
- Fifth Grade Battle of the Books programs scheduled for tonight will be rescheduled for another date to be announced.
- The TCC/City Joint-Use Library will close at 3 p.m. today and remain closed Friday, Feb. 21.
Department of Emergency Medical Services
- EMT classes scheduled for tonight are cancelled. Decisions regarding the Friday, Saturday and Sunday schedules will be forthcoming as storm conditions are evaluated.
Parks & Recreation
- Due to Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS) cancelling all Thursday afternoon/evening programs, activities and events, all Recreation Association Youth Basketball activities scheduled for tonight are cancelled.
- Please note that if VBCPS closures continue on Friday, Feb. 21, gyms will NOT be available for use on Friday, Feb. 21, Saturday, Feb. 22 and Sunday, Feb. 23.
Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center
- The whale watching tour scheduled for Friday, Feb. 21 at 2 p.m. is cancelled.
VB Strong Center
- Classes cancelled for Friday morning from 7-9:30 a.m. Center will open at 10 a.m. and resume normal operations and programming.
Waste Management Operations
- Currently, there are no changes to the collection schedule. Thursday, Feb. 20 collection is proceeding as normal. Any delay of collection on Friday, Feb. 21, will depend upon road conditions. Saturday collection is a possibility. Collection will take place as soon as roads are safe to travel.
- Currently, residents are to place their items out as normal. Please make sure items do not block the water flow line to storm drains and that items are secure.
- Waste Management is taking no further bulky item work orders for Friday, Feb. 21.
- The Virginia Beach Landfill and Resource Recovery Center may close due to weather conditions. Residents can call (757) 385-1980 for Landfill closure information.
Winter Shelter Information for tonight:
- Homeless individuals who need overnight shelter tonight (Feb. 20) must check in at the Housing Resource Center, 104 N. Witchduck Road, between 3 and 5 p.m. Shelter space is limited. Transportation will be provided from the Housing Resource Center to the shelter site. Each individual is allowed to bring one bag that is able to fit underneath their seat on the bus or on their lap. Participants will be picked up from the shelter site and dropped off at the Housing Resource Center Friday morning. 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.
Temperatures are expected to drop below freezing this evening.
Tips on how to protect your pipes when freezing temperatures are predicted:
- Since moving water will not freeze, allow a steady drip of cold water to flow from the highest faucet in your home. Using cold water will save you money on your energy bill.
- Keep your thermostat at the same temperature both day and night, so that pipes stay warm as the outside temperature dips overnight.
- Open cabinet doors to allow heat to reach exposed pipes under sinks.
For more tips on how to protect your pipes during cold weather, visit VBgov.com/protect-your-pipes.