HISTORIC TRIANGLE — The Historic Triangle was battening down the hatches for a second round of winter weather Friday evening as Winter Storm Gianna loomed.
As of Friday morning, the National Weather Service in Wakefield was expecting strong winds, possible blizzard conditions, frigid wind chills and tidal flooding.
Winter Storm Warnings had been expanded to include portions of southside Virginia, the rest of the Peninsula, Middle Peninsula, and Eastern Shore of Virginia, with 6 to 12 inches of snow expected in southeastern Virginia, with a sharp cutoff in snow totals to the northwest. Totals could go from 1 inch to 6-plus inches in less than 50 miles, according to NWS.
Strong winds are expected with this storm, especially along the coast, with the greatest chance of blizzard conditions along the coast, as well, meaning very limited visibility and making travel incredibly dangerous. Additionally, strong winds could result in power outages, NWS said.
Very cold wind chills were expected beginning Friday night and continuing into Sunday, with the coldest wind chills Saturday night into early Sunday, where wind chills below zero are possible area-wide.
Tidal flooding is likely Saturday night into Sunday, the weather service said. Moderate to locally major tidal flooding is possible, especially in the lower Chesapeake Bay and along the Atlantic coastline from Virginia Beach to the Outer Banks. Beach and dune erosion are likely on Sunday. Due to very cold temperatures, any tidal flooding could freeze to road surfaces, NWS said.
Dominion Energy said with blizzard-like conditions expected in Hampton Roads and northeastern North Carolina, it is prepared and warning customers about power outages.
Line workers were stocking work trucks and staging equipment in areas expected to be most impacted, including the Outer Banks, Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Suffolk, and the Peninsula, and crews and contractors were prepared to work around the clock to restore power as long as it is safe to do so.
Dominion said it was expecting:
- Wind to pose a greater risk than the dry, fluffy snow that is expected, which is more likely to pile up on power lines but not weigh them down like wet snow or ice.
- When wind and wind gusts reach 35 miles per hour or more, crews will wait on using bucket lifts and will focus on ground and remote operations.
- That includes using storm patrollers to assess power lines and damage as well as drones to inspect snowed-in areas that are difficult to reach by foot or truck.
Dominion said it was expecting thousands of potential outages in Hampton Roads and the Outer Banks, which will likely peak Saturday night into Sunday afternoon. Power outage numbers will fluctuate. Storm outage updates are available at outagemap.dominionenergy.com. Restoration activities will likely last until Monday evening, but that could change based on weather conditions, it said.
The State Corporation Commission’s Bureau of Insurance was encouraging Virginians to review their insurance coverage thoroughly and make sure their homes and vehicles are ready for continued harsh winter conditions.
“Be ready for severe winter weather and its accompanying hazards,” said Virginia Insurance Commissioner Scott A. White. “Homeowners, renters and commercial-property policies can protect you against many types of winter-weather threats, but there are exceptions. Contact your insurance agent or company or the SCC’s Bureau of Insurance to learn more.”
To help reduce the risk of damage to home and property this winter, the Bureau suggests:
- Removing dead, dying, diseased or broken tree limbs near your home and property.
- Removing debris from gutters to help prevent ice dams and allow melting water to drain freely away from your home.
- Inspect attic insulation and ventilation to ensure warm air stays in the living areas of your home and out of the attic.
- Protect pipes from freezing.
- Make sure fireplaces, wood stoves and electric heaters work properly. Additionally, keep combustible items away from heat sources.
Damage to property due to wind, snow, cold and freezing rain is often covered under standard homeowners and commercial-property insurance policies, SCC said. Property damage caused by flooding typically is not covered, but separate flood insurance is available through the National Flood Insurance Program at floodsmart.gov and may be available through your insurance carrier.
With significant winter weather forecasted to impact Hampton Roads beginning early Saturday and continuing through the weekend, the Virginia Department of Transportation was urging motorists to finish preparations today and avoid travel during and after the storm until roadway conditions improve.
Based on current forecasts, VDOT said this storm is anticipated to require multi-day snow removal operations, and motorists should be prepared to stay off the roads for their own safety and to allow crews the space needed to safely and efficiently address the roadways.
Crews with VDOT Hampton Roads began pretreating state-maintained roadways on Thursday and have continued preparations by monitoring weather forecasts, coordinating logistics and mobilization plans, preparing equipment, and ensuring materials are ready, VDOT said, adding once winter weather begins, crews will work around the clock in 12-hour shifts to plow snow and treat roadways as conditions allow.
VDOT cautioned motorists should not expect to see bare pavement during — and for a period after — the storm, adding due to the anticipated rate of snowfall and high winds, snowplows will need to make multiple passes throughout the storm to remove snow as it accumulates or drifts back onto the roadway.
Roads that carry the most traffic will get top priority, VDOT said, adding it will focus first on the interstates, followed by state-maintained primary roads, and major secondary roads with vital emergency and public facilities or high traffic volumes, as resources allow. Low-volume secondary roads and subdivision streets will be treated after higher-priority routes are completed and as additional resources are available, it said.
For the safety of motorists, VDOT crews and emergency responders, the agency said travel should be avoided during the storm and afterward until conditions improve. If travel is absolutely essential, drivers should use extreme caution and check roadway conditions before heading out.
Due to forecasted strong winds, snow, and potential tidal impacts, VDOT said the Jamestown-Scotland Ferry may experience intermittent service suspension during the storm.
James City County is under a Winter Storm Warning from 1 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 31 to 1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 1.
The county said officials will continue to monitor the winter weather conditions forecast for the area throughout the weekend. Residents are encouraged to review their emergency plans and ensure they have needed supplies to support their families and pets for at least three days. Visit vaemergency.gov/
Power
There are three easy ways to report outages and track restoration times:
- Dominion Energy’s free mobile app, available on iPhone and Google
- Dominion Energy website: https://www.dominionenergy.
com/virginia/report-outage-or- emergency - Call 1-866-DOM-HELP (1-866-366-4357)
Report all downed poles or wires by calling 866-DOM-HELP and stay at least 30 feet away. The line could be energized and dangerous.
Stay Informed
Have multiple ways to receive warnings. County residents can sign up to receive important emergency alerts, notifications and updates on cell phones, emails and more at JCCAlert.org. Text messages charges may apply.
Information will be posted on the county’s website and Facebook throughout the event.
Monitor the weather and local media for the latest updates. Know the current forecast and get alerted for any watches, warnings or advisories on weather.gov.
The City of Williamsburg shared the following due to the aftermath of Winter Storm Fern and the impending Winter Storm Gianna.
Road Closures
- Capitol Landing Road Bridge at the Lafayette Street intersection is closed.
- Quarterpath Road is closed between Redoubt Park and the Quarterpath Crossing Shopping Center.
Parking Garages
- The top level of the Prince George Parking Garage (230 N. Henry St.) is closed.
To report any downed trees or hazardous road conditions, call 757-220-2331. Call Dominion Energy at 866-DOM-HELP for downed power lines and stay at least 30 feet away from the downed line.
The City of Poquoson was warning the National Weather Service had forecasted a high probability for up to six inches of snow for our area, likely beginning Saturday afternoon and continuing through Sunday morning.
Wind gusts of up to 45 mph are also possible during the event and through midday Sunday, it added, with moderate tidal flooding expected during high tide on Sunday morning that could impact low-lying areas, including flooded/icy roads.
The City of Poquoson, following the Governor’s Office, had declared a State of Emergency as of Friday. For those residents who live in low-lying areas, parking will be open at South Lawson Park, City Hall and the former police station — though please note that clearing of roadways will be a priority over parking lots during and after the event.
