Agencies urge residents to prepare
RICHMOND, Va. – On February 10, 2025, Governor Glenn Youngkin declared a State of Emergency in advance of the latest winter storm event.
Forecasts are predicting weather severe enough to cause flooding, power outages, and hazardous travel conditions. Counties including Page, Shenandoah, Warren, Culpeper and Rappahannock will be affected.
“I am declaring a state of emergency so we can move resources around the state,” said Youngkin. “I urge all Virginians to monitor your local forecast and to prepare for possible impacts to roadways and infrastructure.”
To coordinate the state’s response activities, the Virginia Emergency Support Team (via the Virginia Department of Emergency Management) will be activated.
The National Weather Service (NWS) initially issued a “Winter Storm Watch” for Tuesday afternoon into Wednesday.
On Monday, February 10, the NWS upgraded the alert to a “Winter Storm Warning,” stating:
Snow will overspread the area late Tuesday morning into Tuesday afternoon, with the steadiest snow expected late Tuesday afternoon and evening.
Snowfall rates of up to one inch per hour and visibility below one half mile are possible Tuesday afternoon and evening. A light wintry mix may continue into Wednesday.
Depending on the source, local predictions are ranging from five to eight inches of snow combined with at least a light glaze of ice.
The Luray Police Department issued the following reminder to those who park vehicles in town:
Also on Monday, several Page County-area business and agencies announced planned closures. Page County Public Schools canceled all Tuesday classes and activities. Massanutten Regional Library announced that all branches will be closed on Tuesday.
As of 11:45 p.m. on Monday, no official announcements regarding closures or delays were yet made by the county or the towns. The town of Shenandoah, however, announced that the Lewis Mountain program has been rescheduled for February 26.
The Virginia Department of Transportation (Staunton District) posted the following advisory via their website and social media:
AVOID ROADWAY TRAVEL DURING TUESDAY HEAVY SNOW EVENT
Motorists should avoid travel on Tuesday, February 11 due to forecasted heavy snow in the Shenandoah Valley and Alleghany Highlands. In some areas sleet and freezing rain may also occur. Expect hazardous driving conditions.
It is important to stay off roadways and let snow removal crews work. All travel should occur before or after this weather event.
Virginia Department of Transportation Staunton District crews and contractors will monitor, plow and treat roads as needed.
Bridges and overpasses will freeze first. The public should also be alert for falling tree limbs and tree debris on roadways from heavy wet snow or ice.
Travel should be planned to occur before or after these hazardous conditions. Always buckle up.
Monitor the weather forecast closely, because weather systems can change. Also monitor the weather along any travel route for possible changes. Conditions can vary greatly from one end of the Commonwealth of Virginia to the other.
Road-clearing priorities are as follows:
The Interstate Highway System and limited-access roadways are our first priority.
Primary roads and major secondary roads with vital emergency and public facilities, or those with high-traffic volumes, will be cleared along with interstate and limited-access roadways as resources allow.
Low-volume secondary roads and subdivision streets will be treated after higher-priority routes are completed and additional resources are available.
Check 511 at its updated URL and website: https://511.vdot.virginia.gov/. The 511 site has traffic cameras, current crash locations, weather conditions and more. The public can sign-up for 511 alerts to be sent to their personal device. On the VDOT 511 website, roads with snow and ice conditions will be marked minor, moderate, severe or closed.
The VDOT Staunton District consists of 11 counties from the Alleghany Highlands to the northern Shenandoah Valley: Alleghany, Bath, Rockbridge, Highland, Augusta, Rockingham, Page, Shenandoah, Frederick, Clarke and Warren.
To report power outages, SVEC customers should call (800) 234-7832, or visit the SVEC OUTAGE PAGE to view real time reporting and outage updates.
Virginians are advised to ONLY call 911 or #77 on a cell phone in case of emergency. It is essential to keep emergency dispatch lines open for those in serious need of police, fire or medical response.