Snow started mid-morning in Shenandoah Valley

By Lynn R. Mitchell

The first flakes of snow were seen in Augusta County around 10:00 Tuesday morning, six hours earlier than originally forecast, and it has been steadily falling since, fine snow that had laid down a couple of inches by 1:00 with no let-up in sight. The temperature read 12 degrees when it started and by 1:00 had only risen to 14.

Gratitude to Dominion Virginia Power for restoring power outages

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Recently it seems to be the favorite pastime of some to bash Dominion Virginia Power and other energy companies. But with this weekend’s high winds that caused power outages throughout the Commonwealth, and the upcoming snowstorm that will most assuredly cause more, it’s a good time to remember the men and women who work to keep the lights and heat on. Thank you.

 

Governor’s Office: Winter storm emergency resources in place

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Download 511 mobile app to monitor road conditions.

Governor Terry McAuliffe announced Sunday night that Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) crews are prepared and ready for a statewide winter storm that is expected to bring significant snow fall across Virginia beginning Monday morning. Up to a foot of snow is expected in the far western region of the state and four to nine inches of snow across the rest of the state.

During the height of a statewide storm, 2,500 crew members in addition to contractors work in shifts to treat roads and remove snow.  VDOT and its contractors have nearly 12,000 pieces of equipment, including plows, trucks and motor graders for snow removal operations. VDOT started the season with over 550,000 tons of salt, sand and treated abrasives and about 565,000 gallons of calcium chloride and salt brine.

Mike Farris grateful for wife’s safe recovery from overturned vehicle during snowstorm

By Lynn R. Mitchell

As Arctic conditions moved into Virginia Saturday night, Michael Farris was thankful for the safety of his wife who was rescued from her overturned vehicle that had landed in icy water during the howling winds, frigid temps, and snowy, sometimes whiteout, conditions.

In a post on Facebook early Sunday morning, Farris recounted what happened: