Team Norfolk Update 1/5/17 @ 5pm WINTER WEATHER UPDATE

Forecast:

A WINTER STORM WATCH is now in effect for Norfolk.
A Snow Warning is expected early Friday morning.

From Jeff Orrock with the National Weather Service in Wakefield: See the attached briefing with all the latest details. Snow amounts have been increased across all of Central VA as well as MD. Snow amounts have also been increased across portions of the Tidewater and Hampton Roads. 

 Winds have also been increased some and the combination of wet snow and gusty winds could result in some power outages in areas which receive the heaviest snow falls. Snowfall rates in some areas will approach 2 inches per hour at times. 

[Note: based on NWS’ Snow Probabilistic Forecast, there is the potential for 1’ of snow, with 8” likely]

 Timing of the snow Saturday remains unchanged with snow spreading in from the south after midnight and the heaviest snow from 5 am through 2 pm. 

This has the potential to be a crippling snow event across potions of the Tidewater and Hampton Roads in regards to travel. The combination of cold temperatures and heavy wet snow would result in dangerous travel Saturday and even into Sunday. 

Realize exact snow forecasts will likely change with later forecast updates. 

 

Team Norfolk Winter Weather Plan

Available here: http://www.norfolk.gov/DocumentCenter/View/28284
 
Highlighted Preparatory Actions:
Team Norfolk has a solid, yet ever improving plan.  Roles, responsibilities and expectations are understood and coordination calls have been underway.  Here are some highlights:

EOC Activation
The Norfolk Emergency Operations Center has been activated on a virtual basis.  There will be an ongoing yet limited presence in the Emergency Operations Center with a regular schedule for updates and conference calls.  Coordination and communication continues with Team Norfolk partners, to include Norfolk Police, Norfolk Fire-Rescue, Norfolk Public Schools, higher education institutions, U.S. Navy and more.

 A State declaration is anticipated as well as a local emergency for the simple reason of requesting and dispatching resources.

 

Last Team Norfolk Coordination Call was today at 3pm, and the call with the NWS and Virginia Department of Emergency Management was at 4pm.  Next Team Norfolk Coordination Call is scheduled for Friday at 11:30am.

 

Life Safety

A plan is in place for our vulnerable residents experiencing homelessness.  Our NEST program – inclusive of Houses of Worship who generously agree to provide overnight accommodations during the winter months, do a fantastic job!  For those times when need exceeds capacity, and the environmental conditions threaten life and limb, we were able to establish a strategy to provide support to NEST in an effort to keep all residents out of the elements.  That is in place for this weekend.  Additionally, in the event municipal operations are impacted and the usual daytime refuge locations are unavailable (libraries, recreation centers, etc.), a plan is in place to accommodate this need.  This is a tremendous effort among NEST, Norfolk Human Services, Community Services Board, Office to End Homelessness, Norfolk Police Department, Libraries, Operation Blessing and the American Red Cross!

Roadways, Infrastructure and Facilities:

Norfolk Public Works

Efforts well underway preparing vehicles and equipment.  24-hour operations begin tomorrow and will remain until the incident is over.  With the rain finished Friday morning, DPW operations will begin pre-treating the roads and bridges. 

Recreation, Parks and Open Spaces (RPOS)

With the expectation of downed trees and limbs due to those impacted from Hurricane Matthew, RPOS tree crews are on alert.  Moreover, they are prepared to address those areas of responsibility per the Team Norfolk plan.

Parking Garages

To accommodate off-road parking to better allow pre-treatment and snow clearing, General Services will make available a few parking garages.  Exactly which garages and the times will be posted at Norfolk.gov.

Norfolk IMPACT Call Center

The IMPACT Call Center (757-664-6510) will be available to receive calls both Satguirsday and Sunday between the hours of 10am-5pm.

Closures and Cancellations

Status of City-related services and events for the weekend will be determined around noon Friday.

Resource Needs:

• Request has been made to the State Emergency Operations Center for additional capacity to clear/plow snow.
• New blankets, sweatshirts, sweatpants and coats for our homeless residents.
• Need salt and volunteers to assist Snow Buddies program.  Details are as follows and attached below...

Volunteer Needed:  Sunday  & Monday (January 8th & 9th)

Orientation Times:  8:30 AM & 1:00 PM Each Day

Operation Blessing will provide snow shovels, tools and work order coordination.  We just ask that volunteers provide their own transportation to and from the job sites each day.  For all day and morning volunteers, we will provide lunch free of charge on site.  Please wear snow boots/hard sole shoes and weather appropriate clothing.  Operation Blessing will give each volunteer an Operation Blessing T-shirt.

Where:  Meet at the Operation Blessing Mobile Command Center which will setup on the CBN Campus at: 977 Centerville Turnpike Virginia Beach, VA

In the parking lot of The Coporprate Support Building (The Building Facing Centerville Turnpike with the Satellites on the side.)

Serving:  Norfolk, Virginia Beach and Chesapeake (We will expand out as we have volunteers.)

Thank you!!

Jim
Director, Norfolk EOC
james.Redick@norfolk.gov