Team Norfolk Winter Storm Afternoon Update 1-7-16 @ 2pm

Team Norfolk,

From the National Weather Service: Attached is the latest briefing from the Wakefield National Weather Service for the ongoing winter storm. Included are some snow totals so far, as well as some timing of the back edge of precipitation. It looks like snow will end from west to east this afternoon, but not before another 2-5 inches of snow will fall east of I-95. Otherwise, no significant changes for this updated package. 

At this time, power outages are minimal at 463 out of 96,972 DOM customers.

Public Works crews continue aggressively plowing primary roads. Official snowfall accumulation reported at 4-6" with another 2" expected. Also as the winds pick up we anticipate more drifts exceeding 1’.  We are growing our fleet of plows on the street.  VDOT has provided us additional 7 snow plows for a total of 17 from the state!

Fortunately no reports of downed trees or limbs as expected.

Snow Buddies
Operation Blessing reports the following: The following is the NOON  “Work Order” update.  All of the calls have been from people who truly fit in the “vulnerable population” categories like:  elderly, disabled, care givers for the disabled, pregnant wives of deployed active duty military, single moms and residents needing to make it to medical appointments.  

Virginia Beach - 32
Norfolk - 25
Chesapeake - 4
Total 61

Snow Buddy operations will begin tomorrow (Sunday) at 8:30 AM tomorrow morning.  The flier with all necessary details is attached below.

Please spread the word VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!!!

Thank you, everyone!

Sincerely,

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

Team Norfolk Winter Storm Morning Update 1-7-17

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Norfolk remains under a Blizzard Warning until 7pm tonight while also under a State of Emergency declared by both Governor McAuliffe and Interim City Manager Doug Smith.
Here is the latest update from the National Weather Service in Wakefield:

“Winter storm is ongoing across the region this morning. Reported snowfall amounts are generally 2 to 4 inches from Richmond south and east. Sleet has limited snow amounts thus far across far southeast Virginia and northeast North Carolina. However, expect a transition to all snow by early to mid-morning across the southeast. Snow will be heavy at times this morning, with rates up to 2 inches per hour. Total snowfall accumulations remain on the order of 8-12 inches from central Virginia to southeast Virginia, tapering off to 4-8 inches in northeast North Carolina. Amounts have been increased slightly northwest of Richmond, with amounts of 2-6 inches expected. Due to winds gusting up to 35 mph and heavy snow this morning, near-blizzard conditions are expected along the coast, especially for the lower Virginia Eastern Shore, Virginia Beach, and Currituck County, NC. Whatever snow does fall will be slow to leave as temperatures Saturday, Sunday and even into Monday will be hard pressed to reach 32 degrees. Lows will be in the single digits to low 20s.”

I have also attached the hourly graph for your review.  Minimal calls thus far in the 911 center regarding accidents and/or downed tree limbs and virtually no impact on power outages at this time.  Dominion is ready and responding.

Norfolk Public Works crews remain in full force addressing roads and bridges, with additional support from our partners with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT).  Upon request, VDOT has provided 10 assets for a total of 30 to clearing major roadways!

The attached Hampton Roads Transit Customer Alert indicates ALL SERVICE SUSPENDED today.  Per their press release, "Hampton Roads Transit has suspended all public transportation services for Saturday, Jan. 7, because of snow and ice on roads and bridges associated with the weekend winter storm. HRT will evaluate road conditions throughout the weekend to determine the best time to resume service.  HRT had planned to use an Emergency Snow Route option that would have allowed limited bus, light rail, ferry service to the region but conditions deteriorated to the point it was not safe to operate. No paratransit services are available.  'The safety of our operators and customers is our top priority,' said William Harrell, president and CEO of HRT. 'We will resume operations when it is safer to travel.'  For more information, visit gohrt.com/route/snow-routes/"
The daytime support / warming station for our residents experiencing homelessness is in full effect.

Resource needs being addressed through Team Norfolk and our partners in the Virginia Emergency Operations Center.

The most up-to-date information continues to be posted at Norfolk.gov, the City's social media sites and Norfolk TV47.  Also, please encourage folks to register for Norfolk Alert at Norfolk.gov/Emergency.

There is a 10am conference call with the National Weather Service and the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM).  We will participate and update you accordingly.  In the meantime (or any time), please let me know if there are any resource needs. 

Thanks!

Jim
Director, Norfolk EOC

James.redick@norfolk.gov

 

 

Team Norfolk Update 1/6/17 @ 5:30pm

Team Norfolk,

Since our last update, a Blizzard Warning was announced by the National Weather Service and state of emergencies declared by Governor McAuliffe and City Manager Mr. Smith.

The amazing folks throughout our community who make up Team Norfolk and are all in place and thorough, inclusive and comprehensive plans being executed as we speak. 

Norfolk is ready.

As discussed during our last coordination call, it was determined situation updates should be expected around 8am, 1pm and 8pm both Saturday and Sunday.  To be respectful of everyone’s time, the coordination calls will be among those primarily responsible for the incident goals and objectives – i.e Mass Care (warming stations for our residents experiencing homelessness), Infrastructure (roads, bridges and facilities) and Communications.  These updates will then be immediately communicated to the entire Team via Norfolk Alerts and the Team Norfolk blog.

This does not mean anyone is excluded - quite the opposite. With the (virtual) activation of the Emergency Operations Center, any questions, reports or resource needs can and should be communicated to us at any time.  Moreover, we will be reaching out as the situation dictates in order to address any curve balls which arise. 

As always, please take notes of all that goes well over the weekend and what needs improvement.  This storm is one more incident which will serve to strengthen our Team and our plans.

Thank you, please stay safe and stand by for the morning’s update!

Sincerely,

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

Team Norfolk Update 1-6-17 @ 9am - WINTER STORM WARNING

Team,

Here is the morning brief from the National Weather Service in Wakefield:

Confidence continues to increase for a significant winter storm across south-central and southeast VA into northeast NC on Saturday. Expected snow amounts remain on the order of 6-10" with locally higher amounts to 12" across southeast VA, all of Hampton Roads into northeast NC, and much of the Eastern Shore. Snow arrives across southern areas late this evening and continues through Saturday morning before ending from west to east Saturday afternoon into Saturday evening. The biggest questions that still remain are just how much snow falls NW of Richmond where there could be a sharp cutoff between 2-4" of snow and little to none, and how much sleet mixes with snow across coastal northeast NC which could hold down snow amounts a little from the current forecast. Due to winds gusting up to 35 mph and heavy snow Saturday morning, there is the possibility of near-blizzard conditions along the coast, especially in Virginia Beach and Currituck County, NC.

Whatever snow does fall will be slow to leave as temperatures Saturday, Sunday and even into Monday will be hard pressed to reach 32 degrees. Lows will be in the single digits to low 20s.

8-12" expected for Norfolk.

Norfolk is under a Winter Storm Warning.

I am also attaching the Hourly Graph for your review.

More to come after 11:30am Team Norfolk Conference Call.

Thanks!

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

 

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

 

Team Norfolk Update 1-5-17 @ 10am WINTER WEATHER

All,

Forecast:
From our friends at the National Weather Service in Wakefield:

Not much has changed with respect to the light wintry precipitation event for tonight and early Friday morning. Snow accumulations were reduced to a half inch or less for areas in and around Richmond over to the northern Neck. Snow amounts of 1-2" are still possible across the lower MD Eastern Shore, especially along and north of a Cambridge to Salisbury to Ocean City line. All rain is expected across Tidewater VA/Hampton Roads into northeast NC.

For the second event, late Friday night into Saturday, confidence continues to increase for significant snowfall across south-central and southeast VA into northeast NC. Snow amounts were increased this morning across the VA Tidewater, all of Hampton Roads, and into northeast NC to 4-8" with locally higher amounts possible. The question that still remains is just how far north (inland) the snow reaches given the considerably dry air that will be in place across northern/central VA limiting snowfall potential. A Winter Storm Watch will likely be issued by this afternoon. Whatever snow does fall will be slow to leave as temperatures Saturday, Sunday and even into Monday will be hard pressed to reach 32 degrees. Lows will be in the teens to low 20s.

 

Watches / Warnings

None at the time.

Team Norfolk Winter Weather Plan

Available here: http://www.norfolk.gov/DocumentCenter/View/28284

Additional Considerations
Expecting a heavier, wet snow which can expose many tree limbs weakened during Hurricane Matthew.  Also, this type of snow is more difficult (and takes longer) to plow.

Dangerous travel Saturday with cold temperatures. Lows drop into the lower 20s Saturday and Sunday night and highs Sunday and Monday struggling to get above freezing. 

Highlighted Preparatory Actions:

• Pre-treatment of major roads to occur throughout Friday
• Ensuring adequate accommodations for residents experiencing homelessness.
• Prepare for deployment of post-snowfall Snow Buddies program.
• IMPACT Call Center (664-6510) to be open 10-5 Saturday and Sunday

Closures
No closures at this time.

Resource Needs:
Please contact us at the Emergency Operations Center with any resource needs.

Battle Rhythm / Coordination Activities:

Team Norfolk Section Chiefs / DCM’s Call at 9am
NEST Coordination Call at 1pm
VDEM/NWS Conference Call at 2:30pm.
Team Norfolk Conference Call at 3pm

Important Messaging:

Protect your pipes from freezing

Check on your neighbor, particularly those who are a little more vulnerable to winter conditions

Keep pet indoors during extreme cold temps

Looking for volunteers now who might be willing to assist with our Snow Buddies program – to assist those who need a helping hand shoveling out from the snow to make their medical appointments, etc…  Please leave name and contact info at 757-441-5584.

 

Thank you!

 

Jim

Director, Norfolk EOC
james.redick@norfolk.gov

 

 

Team Norfolk: WINTER WEATHER 1-3-17 @ 3:30pm

Team Norfolk,

The following weather brief comes from Jeff Orrock, Meteorologist in Charge for NWS Wakefield:

Attached is our latest thinking regarding the light snow Friday morning, mainly north of I-64 and across MD, and the more significant winter storm likely Saturday. 

There is still quite a bit of uncertainty regarding the Saturday snow forecast. It is not clear exactly how much snow will fall and how far inland the heavier snow will extend. There will be a sharp cut off in snow amounts somewhere across the western Tidewater and south Central VA. Should the storm track closer to the coast, higher snow totals would edge closer to Richmond. 

What we are fairly sure of:

Increasing confidence in significant snow across southeast VA and northeast NC

For Norfolk… Saturday forecast shows 3 to 4 inches in Norfolk, but could go to 4 to 6 inches. Expect forecast amounts to change some in time. 

Snow will accumulate quickly Saturday morning. 

Temperatures will be very cold with lows in the teens and highs at or below freezing from Saturday through Monday. 

More in the way of preparatory actions and messaging to come in the morning!

 Jim

Director, Norfolk EOC