ReadyVB: City Prepares for Winter Weather; City Facilities Closed Jan. 31 and Feb. 1

Virginia Beach is preparing for winter weather this weekend with 4-6 inches of snow expected on Saturday and an additional 1-2 inches on Sunday. High winds, with gusts up to 55 mph, could bring blowing snow, reduced visibility and an increased risk of tidal flooding. Flooding could affect areas vulnerable to coastal flooding, especially during high tides on Sunday. 

As the City departments are preparing for possible impacts of the storm, residents are asked to stay indoors, limit travel and stay informed.  

To help ensure the safety of residents, staff and visitors, City operations will be modified. City facilities, including recreation centers, libraries, Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center and Virginia Beach History Museums, will be closed on Saturday and Sunday. 

For residents who need to move their vehicles out of flood-prone areas, four municipal garages at Town Center will be available starting Friday evening and through Monday morning. Parking is free, but the public is asked to avoid parking in reserved spaces at the Town Center garages as these spaces are leased by residents, and towing will be enforced. Be aware that if garages lose power, lighting and elevators will not be operable.      

• Maroon Garage (Apex Entertainment VB)     
• Red Garage (Westin Hotel)     
• Green Garage (Armada Hoffler Tower)     
• Orange Garage (Clark Nexsen Tower)     

Stay Informed 

The best way to stay informed is to sign up for VBAlert, the City of Virginia Beach’s emergency alert system. You choose what you want to be alerted about and how  (voice, text or email messages). Sign up by texting “VBAlert” to 67283 or visiting VirginiaBeach.gov/VBAlert.

Residents also can stay updated on the latest conditions in the City by checking the City’s website, which will provide emergency messages and cancelations as needed, and following the City’s official social media channels. In addition, residents can always call 311 or 757-385-3111, which is available 24/7, for information. 

Other Steps to Take Now

• Prepare your home, car: Follow winter weather preparedness tips for your home including winterizing your pipes from the City of Virginia Beach and winter weather tips for your car from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management , including packing an emergency car kit. 
• Download the WAZE app: Use the WAZE app to document, report and see the latest on road conditions and closures. Residents can also report hazardous road conditions by calling 311.
• Charge electronic devices: Keep your electronic devices fully charged in case you lose power. 
• Find more information: Residents can find additional valuable resources, tips and information on how to prepare before, during and after an emergency at VirginiaBeach.gov/ReadyVB.  

What You Can Do Later 

• Stay home: Residents are advised to stay indoors and to stay off the roads to avoid cold weather and potentially dangerous roads as much as possible. If you do have to travel, use extreme caution. 
• Report power outages: Report and track power outages to Dominion Energy and follow power outage safety tips. Report downed power lines, as well. Remember to never run a generator in an enclosed space and make sure it is cleared of snow. 
• Stay safe: Check on neighbors, friends and family and those who may be homeless. To help prevent injuries, sledding is not permitted at Mount Trashmore Park during snow events.  
• Get help if needed: You can request City services and information by dialing 311 or 757-385-3111. Residents are reminded to call 911 only for immediate threats to safety and property. If you need talk to police, fire or emergency medical services, but do not need them to hurry to you, call 757-385-5000 instead. 

What the City of Virginia Beach is Doing 

Activating plans and coordinating with others 
The departments of Public Works and Parks & Recreation are activating snow removal plans and deploying crews to maintain roadways and facilities. Virginia Beach has over 3,400 lane miles of arterial, collector and local streets. Virginia Beach Public Works has prioritized the plowing of routes for those with critical infrastructure, such as hospitals, fire stations, police and those with highest traffic count volumes. 

In addition, other departments throughout the City are preparing plans, staff and equipment to respond to the shifting conditions and dynamic forecasts expected throughout the weekend. 

Virginia Beach Emergency Management  is coordinating with local and state partners to ensure needed resources and continually monitoring conditions. The City will follow its established Emergency Operations Plan, making adjustments and activating the Emergency Operations Center as needed.  

The Resort Management Office and the Convention & Visitors Bureau are coordinating with weekend event organizers in anticipation of weather impacts. 

Providing shelter for the homeless  
The City of Virginia Beach provides ongoing outreach and actively works with community partners to offer connections to housing, shelter and support services for people experiencing homelessness. During the winter, the City partners with PiN Ministry and faith organizations to offer single adults in Virginia Beach who are experiencing unsheltered homelessness overnight shelter at local churches.  

To access the Winter Shelter Program this weekend, unsheltered individuals in Virginia Beach should check in at PiN Ministry, 1164 Millers Lane, Suite A, by 4:30 p.m. on Saturday and 5 p.m. on Sunday. Families with children should call the Housing Resource Center, 757-385-5167, for information on the availability of shelter.  

• ReadyVB
• VBAlert

The City of Virginia Beach Emergency Management team promotes a comprehensive emergency management program to mitigate Virginia Beach's impacts from human-made, natural or technological disasters. Learn more at VirginiaBeach.gov/ReadyVB.