Crews Clearing Roads In Alexandria: Snow Update And Tips

The month of February started off with a new blanket of snow in Alexandria. City crews are out clearing roads Friday morning, according to the Alexandria Department of Transportation and Environmental Services.

Alexandria is under a winter weather advisory through 3 p.m. Friday. The National Weather Service expects a coating to 1 inch of snow. The highest chance of snow is through noon.

As of 9:45 a.m., crews were focusing on primary and secondary roads. The city prioritizes primary roads, then secondary roads, intermediate roads and residential streets.

Here are definitions and a coded map of roads around the city:

• Primary Routes are major streets and snow emergency routes that run throughout the city and near schools and hospitals. Plow trucks are first assigned to primary routes and then move quickly to secondary routes.
• Secondary Routes are local and neighborhood streets and most Metro and DASH bus routes.
• Intermediate Routes are streets requiring special attention in snowy conditions like steep hills that aren't primary or secondary routes. Intermediate routes also include a few smaller residential streets that are more commercial in use.

Property owners, occupants, community associations and businesses are responsible for clearing their own sidewalks, driveways, and entrances.

The city offers these tips during the snowstorm:

• Clear storm drains and fire hydrants adjacent to your home.
• Do not shovel snow into streets or onto sidewalks.
• Park your car off the street wherever possible.
• If driving, approach intersections slowly and allow extra distance between vehicles.

For those in need of shelter, the Alexandria Winter Shelter Collaborative is available all day at Carpenter's Shelter (5701-D Duke Street, in the former Landmark Mall) through Feb. 2. See the Homeless Services website for operating status and the shelter shuttle pick-up times and locations. If you see someone in need of shelter, call 703-746-4444.

Resources to know

• The National Weather Service's Baltimore-Washington office issues watches, warnings and advisories.
• To see real-time traffic conditions around the state, visit VDOT's 511virginia.org.
• Stay up to date on city closings and other updates with E-News alerts.
• Alexandria City Public Schools is on a two-hour delay Friday, Feb. 1. Any future operating status updates will be shared at acps.k12.va.us.
• Report power outages to Dominion Virginia Power at 866-DOM-HELP (866-366-4357) or dom.com.
• To report a water main break or for questions about water service, contact Virginia American Water at 800-452-6863.

Image via Emily Leayman/Patch