Prince William County Snow Guide: Traffic, Snow Removal, More

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, VA—Now that the winter storm is expected to dump several inches of snow in these parts beginning Tuesday night and continuing through Wednesday, according to multiple reports, here's what you need to know about snow removal and what it could mean for traffic in our area.

How can I keep track of snow removal?
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is responsible for treating and clearing public roads in Prince William County. VDOT has multiple resources you can use:

• 1-800-FOR-ROAD to report road conditions
• www.vdotplows.org for the 24/7 status of plows and trucks (available when two inches have accumulated)
• @VaDOTNOVA on Twitter
• Snow Removal Fact Sheet

You can also search road condition reports in your area at 511Virginia.org. You can see live cameras on interstates and major roadways and intersections, too.

If I'm driving, what should I know?

• While snow is falling, VDOT crews will make repeated passes on Interstates 95 and 66, the Beltway, primary roads and key secondary roads to keep travel lanes clear.
• VDOT's goal is to have all roads passable within 48 hours of a storm's end.
• Motorists are encouraged to delay any nonessential travel.
• VDOT's Customer Service Center is open 24 hours a day to answer questions and take reports of roadway hazards at 1-800-FOR-ROAD (800-367-7623).

What do I do if the power goes out?

The county has provided three key factors to bear in mind:

1. Be Prepared

• Have an emergency preparedness kit and a plan. Check out this video on tips for emergency preparedness, and see why this news anchor is taken completely off guard!
• Visit www.ready.gov for more information about creating an emergency preparedness plan.

2. Stay Informed

• We will update information related to any impacts the storm will have on Prince William County here on our website, as well as the County's Facebook and Twitter accounts.
• The County's Police Department and Department of Fire and Rescue have social media accounts. Please consider following them to stay informed.
• Know about road closures in the county by visiting the county's Road Closure Application or signing up to receive text/email notifications.

3. Know who to call

• Emergencies – Please contact 9-1-1 for emergency situations only.
• Utilities – If you experience loss of power, contact your utility provider:
  • Dominion Power: 888-DOM-HELP (888-366-4357)
  • NOVEC: 703-335-0500 or 888-335-0500
  • Washington Gas: 703-750-1400 or 800-752-7520

Meanwhile, Here are some other need-to-know tips and resources in case the power goes out in a storm.

Dominion Power:

• Report a power outage and check the status on an outage.
• Or call 866-366-4357.
• Northern Virginia outage map.
• Outage safety and preparations.
• Outage FAQ.

NOVEC:

• Report power outages.
• Or call 703-335-0500, 888-335-0500.
• Northern Virginia outage map.

Preparation Tips from Dominion Virginia Power and Ready.gov:

Make a habit of keeping mobile phones and other portable devices charged.

• Keep stock of matches, candles, flashlights and batteries nearby.
• Bookmark our Website (www.dom.com) on your mobile devices so you can easily report and check the status of outages.
• Keep extra water and non-perishable foods on hand.
• If you have access to an OUTSIDE generator, have an electric cord long enough to keep the generator at least 20 feet from any door, window, or vent.
• Make specific plans for how you will avoid driving.

When the power goes out:

• Close off unused rooms to consolidate and retain heat.
• Wear layered clothing and use blankets or sleeping bags to stay warm.
• NEVER use generators, outdoor heating or cooking equipment, such as a grill, camp stove, or a gasoline or propane heater, indoors.

If your home loses power or heat for more than a few hours, you may want to go to a designated public shelter if you can get there safely. Text SHELTER + your ZIP code to 43362 (4FEMA) to find the nearest shelter in your area (e.g., SHELTER 20472).

What are some tips for snow shoveling?

• Do not shovel after eating or while smoking.
• Take it slow and stretch out before you begin.
• Shovel only fresh, powdery snow; it's lighter.
• Push the snow rather than lifting it.
• If you do lift it, use a small shovel or only partially fill the shovel.
• Lift with your legs, not your back.
• Do not work to the point of exhaustion.
• Don't pick up that shovel without a doctor's permission if you have a history of heart disease. If you feel tightness in the chest or dizziness, stop immediately.

How will this affect traffic?
A messy commute appears likely. You might considering monitoring the National Weather Service's social media feeds for any updates. WTOP has continuing updates on 103.5 FM, 107.7 FM and 103.9 FM.

Image via Patch staff file photo