For Immediate Release: December 15, 2020
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for the Alexandria area, from 10 a.m. on Wednesday, December 16, until 1 a.m. on Thursday, December 17. Mixed precipitation is expected, with total snow and sleet accumulations of up to two inches. A light glaze of ice is also possible on elevated surfaces. The City urges residents to be prepared for slippery road conditions and limited visibility. City crews are standing by to respond as the storm moves through the area.
Here are some important facts about snow removal and winter weather emergencies in Alexandria:
- In Alexandria, storms are designated with levels based on type and severity, from Level 1 (least severe) to Level 3 (most severe). Storm levels are updated on the City’s website as the weather changes.
- Roads are plowed by priority. Snow emergency routes are plowed first, followed by secondary routes, intermediate routes and residential streets. The City’s SnowReport tracking system enables residents to view plowing priorities and submit concerns.
- Clearing sidewalks, driveways and entrances is the responsibility of the adjacent property owner, occupant, community association or business. Time limits for clearing snow are determined by the storm level:
- Level 1: 24 hours after snowfall stops
- Level 2: 48 hours after snowfall stops
- Level 3: 72 hours after snowfall stops
- The City pretreats roads with brine when low temperatures or precipitation are possible, but rain is not expected. This preventive anti-icing measure, along with the City’s usual snow and ice prevention and removal techniques, helps keep roads safer.
Residents and customers are asked to do the following to help snow crews and emergency responders during winter storms and other weather emergencies:
- Stay off the roads in the event of snow or ice.
- Do not park on snow emergency routes.
- Keep shovels and salt or sand handy.
- Prepare an emergency kit and have an emergency plan in place.
- Clear ice, snow and leaves from around fire hydrants and storm drains, and avoid shoveling snow into the street.
- Sign up to become a Snow Buddy and help your neighbors who are unable to shovel snow.
Visit alexandriava.gov/Snow for more information about the City’s winter weather plans and how to prepare for winter weather.
For inquiries from the news media only, contact Andrea Blackford, Senior Communications Officer, at andrea.blackford@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.3959.
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