Virginia Emergency Operations Center (VEOC)
Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM)
Virginia Emergency Response Team (VERT)
2009-12 Winter Storm Event
SITUATION REPORT # 11
1800 Hours December 23, 2009
SUMMARY
A significant winter weather event impacted the Middle Atlantic region, 18 December, through Saturday, 19 December, and resulted in heavy snow across the Commonwealth of Virginia. Unofficial snowfall totals for the western portion of the Commonwealth are over 24 inches, Central Virginia 8 to 16 inches and Northern Virginia 16 to 24 inches of snow.
EXECUTIVE ACTION
EOC Activation: VEOC is at Response Operations with limited Virginia Emergency Response Team activation.
State of Emergency: Governor Timothy M. Kaine declared a state of emergency on 18 December 2009.
Executive Order 105
Protective Actions: Map of VDEM Regions
Local Emergency Operation Centers Open: 5 Open EOC's
VDEM Region 3: 1
VDEM Region 4: 4
Local Emergencies Declared: 37 Local Declarations
VDEM Region 1: 3
VDEM Region 2: 5
VDEM Region 3: 3
VDEM Region 4: 10
VDEM Region 6: 7
VDEM Region 7: 9
VERT OPERATIONS
Priority continues to be coordination and assistance to local jurisdictions in Southwest Virginia.
125 Requests for Assistance Received
In Progress – 26; Declined – 4; Cancelled – 19; Completed – 76
ESF 1 (Transportation): 7
ESF 4 (Firefighting): 9
ESF 6 (Mass Care): 13
ESF 7 (Logistics): 39
ESF 8 (Health and Human Services): 2
ESF 15 (External Affairs): 1
ESF 16 (Military Affairs): 52
ESF 17 (Volunteers and Donations): 2
Missions Delivered, In Transit, or Accepted
Water – 140,004 gallons
Meals – 8,426 meals
Generators – 6
Propane cylinders – 20
Oxygen Tanks – 125
Kerosene Heaters – 4
EOC Support Staff – 2
State Coordinator of Emergency Management issued a Limited Exemption of Hours worked for carriers transporting motor, home heating fuels, and road treatment chemicals. Exemptions are granted for the period beginning 0600 21 December 2009 and continuing until 1200 20 January 2009, or whenever the crisis has abated, whichever is soonest.
Local Support Services: Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM)
Regions 4 and 6 Coordinators demobilized; on call to assist localities as required.
ESF 1 - Transportation: Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT)
Most interstate and primary roads throughout the Commonwealth are largely clear of major snow and ice; however, icy patches remain. VDOT crews continue work to make passable every secondary road and subdivision street following this historic storm. Motorists are reminded that cold temperatures and melting snow can still result in icy patches on all area roadways. Drivers should use caution whenever traveling and should check road conditions before leaving home by calling 511 or visiting 511Virginia.org.
VDOT and DMV issued weight waiver to Carriers transporting Essential Emergency Relief Supplies effective 1200 hours 20 December 2009 until 20 January 2010.
ESF 4 - Firefighting: Virginia Department of Forestry (VDOF)
Buchanan County – VDOF saw crews have completed the necessary saw work in the county. Crews were ultimately reassigned to Russell County.
Dickinson County – VDOF saw crews completed the needed saw work in the county and were successful in using a VDOF dozer to open up Mountain road to allow the necessary access for the restoration of radio and cellular services.
Russell County – VDOF Type 3 IMT continues to support county EOC operations. VDOF saw crews made significant progress on Wednesday (12/23/09) and have re-established access along all state and county maintained roadways.
Wise County – VDOF saw and dozer crews have completed all requested assignments and have been released. VDOF local County Technician will maintain contact with the County Emergency Operations Director in the event of any further needs.
ESF 6 - Mass Care: Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) Shelter Status Map
There are 10 local shelters open, operational and providing services in VDEM Region 4 for approximately 181 people.
ESF 8 - Health & Medical: Virginia Department of Health (VDH)
Office of Chief Medical Examiner reports 6 deaths; 5 confirmed storm related with 1 pending. Buchanan General Hospital has water being supplied by a contracted tanker. Dickenson Community Hospital is still on emergency generator power.
The Virginia Department of Health is advising local governments in southwest Virginia on the safety of their water supplies. Power outages have affected water treatment plants and the availability of water. Boil Water Notices are in effect for Buchanan, Dickenson, Russell, Scott and Wise counties, as well as the town of Jonesville in Lee County. The towns of Wise and Big Stone Gap, the city of Norton and Moccasin Gap are not under a Boil Water Notice. Residents should listen for instructions from their local governments about how to proceed. The 28 boil water notices impact 59,840 people.
ESF 12 - Energy: State Corporation Commission (SCC) Power Outage Map
Electrical Power: As of 1700 hours, 23 December, known customer power outage is:
Appalachian Power 25,400
Kentucky Utilities 5,700
Powell Valley Cooperative 625
Total 31,725
Kentucky Utilities reports that most customers will be restored by the end of the day Thursday, 24 December.The areas of Coeburn and St. Paul/Castlewood have more significant damage and the restoration could extend into Friday or the weekend. Appalachian Power reports that it anticipates restoring service to the vast majority of customers by the end of Friday, 25 December, but some isolated customers will likely not have service restored until next week.
ESF 14 - Long-term Recovery: Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM)
Documenting emergency response cost estimates and reviewing snowfall accumulations to assess eligibility for federal assistance.
ESF 15 - External Affairs: Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM)
Continue to handle media inquiries; however, media interest has decreased. Prepared and distributed news release detailing state agency actions to support local efforts. Continue to handle calls from citizens, Congressional offices and General Assembly offices.
ESF 16 - Military Support: Department of Military Affairs (DMA)
As of 1700 23 December, Department of Military Affairs staff augmenting ESF 16 in the VEOC transitioned back to the VA National Guard Joint Operations Center. Demobilization of National Guard assets are in progress and currently 521 VA National Guard members are on state active duty in support of response operations with 121 focused in VDEM Region 4 localities of Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee, Russell and Wise counties.
ESF 17 - Volunteers and Donations Management: Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM)
Coordinating with ESF 6 to assess shelter needs and locate resources to fill those needs.The Red Cross and Virginia Baptists are implementing a feeding operation for several SW counties. The Baptists’ mobile kitchen, stationed at the Applachia High School in Wise County,will prepare about 1,000 meals per day; the Red Cross emergency response vehicles will delivertwo meals a day to shelters in Wise, Dickenson, and Russell counties as needed.
PLANNING SECTION
Conducted conference calls with VDEM Regions 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7 and National Weather Service Offices in Blacksburg and Sterling, Virginia, regarding the potential for significant icing in areas along the Blue Ridge and Shenandoah Mountains. Call participants were advised to monitor the National Weather Forecast websites for specific weather information for their locality. NWS Offices – Blacksburg VA Briefing Page; Charleston WV Briefing Page; Morristown TN; Sterling VA; Wakefield VA Briefing Page
Maintaining situational awareness and producing state situation reports at 0800 and 1800.
Prepared by: Matt Wall and Debbie Messmer
Authority of Michael Cline, State Coordinator
/s/ Fred Vincent, VERT Coordinator
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