Virginia Emergency Operations Center (VEOC) Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) Virginia Emergency Response Team (VERT) 2009-12 Winter Storm Event SITUATION REPORT # 20 1100 Hours December 28, 2009

SUMMARY

Localities in Southwest Virginia continue progress recovering from a major winter storm that impacted the Commonwealth on 18 and 19 December. Appalachian Power experienced additional outages on 25 December as a result of freezing rain and wind which resulted in an increase of power outages to a total of 31,600. The extensive damage to utilities infrastructure combined with the recent ice and wind event has caused restoration delays that will go well into this week. The slow progress in restoration of power is causing localities to continue shelter operations and request assistance from the Commonwealth to provide essential services. As of 0700, 28 December, reported power outages are down to 11,650, a decrease of 3,030 from last night’s The continuing power outages are likely taxing local response capabilities in some areas since the event has stretched over ten days.

EXECUTIVE ACTION

EOC Activation: VEOC 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: 2 VDEM Region 4: 2 – Scott County, Russell County

VERT OPERATIONS Priority continues to be coordination and assistance to local jurisdictions in Southwest Virginia. The Virginia Emergency Response Team and Incident Management Cadre have been aggressive in addressing and anticipating requests for assistance and based on responses from localities and local emergency management have initiated demobilization of resources. An Incident Management Cadre (IMC) conference call held on 26 December reviewed demobilization plans and discussed damage assessments and request for Federal declaration. IMC conference call on 27 December reviewed and update demobilization plans to recover resources and discussed outstanding operational issues.

133 Requests for Assistance Received In Progress – 20; Declined – 5; Cancelled – 20; Completed – 88 ESF 1 (Transportation): 7 ESF 4 (Firefighting): 10 ESF 6 (Mass Care): 14 ESF 7 (Logistics): 42 ESF 8 (Health and Human Services): 2 ESF 15 (External Affairs): 1 ESF 16 (Military Affairs): 53 ESF 17 (Volunteers and Donations): 4

Missions Delivered, In Transit, or Accepted Water – 150,004 gallons delivered Meals – 10,426 MRE/Heater meals delivered Generators – 3 (demobilized 3) Propane cylinders – 20 (no change) Oxygen Tanks – 125 (no change) Local Support Services: Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) Local Support Services Director on call to assist localities as required

ESF 1 - Transportation: Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) 511Virginia.org All interstate, primary roads, bridges and overpasses are clear of snow and ice; however, icy patches remain. Most secondary roads are clear of snow and ice; however, icy patches remain. As of 1000, 28 December, 44 secondary roads across the Commonwealth are closed or impassable due to flooding or standing water.

ESF 6 - Mass Care: Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) As of 1000, 28 December, 4 local shelters remain open providing services in VDEM Region 4 for approximately 37 people. Buchanan County – 1 shelter – 12 people Dickenson County – 2 shelters – 20 people Russell County – 1 shelter – 5 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. Power continues to be restored in areas of Cumberland Plateau and Lenowisco Health Districts in Southwest Virginia with some outages remaining. Situation is slowly improving with power being restored to various section of the affected area. Boil Water Notices remain in effect for portions of Buchanan, Dickenson, Russell, Scott and Wise and Lee counties where water pressure/service was interrupted or continues to be out. Due to the inconsistency of power and that some systems have variations between pressure zones; VDH continues to recommend precautionary Boil Water Notices until samples can be obtained and analyzed to assure the drinking water is safe. If citizens have questions concerning their water supply, they should contact their water service provider directly.

ESF 12 - Energy: State Corporation Commission (SCC) Restoration times have shifted due to the increased outages from the recent winter storm. Following is anticipated restoration times: Buchanan County; outages will extend into this week; Dickenson County; outages will extend into this week; Russell and Scott counties; remaining outages will extend into Monday, 28 December. Appalachian Power reported approximately 5,500 customers along the Roanoke/Floyd county line were impacted by an outage early morning, 27 December, and all power was restored on 27 December.

Electrical Power: As of 0700 hours, 28 December, known customer power outage is: Appalachian Power Buchanan County 4,400 (decrease 600) Dickenson County 3,800 (decrease 700) Scott County 1,100 (decrease 500) Wise County 1,600 (decrease 100) Russell County 150 (decrease 230) Floyd County 600 (decrease 500) Roanoke County 0 (decrease 400) Total Systemwide 11,650 (decrease 3,030)

ESF 14 - Long-Term Recovery: Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) Requested Initial Damage Assessments from localities and State Agencies to be submitted to VDEM by 30 December; snowfall data from National Weather Service (NWS) and National Climate Data Center (NCDC) being reviewed and initial indications are that approximately 11 localities exceeded NWS and/or NCDC record snowfall levels, 15 met record snowfall levels and 7 are within threshold. All information to be reviewed next week and recommendation on Federal Declaration to be made on 30 December.

ESF 17 - Volunteers and Donations Management: Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) Voluntary Organizations Active during Disasters (VOAD) and American Red Cross volunteers continue to deliver meals from the Virginia Baptist kitchen in Appalachia and are also staffing shelters in Clintwood, Grundy and Lebanon. VOAD and American Red Cross and other voluntary organizations have stepped forward to assist all localities in Southwest VA and ESF 17 is grateful 2 for the sacrifice of the volunteers in sharing their holidays with the folks affected by the winter storm.

PLANNING SECTION Maintaining situational awareness and producing daily state situation reports around 1100 beginning today, 28 December.

Monitoring National Weather Service Forecasts regarding storm system that could possibly impact the Commonwealth Wednesday night, 30 December; at this time there are still questions on timing, track and type of precipitation; however, the Commonwealth could experience another snow/rain event.

Flood Warning in effect for Dan River at South Boston through Monday evening, 28 December; minor flooding is occurring. NWS Blacksburg VA

Flood Warning in effect for Roanoke River at Randolph through Monday evening, 28 December; minor flooding is occurring. NWS Blacksburg VA

Flood Warning in effect for Meherrin River at Lawrenceville through Monday afternoon, 28 December; minor flooding occurring. NWS Wakefield VA

Flood Warning in effect for James River at Westham through Monday afternoon, 28 December; minor flooding is occurring. NWS Wakefield VA

Winter Weather Advisory in effect until 0600 29 December for Highland County in Northwestern VA; possible snowfall accumulations between 4 to 8 inches and possible wind gusts up to 40 mph, especially at elevations above 3000 feet. NWS Sterling VA

Weather Forecast: Monday 28 December Southwest/West Central VA: Partly to mostly cloudy; 20% chance of snow showers before 1200 with less than an inch accumulation; high temps upper 20s to mid 30s; overnight temps upper teens to low 20s; west winds 10-15 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. NWS Blacksburg VA; NWS Morristown TN; NWS Charleston WV

Northwest/Northern VA: Partly sunny; high temps upper 30s to low 40s; overnight temps low 20s; west 10-15 with gusts up to 30 mph. NWS Sterling VA

Central/Eastern VA: Mostly sunny; high temps low to mid 40s; overnight temps mid to upper 20s; west winds 10-15. NWS Wakefield VA

Tuesday 29 December Southwest/West Central VA: Mostly sunny; high temps mid to upper 30s; overnight temps low 20s; north-northwest winds 10-15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph. NWS Blacksburg VA; NWS Morristown TN; NWS Charleston WV

Northwest/Northern VA: Sunny; high temps mid 30s; overnight temps mid to upper teens; west-northwest winds 15-25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. NWS Sterling VA

Central/Eastern VA: Sunny; high temps low 40s; overnight temps low to mid 20s; west- northwest winds 10-15 mph with gusts up to 30 mph along east coast. NWS Wakefield VA

Prepared by: Mike Gray Authority of Michael Cline, State Coordinator /s/ Harry Colestock, VERT Coordinator

3