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| Alerts from Arlington County
March 26, 2010, 8:16AM
The following traffic closure / detour will occur in Arlington on Saturday, March 27th from approximately 9:00am til
5:00pm. North Bound George Mason Dr. will be closed @ N. 15th St. with traffic being detoured around the area via
N 15th to Edison St to N 16th St back to George Mason Dr. South Bound George Mason Dr will have one lane open for
thru traffic and the left turn lane will be open.
March 25, 2010 - 11:07AM
Arlington is joining Metro and regional partners in an emergency response exercise involving a simulated
explosion on Metrorail March 28 to test and practice multi-jurisdictional coordination and response.
The exercise is taking place after midnight when ridership is lighter and fewer passengers will be impacted
by the emergency response activity. The Rosslyn Metrorail station will remain open throughout the drill,
closing at its regular time shortly after 3 a.m. From 11 p.m. to closing, Blue Line trains will share one track
between the Foggy Bottom-GWU and Arlington Cemetery Metrorail stations, and Orange Line trains will
share one track between the Foggy Bottom-GWU and Court House Metrorail stations.
Passengers using the Rosslyn Metrorail station and residents in the area should expect to see numerous
police, fire and emergency response vehicles, first responders and volunteer “victims” near the station
between 11 p.m. Saturday, March 27, and 5 a.m. Sunday, March 28.
February 25, 2010 - 1:46PM There will be a Long-term Lane Closure on Arlington Blvd, from March 1 until July, when the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will permanently close the left travel lane of westbound Arlington Boulevard from Courthouse Road to 10th Street for a utility relocation project. Additional temporary lane closures are anticipated to occur throughout the project as needed.
The VDOT utility work is the first step in a longer term project to address the dangerous intersection at Arlington Boulevard and Courthouse Road. VDOT has determined that it is necessary to permanently close the left lane of westbound Arlington Blvd. in order to:
• Ensure safety of traveling motorists
• Ensure safety of workers on site
• Significantly decrease the time-span of the project (without a permanent lane closure the project could last nearly twice as long)
• Reduce the overall project costs
Expect traffic delays and detours in the area during this time. Commuters are strongly encouraged to consider alternate routes or take transit. For more information on available transit options, visit www.commuterpage.com. To learn about the challenges at this interchange, check out this video.
Questions? Contact VDOT staff, Matt McLaughlin at 571-248-6111 or matt.mclaughlin@vdot.virginia.gov or M. Jason Fidel at 571-248-6109 or mark.fidel@vdot.virginia.gov. For updates on VDOT roadways, visit http://www.511virginia.org and select “Road conditions.” dlp/oem February 10, 2010 - 6:43PM Arlington County Government, Schools, and Courts are closed Thurs., Feb. 11. Libraries, Schools and Parks & Recreation activities are canceled, and facilities closed. Schools are also closed Feb. 12 BLR/OEM February 9, 2010 - 9:21PM Snow and Roof Safety
As snow continues to accumulate on roofs of buildings and houses, you need to be aware of the potential hazards and important safety measures you need to take to keep you and the occupants of your building safe. Arlington County's Chief Building Official provides the following advice:
For Commercial Buildings...
Arlington County recommends you monitor snow accumulation on the roof of your building, especially in areas of drifting snow and flat roof structures. Monitoring should be done by means of visual observation only; do not climb on roofs.
Most commercial buildings are designed to accommodate a roof snow load of approximately 24" of dense, compacted and/or wet snow, notwithstanding any safety factors that may have been considered in the design and construction of the building.
With these factors in mind, please pay attention to the warning signs of roof distress:
Visible signs of sagging roof members including steel bar joists, metal decking, wood rafters, wood trusses and plywood sheathing;
Popping, cracking and creaking sounds;
Sagging ceiling tiles and/or sagging overhead sprinkler lines and sprinkler heads; or
Doors and/or windows that can no longer be easily opened or closed.
If you notice one or more of the warning signs, you need to evacuate the building.
For Single Family Houses and Townhouses...
Most homes in Arlington County have sloped roofs and therefore the risk posed by snow accumulations is less than expected with flat roofs.
However you should be mindful of signs of distress on the building, as follows:
Sagging ceiling beneath the flat roofs;
New cracks on your ceiling drywall or plaster;
Popping, cracking or creaking sounds;
Doors and/or windows that can no longer be opened or closed easily.
Please evacuate your house or the portion of the house if you notice any of the warning signs listed above.
Do NOT climb onto your roof to shovel snow.
Not all roofs are designed OR constructed to the same standard. In no case does Arlington County recommend you climb to your roof and begin clearing snow, unless you are directed by a professional.
As snow begins to melt, it can create puddled water, which poses the same risk to your roof as dense snow. Therefore, you must ensure drains, scuppers and downspouts are free of snow and that there is a clear path for the water to drain. BLR/OEM
February 9, 2010 - 6:55PM Due to the next snow storm the County has now opened an emergency shelter at Washington Lee High School, 1301 N. Stafford Street. Please enter the building using door #1. No transportation will be provided to the shelter, but there is ample parking and is within walking distance of Ballston Metro. No pets, with the exception of service animals are allowed.dlp/oem
Sent by Arlington County OEM to All users (e-mail) through Arlington Alert February 7, 2010 - 5:24PM WARMING CENTER TO CLOSE
The warming center at Thomas Jefferson Community Center, 3501 2nd Street S, Arlington, VA will close at 10:00 p.m. tonight, Sunday, February 7, 2010 unless otherwise needed. Dominion Power is making steady progress on power restoration throughout the County. OEM/JJB February 7, 2010 - 1:58PM WARMING CENTER
The County has opened a warming center at Thomas Jefferson Community Center, 3501 2nd Street S, Arlington 22204. The warming center can accommodate 200 persons, but cannot accommodate pets, other than service animals. Residents must bring their own food and water, and must arrange their own transportation to the center. OEM/JJB
February 7, 2010 - 1:46PM Arlington County Government, Courts and Schools are closed on Monday, February 8, 2010
What Arlington is doing
Crews have stabilized main, secondary roads and are working their way into neighborhoods. Crews expected to be fully deployed in neighborhoods by Monday.
Snow emergency routes, arterial streets, main bus routes, and roads to hospitals, fire stations, Metro stations, police stations and local schools are plowing priorities.
Snow plows at times throw snow back into driveways or onto sidewalks that have been shoveled. This is unavoidable.
View Snow Plow Routes and see how roadways are prioritized. The County maintains 60 miles each of arterial and collector streets and 256 miles of residential streets.
Check out the County’s video on snow plowing for answers to commonly asked questions.
No fines will be assessed for overdue materials as long as the libraries are closed. Do not deposit books, materials in already full drop slots.
What you can do
Hunker down. Stay at home if at all possible.
Stay off the roads.
If you walk in the street, walk along the sides of the roads, not in the middle. Watch for emergency vehicles, snow plows.
Wear light, reflective clothing if you are outside.
Shovel your driveways, walkways, sidewalks in front of your property, and around fire hydrants.
If you have a downed tree that is blocking a road or on a power line, call 703- 558-2222. Remember that plows need a roadway clearance of 15 feet and will not go down a street where they cannot safely pass.
Visit the County web site regularly for updates about and snow related changes to services, such as trash and recycling collection.
Stay connected and informed on snow-related information and updates on closings and cancellations:
1. Visit the County website
2. Become a Facebook fan
3. Follow the County on Twitter
Public Transit
Visit www.commuterpage.com to sign up for ART (Arlington Transit) and Metro Alerts and to view the latest service information.
Contacting the County
If you have a true emergency, contact 911.
Snow service requests: 703-228-6485, or snow@arlingtonva.us.
Check the County website for frequent updates on closings and cancellations, including updates on school closures and cancellations.
Call if you have a downed tree that is blocking a road or on a power line call: 703-558-2222.
For more information, visit our web site: www.arlingtonva.us
Sent by Arlington County OEM to All users (e-mail) through Arlington Alert
February 6, 2010 - 8:04PM Arlington County advises homeowners and business owners to be mindful of the impact of substantial snow accumulation as it pertains to roof safety due to excessive weight from snow. Individuals with safe access to flat roofs are encouraged to remove layers of snow from flat roofs. This should only be attempted if snow removal can occur without risk to personal safety. BLR/OEM February 6, 2010 - 4:48PM Massive storm expected to end tonight. County crews plowing round-the-clock, won’t reach neighborhoods for 48 hours after snow fall ends. Stay safe. Don’t drive. If walking, wear light-reflective clothes. OEM/JJB February 5, 2010 - 1:49PM NWS has updated their Winter Storm Warning for the D.C. Metro Area, now in effect until 10PM tomorrow. 20-30" of snow now expected, with localized amounts exceeding 30". Conditions will deteriorate rapidly through the P.M. Heaviest snowfall will be from sunset to Sat. A.M.. Wind from NE w/gusts of 20-30 mph expected by tonight. Visibilities will be appx. 1/4 mile. OEM/JJB
February 4, 2010 - 3:20PM With the impending snow storm, the following guidelines should be followed:
Basic weather safety involves staying off the roads, dressing in layers, having emergency supplies ready and avoiding overexertion.
Driving
Once freezing rain or snow begins to fall, stay off the roads. Only travel if absolutely necessary, and if you do, wear a seat belt.
Know roads conditions before you leave. Current road conditions are available by calling 5-1-1 or visiting 511Virginia.gov.
Have emergency supplies in your car. If you become stranded, you will need water, food, blankets, a radio, flashlight and extra batteries. Stay with your car. The Virginia Department of Transportation recommends running the car engine for heat for 10 minutes and then turning off the engine for 20 minutes.
Health concerns
Wear loose layers and a hat.
Avoid overexertion during clean up, no matter your age or physical condition. Shoveling snow or pushing a car can bring on a heart attack or make other medical conditions worse.
Emergency heat
Generators should always be run outside, in well-ventilated areas. Get to fresh air immediately if you start to feel sick, weak or dizzy.
Never use a portable generator in any enclosed or partially enclosed space. Windows and doors do not provide enough ventilation.
Kerosene and propane heaters can cause fires if left unsupervised. If you use one, use only the recommended fuel. Always refuel outdoors safely away from your home.
Keep an eye on your heater at all times while it is running. Shut it off before you go to bed or when you leave the house.
Emergency assistance
If you have a life-threatening emergency, call 9-1-1. OEM/JJB
February 4, 2010 - 10:31AM NWS has issued a Winter Storm Warning 10am Friday to 10 pm Saturday for 16 to 24 inches of snow and near-blizzrd conditions during the event. (TM/OEM)
February 3, 2010 - 7:07PM Another severe winter storm, with near blizzard conditions, is forecast to hit Arlington Fri., Feb. 5 through Sat., Feb. 6. Be prepared to shelter in place for 3 to 5 days . Please stay off the roads. Snow crews will plow primary and secondary roads first for emergency vehicles. After severe storms (more than 10”), it may take 36-48 hours after the snow stops before County plows can get to residential streets. Removal and treatment may take several days. For cancellations, more info, tips, visit the County Website ( http://www.arlingtonva.us/portals/topics/TopicsWeatherWinter.aspx) Sent by Arlington County OEM to All users (e-mail) through Arlington Alert | |
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