Virginia gov issues state of emergency for winter storm

It says based on snow forecasts, Mon Power in West Virginia, Potomac Edison in Maryland and West Virginia, Metropolitan Edison in eastern Pennsylvania, and Jersey Central Power & Light in New Jersey are expected to be the most affected by the storm.

In declaring a state of emergency, the governor authorizes state agencies to identify and position resources for quick response anywhere they are needed in Virginia.

A BP gas station in suburban Chesterfield County was empty of customers though a clerk said there’d been brisk business Thursday on modern-day essentials – soda, cigarettes, gas, milk – as well as firewood.

The National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center warns of heavy, “perhaps crippling” snow across the northern mid-Atlantic region, including Baltimore, Washington and Philadelphia, probably beginning Friday.

Emergency officials say there will be the possibility of widespread power outages.

Virginia declared a state of emergency ahead of a massive snowstorm that could bring up to two feet of snow to areas along the East Coast and other winter weather to the South and Midwest. It has more than 650,000 tons of salt, sand and abrasives available, along with almost 2 million gallons of liquid salt. In Northern Virginia, crews work interstates, high-volume roads, and in subdivisions concurrently.

Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring is reminding residents that the state’s price gouging statute is in effect as a winter storm bears down on the state.

“First and foremost, we should all take steps to prepare for a potentially significant winter storm event”. The Virginia National Guard has been authorized to bring up to 500 personnel on state active duty for possible assistance, the governor’s office said.

Winter Storm Warnings were scheduled to be in effect by Friday morning for every county in West Virginia except for Hancock, Brooke, Ohio and Marshall Counties in the Northern Panhandle.

VDOT is preparing for a total of one to three feet of snow across the state, with sleet and freezing rain in some areas. According to the watches, the storm and possible blizzard conditions are expected Friday night through Saturday night. That includes Charlottesville, Harrisonburg, Roanoke and Richmond.

Sustained winds of 25 to 35 miles per hour are expected, with gusts up to 55 miles per hour.

Virginia State Police have responded to 1,100 accidents.

Spokeswoman Corinne Geller says State Police responded to 767 crashes statewide over a 24-hour period ending early Thursday.

A trooper at an accident scene on Interstate 495 in Fairfax County was struck by a van that swerved to avoid a vehicle.

McCollough-Leake was killed, while her passenger and two people in the pickup had minor injuries. Five troopers were injured but are expected to be OK.