1-29-19 Update on Extreme Cold Impacts for West Virginia

1/29/2019

Joint agency update on extreme cold impacts for West Virginia

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (WVDHSEM), the West Virginia National Guard (WVNG), and other West Virginia State Agencies continue to monitor the extreme cold weather front forecast to impact the Mountain State today through Thursday.

As of 7:00 a.m., the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) has received situation reports from all counties in West Virginia. All county emergency operations centers are monitoring weather conditions and will continue to provide situation reports daily through the duration of the event. No county or jurisdiction has unmet needs or significant issues at this time.

Current weather models indicate temperatures will continue to drop to the teens and low twenties throughout West Virginia today and overnight. By Wednesday, the significant threat for extreme cold will begin, as temperatures will drop to the single digits and may dip below zero with wind chill factors during the day and overnight throughout the state. Temperatures will continue to drop on Thursday, Jan. 31st, and will remain in the single digits to below zero with wind chill factor. Wind chill advisories and warnings are in effect for most portions of West Virginia on Thursday.

Snow accumulation is forecast to be light today, while gusty winds and dropping temperatures overnight may produce a flash freeze on roads, which may cause an impact to the Wednesday morning commute.

The West Virginia Department of Transportation continues to stay prepped and ready for any impact to the state with assets pre-positioned to treat major roads. Please remember, when temperatures dip below 20 degrees, salt loses its effectiveness. DOH crews will add calcium chloride to their salt mix to assist at colder temperatures, but temperatures in the single digits change the focus from melting ice to aiding traction by putting additional aggregate in the mix. Drivers are urged to stay up-to-date on travel information and road conditions by visiting www.wv511.org.

Portions of the state remain under various Winter Weather and Wind Chill Advisories, Watches, and Warnings through Thursday, January 31st. We urge individuals to monitor their weather situation via local television, radio, and news outlets or by following WVDHSEM on social media at: https://www.facebook.com/WVDHSEM/ and https://twitter.com/WVDHSEM.

For the most up-to-date information on National Weather Service Current Watches Warnings and Advisories for West Virginia, visit https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/wv.php?x=1.

For more information on extreme cold and how to prepare:

• Shelters and disaster information by county: www.redcross.org/local/west-virginia/get-help.html

• FEMA: https://www.ready.gov/winter-weather

• Red Cross: https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/winter-storm.html

• CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/winter/guide.html

• Work Safety: OSHA: https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/emergencypreparedness/guides/cold.html

• Pet and Livestock Safety: AVMA: https://www.avma.org/public/PetCare/Pages/Cold-weather-pet-safety.aspx

• Heating safety: https://firemarshal.wv.gov

• Road Conditions and Travel Information: www.wv511.org

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For more information, contact the West Virginia National Guard Public Affairs Office at: (304) 561-6762 or email: holli.r.nelson.mil@mail.mil or WVDHSEM PIO: Lora D. Lipscomb, Public Information Officer Office: (304) 558-5380 or at lora.d.lipscomb@wv.gov

Contact Information

Lora Lipscomb, WVDHSEM Public Information Officer