Blizzard 2016: Sunday Morning Update for Alexandria

PHOTO: City of Alexandria Marina Sunday morning; City cameras

ALEXANDRIA, VA -- Here are the primary messages Sunday morning from City of Alexandria spokesman Craig Fifer:

· Everyone should stay off the streets in order to let the plows plow. We have 80 units at work now, and in particular we’ve brought in front loaders and large dump trucks from out of state to move snow. This heavy equipment is much larger than normal plows, and it needs more wiggle room to get down the street. Residents do not want to get into a game of chicken with an enormous bulldozer on a narrow street.

· We got more snow in 36 hours than we usually get all year, so it’s going to take some time to clear all roads. We plow in priority order and we’re still working to complete primary routes. We’ve reached some secondary routes, but it’s likely we won’t be able to reach all residential streets today. This is why we spent so much effort prior to the storm to ask residents to be prepared to stay indoors for several days. We even placed an unprecedented citywide automated phone call to communicate this.

· It takes a village to ride out a storm. Residents and businesses can help by clearing the fire hydrants near them (shown at www.alexandriava.gov/SnowReport) and checking on their neighbors who may need assistance. Government is working nonstop to clear the roads, and we are unable to clear private property.

· Snow shoveling is hard work; please be careful. Each year, more than 100 deaths and thousands of injuries each year are attributed to snow shoveling. Shoveling is strenuous physical activity that can increase the risk of illness and injury, especially heart attacks. Know yourself and your limitations; shovel early and often; take frequent breaks; push the snow instead of lifting it; and remember to pace yourself.

We encourage everyone to check www.alexandriava.gov frequently for updates. Our general assistance number is 703.746.HELP (4357). We have a lot of people calling 911 to ask about snow removal – 911 should only be used if immediate police, fire, or medical assistance is needed.