UPDATE: City of Alexandria Declares Snow Emergency

UPDATE Thursday, 5:30 a.m.:

The City of Alexandria remains under a Winter Storm Warning today, Thursday, March 5, until 9 p.m. Significant accumulation of snow and ice is expected.

City government offices and facilities will be closed for Thursday, March 5. Emergency personnel should report on time. For Alexandria City Public Schools operating status, seewww.acps.k12.va.us/emergency.

A snow emergency remains in effect. Vehicles parked on snow emergency routes may be towed and impounded beginning at 7 a.m.

Because this storm began with rain, pre-treating roads with salt brine would not have been effective. Once snow begins, City crews will work 24 hours a day to clear roads in priority order, beginning with snow emergency and primary routes. Residential roads may not be clear until later this week.

Crews will attempt to collect trash and recycling on Thursday morning as scheduled, weather permitting.

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Due to the forecast for significant amounts of snow, the City of Alexandria has declared a Snow Emergency to begin at 7 a.m. on Thursday.

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for the Alexandria area beginning at midnight until 9 p.m. Thursday. Significant accumulation of ice and snow may result in a Level 2 storm, which means that travel could be dangerous and some residential roads may not be clear until later in the week, according to the City.

The City will enforce snow emergency routes. These routes are marked with at least one red and white street sign at least every other block in each direction. Vehicles parked on snow emergency routes may be towed and impounded. If possible, the City asks residents to use off-street parking.

Because the storm is expected to begin with rain, pre-treating streets with salt brine will not be effective, the City noted.

The City also warns that this type of precipitation often results in power outages. The City urges all residents and businesses to be prepared on an ongoing basis for the possibility that it may not be safe to travel for three or more days, and that power may be out during this period.

City crews will attempt to perform Thursday morning trash and recycling collection, weather permitting.