{"id":11014,"date":"2024-05-24T13:12:33","date_gmt":"2024-05-24T17:12:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/news\/?page_id=11014"},"modified":"2025-12-30T17:24:45","modified_gmt":"2025-12-30T22:24:45","slug":"severe-weather-toolkit","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/news\/toolkits\/severe-weather-toolkit\/","title":{"rendered":"Severe Weather"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"pl-11014\"  class=\"panel-layout\" ><div id=\"pg-11014-0\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-11014-0-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-11014-0-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-image-grid panel-first-child\" data-index=\"0\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-image-grid so-widget-sow-image-grid-default-5ff4073610f5-11014\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\t<div\n\t\tclass=\"sow-image-grid-wrapper\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-image-grid-image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/03\/media-300x300.png\" class=\"sow-image-grid-image_html\" alt=\"\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/03\/media-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/03\/media-1024x1020.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/03\/media-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/03\/media-768x765.png 768w, https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/03\/media.png 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-image-grid-image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/04\/does-your-family-have-an-ER-plan-300x300.jpg\" class=\"sow-image-grid-image_html\" alt=\"\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/04\/does-your-family-have-an-ER-plan-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/04\/does-your-family-have-an-ER-plan-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/04\/does-your-family-have-an-ER-plan.jpg 526w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-image-grid-image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/03\/bring-pets-inside-300x300.jpg\" class=\"sow-image-grid-image_html\" alt=\"\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/03\/bring-pets-inside-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/03\/bring-pets-inside-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/03\/bring-pets-inside.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-11014-0-0-1\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-last-child\" data-index=\"1\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<h2>On This Page<\/h2>\n<p><strong><a href=\"#prep\">Emergency Preparation<\/a>\u00a0 | \u00a0<a href=\"#power\">Power Outages<\/a>\u00a0 |\u00a0 <a href=\"#storms\">Hurricanes\/Severe Storms<\/a>\u00a0 |\u00a0<a href=\"#winter\">Winter Weather<\/a> |\u00a0<a href=\"#other\">Other Resources<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-11014-1\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-11014-1-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-11014-1-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child\" data-index=\"2\" ><div id=\"prep\" class=\"panel-widget-style panel-widget-style-for-11014-1-0-0\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<h2>Emergency Preparation<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-11014-1-0-1\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-accordion panel-last-child\" data-index=\"3\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-accordion so-widget-sow-accordion-default-d9295f5bfa93-11014\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><div>\n\t<div class=\"sow-accordion\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel\n\t\t\t\t\t\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-anchor-id=\"emergency-plan-and-kit\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header-container\" role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" id=\"accordion-label-emergency-plan-and-kit\" aria-controls=\"accordion-content-emergency-plan-and-kit\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-title sow-accordion-title-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tEmergency Plan and Kit\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf218;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf209;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"sow-accordion-panel-content\"\n\t\t\t\trole=\"region\"\n\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-label-emergency-plan-and-kit\"\n\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-content-emergency-plan-and-kit\"\n\t\t\t\tstyle=\"display: none;\"\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-border\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/04\/does-your-family-have-an-ER-plan.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-13128 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/04\/does-your-family-have-an-ER-plan-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"does your family have an emergency plan? image: family looking at emergency plan document \" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/04\/does-your-family-have-an-ER-plan-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/04\/does-your-family-have-an-ER-plan-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/04\/does-your-family-have-an-ER-plan.jpg 526w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Know where to go if you're ordered to evacuate. Know the local hurricane evacuation route(s) to take and have a plan for where you can stay. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vaemergency.gov\/know-your-zone\">www.vaemergency.gov\/know-your-zone<\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>Do you have a disaster supply kit? Remember to include a flashlight, batteries, cash, first aid supplies, and copies of your critical information if you need\u00a0 to evacuate. Learn more: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vaemergency.gov\/prepare\/emergency-kit\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">vaemergency.gov\/prepare\/emergency-kit<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel\n\t\t\t\t\t\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-anchor-id=\"supplies-and-planning-ahead\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header-container\" role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" id=\"accordion-label-supplies-and-planning-ahead\" aria-controls=\"accordion-content-supplies-and-planning-ahead\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-title sow-accordion-title-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSupplies and Planning Ahead\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf218;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf209;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"sow-accordion-panel-content\"\n\t\t\t\trole=\"region\"\n\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-label-supplies-and-planning-ahead\"\n\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-content-supplies-and-planning-ahead\"\n\t\t\t\tstyle=\"display: none;\"\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-border\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/03\/pick-up-prescriptions-1.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-12999 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/03\/pick-up-prescriptions-1-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"pick up prescriptions before a storm\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/03\/pick-up-prescriptions-1-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/03\/pick-up-prescriptions-1-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/03\/pick-up-prescriptions-1.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Plan ahead: Before a storm, stock up on supplies. Lean more about what to stock up on: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vaemergency.gov\/prepare\/emergency-kit\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">vaemergency.gov\/prepare\/emergency-kit<\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>Plan ahead: Before a storm refill your prescriptions. Lean more: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vaemergency.gov\/prepare\/make-a-plan\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">vaemergency.gov\/prepare\/make-a-plan<\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>Make sure your food is safe when the power goes out. Lean more: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/environmental-health\/food-safety-in-virginia\/emergencies\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">vdh.virginia.gov\/environmental-health\/food-safety-in-virginia\/emergencies\/<\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>Be tech ready. Make sure your phone is charged and you have emergency apps download.\u00a0 Learn more: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ready.gov\/get-tech-ready\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ready.gov\/get-tech-ready<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/03\/bring-pets-inside.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-13000 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/03\/bring-pets-inside-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"bring pets inside - dog &amp; cat\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/03\/bring-pets-inside-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/03\/bring-pets-inside-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/03\/bring-pets-inside.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Bring your pets inside before a storm and make sure they're a part of your emergency plan. Lean more: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.redcross.org\/get-help\/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies\/pet-disaster-preparedness.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">redcross.org\/get-help\/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies\/pet-disaster-preparedness.html<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel\n\t\t\t\t\t\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-anchor-id=\"weather-advisories\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header-container\" role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" id=\"accordion-label-weather-advisories\" aria-controls=\"accordion-content-weather-advisories\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-title sow-accordion-title-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWeather Advisories\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf218;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf209;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"sow-accordion-panel-content\"\n\t\t\t\trole=\"region\"\n\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-label-weather-advisories\"\n\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-content-weather-advisories\"\n\t\t\t\tstyle=\"display: none;\"\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-border\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/03\/weather-warning.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-12996 size-medium alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/03\/weather-warning-296x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"296\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/03\/weather-warning-296x300.png 296w, https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/03\/weather-warning-1009x1024.png 1009w, https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/03\/weather-warning-768x780.png 768w, https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/03\/weather-warning.png 1064w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 296px) 100vw, 296px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/03\/weather-watch.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-12995 alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/03\/weather-watch-296x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"296\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/03\/weather-watch-296x300.png 296w, https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/03\/weather-watch-1009x1024.png 1009w, https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/03\/weather-watch-768x780.png 768w, https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/03\/weather-watch.png 1064w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 296px) 100vw, 296px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Do you know the difference between a storm watch and a storm warning?<\/p>\n<p>A watch means that you should be prepared, as severe weather is possible in your area.\u00a0A warning means that severe weather has been spotted or is on radar in your area. A warning means you need to take action by seeking shelter and finding safety immediately.<\/p>\n<p>Learn more:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.weather.gov\/sjt\/WatchWarningAdvisoryExplained\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.weather.gov\/sjt\/WatchWarningAdvisoryExplained<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-11014-2\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-11014-2-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-11014-2-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child\" data-index=\"4\" ><div id=\"power\" class=\"panel-widget-style panel-widget-style-for-11014-2-0-0\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<h2>Power Outages<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-11014-2-0-1\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-accordion panel-last-child\" data-index=\"5\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-accordion so-widget-sow-accordion-default-d9295f5bfa93-11014\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><div>\n\t<div class=\"sow-accordion\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel\n\t\t\t\t\t\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-anchor-id=\"when-the-power-goes-out\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header-container\" role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" id=\"accordion-label-when-the-power-goes-out\" aria-controls=\"accordion-content-when-the-power-goes-out\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-title sow-accordion-title-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhen the Power Goes Out\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf218;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf209;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"sow-accordion-panel-content\"\n\t\t\t\trole=\"region\"\n\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-label-when-the-power-goes-out\"\n\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-content-when-the-power-goes-out\"\n\t\t\t\tstyle=\"display: none;\"\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-border\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>Take steps to protect yourself when the power goes out:\u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/natural-disasters\/response\/what-to-do-protect-yourself-during-a-power-outage.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">cdc.gov\/natural-disasters\/response\/what-to-do-protect-yourself-during-a-power-outage.html\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>If you lose power, use battery powered flashlights and lanterns.\u00a0 If you have to use candles, keep away from anything that can catch fire. Learn more: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/natural-disasters\/response\/what-to-do-protect-yourself-during-a-power-outage.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">cdc.gov\/natural-disasters\/response\/what-to-do-protect-yourself-during-a-power-outage.html<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel\n\t\t\t\t\t\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-anchor-id=\"generators-other-appliances\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header-container\" role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" id=\"accordion-label-generators-other-appliances\" aria-controls=\"accordion-content-generators-other-appliances\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-title sow-accordion-title-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGenerators &amp; Other Appliances\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf218;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf209;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"sow-accordion-panel-content\"\n\t\t\t\trole=\"region\"\n\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-label-generators-other-appliances\"\n\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-content-generators-other-appliances\"\n\t\t\t\tstyle=\"display: none;\"\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-border\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>Take steps to protect yourself when the power goes out:\u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/natural-disasters\/response\/what-to-do-protect-yourself-during-a-power-outage.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">cdc.gov\/natural-disasters\/response\/what-to-do-protect-yourself-during-a-power-outage.html\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>Portable generators can cause carbon monoxide poisoning, electrical shock\/electrocution or fire. Learn how to protect yourself at <a href=\"http:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/natural-disasters\/psa-toolkit\/use-a-generator-safely.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">www.cdc.gov\/natural-disasters\/psa-toolkit\/use-a-generator-safely.html<\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>Remember to keep generators and other alternate power\/heat sources outside, at least 20 feet away from windows and doors and protected from moisture; and NEVER try to power the house wiring by plugging a generator into a wall outlet. See tips at <a href=\"http:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/natural-disasters\/psa-toolkit\/use-a-generator-safely.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">www.cdc.gov\/natural-disasters\/psa-toolkit\/use-a-generator-safely.html<\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>Using a space heater? Practice proper safety procedures\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/winter-weather\/safety\/stay-safe-during-after-a-winter-storm-safety.html\">www.cdc.gov\/winter-weather\/safety\/stay-safe-during-after-a-winter-storm-safety.html<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel\n\t\t\t\t\t\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-anchor-id=\"food-safety\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header-container\" role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" id=\"accordion-label-food-safety\" aria-controls=\"accordion-content-food-safety\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-title sow-accordion-title-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFood Safety\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf218;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf209;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"sow-accordion-panel-content\"\n\t\t\t\trole=\"region\"\n\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-label-food-safety\"\n\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-content-food-safety\"\n\t\t\t\tstyle=\"display: none;\"\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-border\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>If you lose power, discard any perishable food that has been above 40\u00b0F for two hours or more. Learn more: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/environmental-health\/food-safety-in-virginia\/emergencies\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">vdh.virginia.gov\/environmental-health\/food-safety-in-virginia\/emergencies\/<\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>If your power goes out during a storm, keep your fridge door closed! It will keep cold for about 4 hours unopened.\u00a0 Learn more: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/environmental-health\/food-safety-in-virginia\/emergencies\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">vdh.virginia.gov\/environmental-health\/food-safety-in-virginia\/emergencies\/<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-11014-3\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-11014-3-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-11014-3-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child\" data-index=\"6\" ><div id=\"storms\" class=\"panel-widget-style panel-widget-style-for-11014-3-0-0\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<h2>Hurricanes\/Severe Storms<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-11014-3-0-1\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-accordion panel-last-child\" data-index=\"7\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-accordion so-widget-sow-accordion-default-d9295f5bfa93-11014\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><div>\n\t<div class=\"sow-accordion\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel\n\t\t\t\t\t\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-anchor-id=\"before-a-storm-hurricane\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header-container\" role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" id=\"accordion-label-before-a-stormhurricane\" aria-controls=\"accordion-content-before-a-stormhurricane\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-title sow-accordion-title-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBefore a Storm\/Hurricane\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf218;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf209;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"sow-accordion-panel-content\"\n\t\t\t\trole=\"region\"\n\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-label-before-a-stormhurricane\"\n\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-content-before-a-stormhurricane\"\n\t\t\t\tstyle=\"display: none;\"\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-border\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>A hurricane is coming, learn how prepare your home and stay safe: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vaemergency.gov\/threats\/winter-weather\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">vaemergency.gov\/threats\/winter-weather<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel\n\t\t\t\t\t\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-anchor-id=\"during-a-storm-hurricane\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header-container\" role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" id=\"accordion-label-during-a-stormhurricane\" aria-controls=\"accordion-content-during-a-stormhurricane\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-title sow-accordion-title-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDuring a Storm\/Hurricane\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf218;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf209;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"sow-accordion-panel-content\"\n\t\t\t\trole=\"region\"\n\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-label-during-a-stormhurricane\"\n\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-content-during-a-stormhurricane\"\n\t\t\t\tstyle=\"display: none;\"\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-border\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>During the storm, stay indoors during the hurricane and away from windows and glass doors. Because of the strong winds associated with a hurricane, flying debris and falling trees are possible. Learn more: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/hurricanes\/safety\/index.html#cdc_preparedness_steps_h2-be-ready-to-evacuate-or-stay-at-home\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">cdc.gov\/hurricanes\/safety\/index.html#cdc_preparedness_steps_h2-be-ready-to-evacuate-or-stay-at-home<\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>Seek shelter in an interior area of your home and refrain from going outside; winds often pick up strength as the eye of the storm passes. Learn more: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/hurricanes\/safety\/index.html#cdc_preparedness_steps_h2-be-ready-to-evacuate-or-stay-at-home\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">cdc.gov\/hurricanes\/safety\/index.html#cdc_preparedness_steps_h2-be-ready-to-evacuate-or-stay-at-home<\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>Stay inside and away from windows, skylights and glass doors. Find a safe area in your home (an interior room, a closet or bathroom on the lower level). Learn more: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/hurricanes\/safety\/index.html#cdc_preparedness_steps_h2-be-ready-to-evacuate-or-stay-at-home\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">cdc.gov\/hurricanes\/safety\/index.html#cdc_preparedness_steps_h2-be-ready-to-evacuate-or-stay-at-home<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel\n\t\t\t\t\t\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-anchor-id=\"after-a-storm-hurricane\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header-container\" role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" id=\"accordion-label-after-a-stormhurricane\" aria-controls=\"accordion-content-after-a-stormhurricane\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-title sow-accordion-title-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAfter a Storm\/Hurricane\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf218;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf209;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"sow-accordion-panel-content\"\n\t\t\t\trole=\"region\"\n\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-label-after-a-stormhurricane\"\n\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-content-after-a-stormhurricane\"\n\t\t\t\tstyle=\"display: none;\"\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-border\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/03\/media.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-12994 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/03\/media-300x300.png\" alt=\"don't drive during floods\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/03\/media-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/03\/media-1024x1020.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/03\/media-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/03\/media-768x765.png 768w, https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/03\/media.png 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a>Don't drive in flooded areas.\u00a0 Cars and other vehicles won't protect you from floodwaters. They can be swept away or may stall in moving water. Learn more about staying safe after a storm: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/hurricanes\/safety\/how-to-safely-stay-safe-after-a-hurricane-or-other-tropical-storm.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">cdc.gov\/hurricanes\/safety\/how-to-safely-stay-safe-after-a-hurricane-or-other-tropical-storm.html<\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>Avoid floodwater.\u00a0 If you have to be in or near floodwater, wear a life jacket\u2014especially if the water is rising. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/hurricanes\/safety\/how-to-safely-stay-safe-after-a-hurricane-or-other-tropical-storm.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">cdc.gov\/hurricanes\/safety\/how-to-safely-stay-safe-after-a-hurricane-or-other-tropical-storm.html<\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Stay away from downed powerlines and call your power company to report them. Learn more: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/hurricanes\/safety\/how-to-safely-stay-safe-after-a-hurricane-or-other-tropical-storm.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">cdc.gov\/hurricanes\/safety\/how-to-safely-stay-safe-after-a-hurricane-or-other-tropical-storm.html<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-11014-4\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-11014-4-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-11014-4-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child\" data-index=\"8\" ><div id=\"winter\" class=\"panel-widget-style panel-widget-style-for-11014-4-0-0\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<h2>Winter Weather<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-11014-4-0-1\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-accordion\" data-index=\"9\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-accordion so-widget-sow-accordion-default-d9295f5bfa93-11014\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><div>\n\t<div class=\"sow-accordion\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel\n\t\t\t\t\t\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-anchor-id=\"before-a-storm\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header-container\" role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" id=\"accordion-label-before-a-storm\" aria-controls=\"accordion-content-before-a-storm\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-title sow-accordion-title-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBefore a Storm\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf218;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf209;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"sow-accordion-panel-content\"\n\t\t\t\trole=\"region\"\n\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-label-before-a-storm\"\n\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-content-before-a-storm\"\n\t\t\t\tstyle=\"display: none;\"\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-border\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/03\/Prepare-for-Winter-Weather.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-12998 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/03\/Prepare-for-Winter-Weather-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Prepare for Winter Weather\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/03\/Prepare-for-Winter-Weather-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/03\/Prepare-for-Winter-Weather-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/03\/Prepare-for-Winter-Weather.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>A winter storm is coming, learn how to stay safe: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vaemergency.gov\/threats\/winter-weather\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">vaemergency.gov\/threats\/winter-weather<\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>Learn with your kids about what to do before, during, and after a winter storm: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ready.gov\/kids\/disaster-facts\/winter-weather\">ready.gov\/kids\/disaster-facts\/winter-weather<\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>Take caution in cold weather. Know the signs of frostbite and hypothermia: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/winter-weather\/prevention\/preventing-frostbite.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">cdc.gov\/winter-weather\/prevention\/preventing-frostbite.html<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel\n\t\t\t\t\t\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-anchor-id=\"during-a-storm\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header-container\" role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" id=\"accordion-label-during-a-storm\" aria-controls=\"accordion-content-during-a-storm\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-title sow-accordion-title-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDuring a Storm\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf218;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf209;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"sow-accordion-panel-content\"\n\t\t\t\trole=\"region\"\n\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-label-during-a-storm\"\n\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-content-during-a-storm\"\n\t\t\t\tstyle=\"display: none;\"\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-border\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>During a winer storm follow directions from local officials. If you're instructed to stay off the roads, only travel in an emergency. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/winter-weather\/safety\/stay-safe-during-after-a-winter-storm-safety.html\">cdc.gov\/winter-weather\/safety\/stay-safe-during-after-a-winter-storm-safety.html<\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>Using a space heater? Don\u2019t use extension cords to plug in your space heater. Practice proper safety procedures <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/winter-weather\/safety\/stay-safe-during-after-a-winter-storm-safety.html#cdc_preparedness_home_inside-indoors\">cdc.gov\/winter-weather\/safety\/stay-safe-during-after-a-winter-storm-safety.html#cdc_preparedness_home_inside-indoors<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel\n\t\t\t\t\t\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-anchor-id=\"after-a-storm\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header-container\" role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" id=\"accordion-label-after-a-storm\" aria-controls=\"accordion-content-after-a-storm\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-title sow-accordion-title-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAfter a Storm\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf218;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf209;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"sow-accordion-panel-content\"\n\t\t\t\trole=\"region\"\n\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-label-after-a-storm\"\n\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-content-after-a-storm\"\n\t\t\t\tstyle=\"display: none;\"\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-border\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>Stay safe outdoors and avoid slips and falls. Walk slowly and carefully on icy surfaces and packed snow. Learn more: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/winter-weather\/safety\/stay-safe-during-after-a-winter-storm-safety.html#cdc_preparedness_home_outside-outdoors\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">cdc.gov\/winter-weather\/safety\/stay-safe-during-after-a-winter-storm-safety.html#cdc_preparedness_home_outside-outdoors<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel\n\t\t\t\t\t\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-anchor-id=\"learn-more\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header-container\" role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" id=\"accordion-label-learn-more\" aria-controls=\"accordion-content-learn-more\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-title sow-accordion-title-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLearn More\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf218;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf209;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"sow-accordion-panel-content\"\n\t\t\t\trole=\"region\"\n\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-label-learn-more\"\n\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-content-learn-more\"\n\t\t\t\tstyle=\"display: none;\"\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-border\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"nested-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vaemergency.gov\/threats\/winter-weather\">Winter Weather | VDEM<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/winter-weather\/safety\/stay-safe-during-after-a-winter-storm-safety.html?\">CDC Safety Guidelines: During &amp; After a Winter Storm<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/natural-disasters\/about\/index.html\">Natural Disasters and Severe Weather<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"level-1\"><a class=\"tp-link-policy\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ready.gov\/winter-weather\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-domain-ext=\"gov\">Winter Weather | Ready.gov<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"level-1\"><a class=\"tp-link-policy\" href=\"https:\/\/www.redcross.org\/get-help\/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies\/types-of-emergencies\/winter-storm.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-domain-ext=\"org\">Winter Storm Preparedness &amp; Blizzard Safety | Red Cross<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"level-1\"><a class=\"ce-selection tp-link-policy\" href=\"https:\/\/www.weather.gov\/safety\/winter\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-domain-ext=\"gov\">Winter (weather.gov)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-11014-4-0-2\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-last-child\" data-index=\"10\" ><div id=\"other\" class=\"panel-widget-style panel-widget-style-for-11014-4-0-2\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<h2>Other Resources<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/news\/toolkits\/beat-the-heat\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">VDH Beat the Heat Toolkit<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/news\/severe-weather-preparedness\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">VDH Severe Weather Preparedness<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>On This Page Emergency Preparation\u00a0 | \u00a0Power Outages\u00a0 |\u00a0 Hurricanes\/Severe Storms\u00a0 |\u00a0Winter Weather |\u00a0Other Resources Emergency Preparation<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":258,"featured_media":0,"parent":1076,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11014","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Severe Weather - Newsroom<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/news\/toolkits\/severe-weather-toolkit\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Severe Weather - Newsroom\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"On This Page Emergency Preparation\u00a0 | \u00a0Power Outages\u00a0 |\u00a0 Hurricanes\/Severe Storms\u00a0 |\u00a0Winter Weather |\u00a0Other Resources Emergency Preparation\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/news\/toolkits\/severe-weather-toolkit\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Newsroom\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-12-30T22:24:45+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"6 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/news\\\/toolkits\\\/severe-weather-toolkit\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/news\\\/toolkits\\\/severe-weather-toolkit\\\/\",\"name\":\"Severe Weather - 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