A winter storm is expected to drop significant snow and possibly create blizzard conditions to parts of Hampton Roads and northeastern North Carolina this weekend.
In addition to bitter cold temperatures, high winds and tidal flooding could exacerbate power outages and delay restoration efforts.
Power outage safety
High winds pose the greatest threat for power outages during this storm, according to Dominion Energy officials. Thousands of outages are anticipated, and any restoration work is likely to continue through Monday night.
Dominion operates a power outage map on its website at outagemap.dominionenergy.com. Outages can be reported via the Dominion app or by calling 866-DOM-HELP.
People should use caution when operating portable heaters inside. To avoid fires, the Virginia Department of Health advises that space heaters should not be covered and heat sources should be at least 3 feet from drapes, furniture, bedding or other flammable materials.
To avoid carbon monoxide poisoning, portable generators should never be used indoors. Use of charcoal grills and propane camping stoves also should remain outside.
Staying warm and dry in the event of a power outage will help avoid frostbite or hypothermia. The health department advises covering your head, fingers and toes to help keep warm, and staying hydrated — especially with warm beverages.
Finding shelter
Cities across the region have plans in place to provide warming shelters for anyone who is homeless or may have lost power and needs to seek refuge. The Facebook and X accounts of cities across Hampton Roads will be updated with the latest information on resources.
In Norfolk, the city’s Community Services Board has prepared the winter overflow shelter at St. Mary’s Basilica at 232 Chapel Street. Day services and meals will be held daily, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at The Center at 1050 Tidewater Dr., a 100-bed emergency shelter for single adults experiencing homelessness. Individuals who are homeless or unhoused and are seeking support can call the Community Services Board at 757-756-5600.
Residents can call the Norfolk police nonemergency number at 757-441-5610 to alert dispatchers of any unhoused individuals in dangerous or unsafe conditions, no matter the weather.
In Virginia Beach, single adults experiencing homelessness can visit PiN Ministries at 1164 Millers Lane Suite A from 4:30 to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday to check in for a bed and be connected to resources, including a meal.
Overflow shelter space for women only is available at the Housing Resource Center beginning at 5 p.m. at 104 N. Witchduck Road.
In Newport News, the Four Oaks Day Service Center is open daily from 5:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 7401 Warwick Blvd. for individuals experiencing homelessness. The shelter will be open overnight beginning at 5 p.m. for women, families and transgender individuals. For single men, the Port Winter Shelter at All Generations Church will open at 5:30 p.m. at 28 Harpersville Road.
Across Hampton Roads, people can call 211 or the ForKids Housing Crisis Hotline at 757-587-4202 to be connected with a shelter and other support services.
Snow removal
As far as sidewalks, it’s up to residents and property owners to clear them of snow. The cities of Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Hampton and Newport News all have ordinances that require snow removal from sidewalks by a specified time after snowfall ceases.
For snow removal on streets, Virginia Department of Transportation crews focus on plowing and treating interstates and major primary roads carrying the most traffic first before moving to secondary roads.
Cities have their own strategic plans, focusing treatment and snow plows on emergency roads first. Chesapeake Public Works, for example, does not begin plowing until at least 2 inches or snow accumulation. They do not plow residential streets.
https://www.pilotonline.com/2026/01/31/how-to-stay-safe-and-warm-this-weekend-in-hampton-roads/
