Snow Emergency Routes Active Sunday, January 16 at Noon
Saturday, January 15, 2022 -- In response to the Winter Storm Advisory issued by the National Weather Service, the City has declared a Snow Emergency starting at Noon on Sunday, January 16. This means that the Snow Emergency Routes will be activated at that time (noon); see the list of routes below and at www.fallschurchva.gov/SnowRoutes. The City's snow emergency routes need to be open for first responders, public safety officials, and road crews at all times and thus have priority for salting, sanding and plowing.
Prepare for Snow
Prepare for power outages. Charge electronic items, such as mobile phones, laptops and other handheld or mobile devices — and keep them fully charged.
Contact Dominion Energy if there is a power outage. Call them at 866-366-4357, or report online at www.dom.com, or use their app. The more outages reported, the more homes they know are affected.
If you use a portable generator, know that the exhaust contains carbon monoxide, a deadly poisonous gas you cannot see or smell. Never run a generator indoors or in partly enclosed areas such as garages. Only use outdoors and far from windows, doors, vents, crawl spaces and in an area where adequate ventilation is available and will not accumulate deadly exhaust gas. Using a fan or opening doors and windows will not provide sufficient ventilation. It is recommended that you install battery operated Carbon Monoxide alarms/detectors indoors according to manufacturer’s instructions / recommendations.
Bring pets indoors to keep them safe and warm. If it's too cold for you outdoors, it's too cold for them.
Park off-street (in driveways and designated parking lots/areas) when possible to allow vehicles treating and plowing roads efficient access to public roads, especially Snow Emergency Routes.
Monitor road conditions, and schedule or postpone travel when the weather could make driving unsafe.
Shovel Safely and Smartly
The National Safety Council advises smart shoveling techniques. "While most people won't have a problem, shoveling snow can put some people at risk of heart attack. Sudden exertion, like moving hundreds of pounds of snow after being sedentary for several months, can put a big strain on the heart. Pushing a heavy snow blower also can cause injury. And, there's the cold factor. Cold weather can increase heart rate and blood pressure. It can make blood clot more easily and constrict arteries, which decreases blood supply. This is true even in healthy people. Individuals over the age of 40 or who are relatively inactive should be particularly careful."
Here are tips for shoveling safely:
Wear layered clothing that provides insulation, ventilation, and resistance to water.
Warm up like you would before exercising. Also rest and stretch your back every five to 10 minutes.
Consider staying ahead of the snow and shoveling shortly after the snow begins. Clear the sidewalk and driveway after every few inches.
Lift with your legs while keeping your back straight. Keep your hands farther down the shovel handle, making it feel lighter.
Push the snow instead of lifting and throwing, if possible.
Drink plenty of water while shoveling.
Snow Removal Policy
The City's snow removal policy states that residents should have snow and ice cleared from sidewalks surrounding the property 12 hours after the snow stops falling. If the snow falls at night, residents have 12 hours after sunrise to remove it. Snow and ice must not be placed on city streets.
Commercial property owners must remove snow and ice from sidewalks surrounding the property 6 hours after the snow stops falling. If the snow falls at night, businesses have 6 hours after sunrise to remove it. Snow and ice must not be placed on city streets.
Check on Neighbors
Establish a connection now, before the storm, to check on neighbors in need. Make sure they are set to ride out a storm, and keep them updated on news if they are unable to do so themselves. Help them with shoveling, or offer to find them help.
Adopt a Fire Hydrant
Find the fire hydrant on your street and make a plan to keep it clear of snow and ice. Clear away a three foot zone all around the hydrant for firefighters to work. Also clear a path from the hydrant to the street. (See graphic below.)
More About Snow Emergency Routes
The City's snow emergency routes need to be open for first responders, public safety officials, and road crews at all times and thus have priority for salting, sanding and plowing. Residents and visitors are not permitted to park along these routes during a City-declared Snow Emergency. Vehicles abandoned or parked on snow emergency routes could be ticketed and towed to allow snow removal crews to clear the roads. The traffic emergency routes are as follows, and available on the City's website at www.fallschurchva.gov/SnowRoutes:
Annandale Road from Hillwood Avenue to Broad Street
(both sides of street)
Broad Street from Haycock Road to Seven Corners
(both sides of street)
Columbia Street from Maple Avenue to Tuckahoe Street
(Maple Avenue to Washington St.: both sides of street; Washington Street to Tuckahoe: single side of street)
Great Falls Street from West Street to Washington Street
(both sides of street)
Hillwood Avenue from Washington Street to Seven Corners
(both sides of street)
Lincoln Avenue from West Street to Yucatan Street
(both sides of street)
Little Falls Street from Broad Street to Great Falls Street
(both sides of street)
Maple Avenue from Washington Street to Columbia Street
(single side of street)
Park Avenue from West Street to Washington Street
(both sides of street)
Roosevelt Street from Hillwood Avenue to Roosevelt Boulevard
(both sides of street)
Washington Street from Graham Road to Westmoreland Street
(both sides of street)
West Street from Abbott Lane to Great Falls Street
(Abbott Lane to Broad Street: single side of street; Broad Street to Lincoln Avenue: both sides of street; Lincoln Avenue to Great Falls Street: single side of street)
All Snow Emergency Routes are on both sides of the street, except for the following exceptions:
South West Street
(Abbott Lane to Broad Street; northwest side of street, affecting southbound traffic only)
North West Street
(Lincoln Avenue to Great Falls Street; northwest side of street, affecting southbound traffic only)
East Columbia Street
(Washington Street to Tuckahoe Street; north side of street, affecting westbound traffic only)
South Maple Avenue
(Washington Street to Annandale Road; west side of street, affecting southbound traffic only)
