Accomack County EM working on getting ice-breaking unit for storm

Accomack County Emergency Management and local and state partners have been preparing for the upcoming severe winter weather system for several days. 

Here is a current situational update, from the agency:

Governor Abigail Spanberger has declared a State of Emergency in Virginia.  We have not declared a Local State of Emergency, but expect to in coordination with the Town of Chincoteague and Northampton County at 8 a.m. Jan. 24. This will allow the county to mobilize and stage additional resources if needed and to act more quickly if response efforts require it.

Concerns regarding extended cold and ice build up were considered in regards to the emergency access of Tangier Island.  A resource request for an ice breaking unit was made through the State, and sent to Maryland to be filled through EMAC.  Tentative approval was received, and details are being finalized.

Virginia Department of Transportation has allocated additional resources to their already fully staffed operations.  Beginning at 4 p.m. Jan. 24, VDOT will be mobilizing its units, including the additional four front-end loaders, 6 medium/light-duty plows, and 8 large/heavy-duty plows for the duration of the event.

The National Guard has sent a debris team which will stage in Accomack County during the storm.  Requests for assistance from this unit will be through Emergency Management and sent to the State EOC.

Emergency Management reached out to Painter, Onancock, and Saxis regarding the potential need for support through the utilization of their high-wheeled vehicles and snow plows, respectively.

Our County EOC will act under a virtual partial activation throughout the event.

No shelters are planned during the storm. Pending an extended power outage, shelters or warming centers may be considered, and partnering agencies are monitoring and ready.

Facebook messaging continues as the county pushes out information on how to prepare, what to have on hand, and how to stay warm during a power outage.  Please share content from the County of Accomack Facebook page to help us reach as many residents as possible.

As always, thank you all for your support, in blue sky days as well as during emergencies.  Our community is prepared thanks to everyone’s cooperation and hard work. 

Now let’s hope the storm misses us!