Virginia braces for major snowstorm as Youngkin urges residents to stay home

Virginia is bracing for a snowstorm that could dump several inches across the state, and Gov. Glenn Youngkin has a clear message: Stay home and stay prepared as the state of emergency that he declared ahead of last week’s weather event remains intact.

“We declared this, now, 10 days ago, but I need everybody to understand that the state of emergency continues, and if there wasn’t one that had already been declared, I would be declaring one today,” Youngkin said during a news conference in Richmond Tuesday. 

A fresh round of winter weather is set to hit Virginia Wednesday, with heavy snowfall expected to begin in the evening and continue into Thursday. Forecasters say this storm is part of a larger pattern of February winter systems sweeping across the region.

While the Baltimore-Washington, D.C., area may see only light snow showers midweek, Southeastern Virginia is likely to bear the brunt of the storm. According to the National Weather Service, that part of the state is expected to receive the heaviest accumulation, with conditions potentially disrupting travel and daily routines.

State agencies are in full preparation mode, Youngkin said. Road crews are treating highways, plows are at the ready, and coordination is underway between State Police, the Virginia Department of Transportation, and the National Guard.

Following last month’s snowstorm, which led to a water plant mishap in Richmond and a weeklong boil water advisory, Youngkin said the state is also working closely with water treatment facilities to prevent similar issues.

“Stay at home and make sure that you have good provisions at home,” Youngkin said. “I do not want anyone on the roads after midnight tonight.”

Keeping streets clear, he emphasized, will allow crews to prevent ice buildup, ensure first responders can reach those in need, and speed up post-storm recovery efforts.

Attorney General Jason Miyares is warning businesses against taking advantage of the storm, emphasizing that his office is ready to investigate any cases of price-gouging. Residents who believe they’ve been overcharged due to the weather emergency are encouraged to report it.

The approaching winter storm is expected to blanket central Virginia and Hampton Roads with several inches of snow, while Northern Virginia is likely to see lighter accumulation. Meanwhile, Southwest Virginia is still dealing with the aftermath of last week’s storm, which caused power outages and flooding across multiple roadways.

In Richmond, city officials are taking precautions by closing the flood wall ahead of the storm. The city’s inclement weather shelter will remain open continuously starting Wednesday, with an overflow shelter available through Saturday. Youngkin said local officials are working to inform the unhoused population of available shelter options.

“This will be a 24-hour snow event,” Youngkin warned. “There may be breaks along the way, but heavy snow for 24 hours.”