State of Emergency For Spotsylvania County as Jan 22 2026

Press Release: Spotsylvania prepares for Winter Storm Fern, urges residents to plan ahead.

This weekend, a significant winter storm is likely to hit large parts of Virginia, including Spotsylvania County. Heavy snow is possible, and some areas may see freezing rain or ice accumulation. Spotsylvania is monitoring the storm through the National Weather Service and is sharing information with local and state partners, including Virginia Department of Emergency Management, VDOT, Rappahannock Electric Cooperative and Dominion Energy to ensure the county is prepared for possible impacts and is adjusting plans accordingly. The Sheriff’s Office is increasing staff to make sure there are adequate resources available to assist residents during the storm, if necessary.

Spotsylvania County status:

• Spotsylvania County is preparing for Winter Storm Fern, which is expected to bring snow, sleet, and/or freezing rain over the weekend.

• Extreme cold is also a major concern. The county has designated warming center/shelter locations if power outages become an issue. The county’s mass care team is coordinating resources if opening is imminent.

• Spotsylvania County has declared a local emergency, effective today, Jan. 22, 2026. This will be in effect for the duration of the event. A local declaration allows a city or county to request additional resources from the state, bypass certain procurement procedures to speed up repairs, and activate local emergency operations plans.

• Gov. Abigail Spanberger declared a state of emergency today, Jan. 22, 2026, that will allow state agencies to be prepared for impacts across the Commonwealth.

• The Commonwealth of Virginia, Virginia Department of Emergency Management, Region 2, Regional Coordination Center is hosting NWS calls and Regional Coordination calls, daily.

• Spotsylvania’s Emergency Operations Center is monitoring the storm and will transition to partial activation Jan. 24, 2026, at 7 p.m. All Emergency Support Functions are preparing staff and equipment in advance of the storm.

The county will continue to update the public via its social media channels throughout the weather event. County residents are urged to sign up to receive emergency alerts through the county’s mass notification system, Spotsy Alert, and to follow @SpotsyGov on Facebook for updates.

Once the storm hits, residents are asked to refrain from driving in dangerous road conditions and to stay off roads unless it is unavoidable. Residents should not call 911 unless it is an emergency. Instead, please use the non-emergency number, 540-582-7115.

Below are resources and safety tips available for Spotsylvania County residents to help prepare for and stay safe during the storm.

Emergency Alerts & Resources:

• Register for Spotsy Alert to receive emergency and severe weather updates: member.everbridge.net/453003085614481/login

• Follow Spotsylvania County’s Facebook page @SpotsyGov

Weather Updates:

• Monitor the National Weather Service: weather.gov

• Local weather updates: US National Weather Service Baltimore/Washington

• FEMA winter weather page: ready.gov/winter-weather

• VDEM winter weather page: vaemergency.gov/winter-weather

Be Prepared:

• Monitor forecasts and alerts and adjust travel plans early.

• Bring pets indoors and check on neighbors.

• Charge phones, batteries, and medical devices.

• Stock water, nonperishable food, medications, and warmth essentials.

• Ensure every family member has their own flashlight and fresh batteries.

• Only use generators, grills and camp stoves outdoors and away from windows.

• Keep indoor temperatures consistent and keep space heaters clear.

• Close gaps around doors and windows to seal air leaks.

• Build a kit and check out #WINTERREADY for tips and resources: ready.gov/winter-ready#resources.

• Ensure smoke alarms are working. County residents who need help testing or installing a battery-operated alarm should call 540-507-7925 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or 540-582-7115 after hours.

• Protect pipes and cover outdoor faucets. Find tips for winterizing plumbing here: spotsylvania.va.us/1727/Winterize-Your-Plumbing

• Know how to shut off your water in case of a burst pipe.

• To report a possible water main break, or sanitary sewer backup or overflow, call 540-507-7300, #2. To report a water or sanitary sewer service emergency after normal business hours, weekends or holidays, call 540-507-7350.

Travel Information:

• VDOT’s free mobile 511 app offers information about weather, construction, traffic, incidents and more. By calling 511 from any phone in Virginia, use 511’s “speak ahead” option for hands-free and eyes-free audible traffic alerts for incidents and construction along your route. Traffic information is also available at 511.vdot.virginia.gov.

• For questions or to report hazardous road conditions, contact VDOT’s 24-hour Customer Service Center by visiting my.vdot.virginia.gov or calling 800-FOR-ROAD (367-7623).

• Join VDOT Fredericksburg’s Facebook group at VDOT Fredericksburg District.

• If you must travel during inclement weather, keep an emergency kit in your car: https://www.vdot.virginia.gov/travel-traffic/driver-safety/weather/#d.e…

Power Outages:

• Visit ready.gov/power-outages for tips and resources.

Reporting Power Outages:

• REC: 800-552-3904; outage map: https://outagemap.myrec.coop/

• Dominion: 866-366-4357; outage map: outagemap.dominionenergy.com

Health:

• If someone in your home requires electricity for a serious medical condition, please consider an alternate location with power that you can rely on during an outage.

• To report a health emergency or request emergency services, call 911. Use the non-emergency phone number 540-582-7115 for other situations.

Food Safety:

• Monitor your fridge and freezer temps with appliance thermometers: 40° F or lower in the refrigerator, 0° F or lower in the freezer.

• Freeze water in small bags or containers to slot between foods, keeping cold in, but don’t overfill — water expands when it freezes.

• Freeze leftovers, dairy, and meats that you may not need immediately to keep them at a safe temperature longer.

• Have insulated coolers ready to safeguard refrigerator food in the event a power outage lasts more than four hours.

• Group food tightly together in the freezer — this “igloo” effect helps the food stay cold longer.

• Keep a few days’ worth of ready-to-eat foods that do not require cooking or cooling.

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