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Local emergency management officials prepare for possible winter storm impacts in Hampton Roads

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Posted at 3:37 PM, Jan 06, 2022
and last updated 2022-01-06 17:06:34-05

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. — Another round of winter weather is heading our way, and Gov. Ralph Northam declared a state of emergency across the Commonwealth ahead of the storm.

News 3 caught up with local emergency management leaders who explained what this means for Hampton Roads.

"[The state of emergency] allows the state to waive some rules and regulations, like how heavy trucks can be on the interstate. That allows us to get more goods coming down into the state," Sara Ruch, the deputy coordinator of emergency management in James City County, said.

That makes it easier to get resources like salt, sand and places to contact if James City County needs to open shelters.

"It also helps with towing resources that could come in, or generators for buildings in case the power goes out," Ruch said.

In Northam's state of emergency, he said, "Having two bouts of snow and icy weather back-to-back makes it more likely communities will need additional help. Now is the time to get your cars ready, your house ready, and everything else in case you didn't have that on Monday."

As families prepare for the winter weather, another concern is price gouging. Attorney General Mark Herring is raising awareness to protect people from paying high prices for necessities during an emergency.

"Localities can now request the National Guard if they need assistance, and with all of these possible additional requests coming in, the Virginia Emergency Operations center also needs to be fully staffed, so I believe that was also in his order," Ruch said.

The order will also cover expenses for Monday's storm and the coming one.