Sunday 9 a.m. update.

VDOT, town and county plows are out in full force this morning, cleaning up the 9-plus inches of snow that Winter Storm Jonas left The Heart of Virginia.

According to radio station WFLO, the area’s National Weather Service cooperative observer, Farmville received over 9 inches of snow over the last two days.

Part of South Main Street in downtown Farmville was temporarily blocked this morning to vehicular traffic to allow for snow removal.

Local power companies kept outages to a minimum over the weekend. No power outages are reported this morning by Central Virginia Electric Cooperative, Southside Electric Cooperative or Dominion Virginia Power in The Herald’s three-county coverage area.

VDOT says that snow and ice remain on roadways across Buckingham, Cumberland and Prince Edward counties.

Saturday, 9 p.m. update

Winter Storm Jonas is on the way out, and and only a few power outages remain.

Central Virginia Electric Cooperative has two outages in Buckingham while Southside Electric Cooperative and Dominion Virginia Power list no outages for The Herald’s three county coverage area.

Saturday, 7 p.m. update

Plowed primary and snow-covered secondary routes could become slick and dangerous tonight, according to VDOT.

“Even major roads may be slick in places, especially during overnight and early morning hours,” the agency said in a tweet.

While some town roads were slushy during daylight hours, they could become ice tonight.

“As evening sets in and temperatures begin to drop, Virginians are reminded to stay safe by staying indoors. Road conditions remain hazardous with drifting snow and white-out conditions across much of the state,” said Virginia State Police spokeswoman Corinne Geller.

While strong winds continue to threaten the area tonight, only two power outages are currently reported in the Herald’s coverage area. Central Virginia Electric Cooperative has two outages in Buckingham while Southside Electric Cooperative and Dominion Virginia Power list no outages for The Herald’s three-county coverage area.

At around 5 p.m. across the state, state police units were responding to 17 traffic crashes and 63 disabled vehicles.

In addition to staying off of the roads, police are also urging individuals to stay indoors to avoid freezing temperatures and dangers associated with drifting snow.

Snowfall has reached 10 inches in some areas.

Saturday, 5 p.m. update

Though the snow has stopped falling in parts of the area, VDOT crews continue to plow primary routes across the Heart of Virginia.

VDOT says that roads in the are are generally snow covered.

“Primary routes in those counties are currently in minor to moderate condition,” VDOT spokeswoman Paula Jones said of The Herald’s coverage area. “There is snow in some places, but the crews hope to have many of these in clear to minor conditions this evening. That said, there will still be the potential for icy conditions.”

Additional snow accumulation may reach three inches tonight, according to the state’s department of emergency management and the National Weather Service.

Crews with the Town of Farmville and Longwood University are working to clear streets and sidewalks as night approaches.

“Please stay off of the roads tomorrow and Monday if you can and let us do our job to keep you safe and our community safe,” Gov. Terry McAuliffe said during a media briefing on the commonwealth’s response to the severe winter weather.

McAuliffe and Virginia emergency response officials said they are working with hundreds of state and local employees statewide to minimize the number of weather-related issues.

The power outage report for Saturday evening is an optimistic one. Currently there are no outages  reported by Southside Electric Cooperative, Dominion Virginia Power or Central Virginia Electric Cooperative in The Herald’s coverage area.

Saturday, 3 p.m. update

Almost 9 inches of snow has been recorded in Cumberland, according to weather watcher April Whaley, and nearly 11 inches in Meherrin, according to weather watcher Cheryl Cook. Weather watcher Jane Poulter in Buckingham has reported about 14 inches.

U.S. Routes 15 and 60 are snow covered in Buckingham and Cumberland. Parts of Main Street, High Street, and Third Street in Farmville are slushy, but mostly snow covered. Route 45, Trent’s Mill Road and Airport Road are also snow covered. Main Street and Oak Street in Dillwyn are also snow covered. Parts of the area’s primary roads are passable.

Power outages remain minimal at mid-afternoon Saturday.

Currently no outages are being reported by Southside Electric Cooperative, Dominion Virginia Power and Central Virginia Electric Cooperative in The Herald’s coverage area.

Prince Edward County officials said in a statement that since the start of the storm at about 8:00 a.m., Friday, Jan. 22, the county has received 8-to-10 inches of snowfall, including a heavy layer of sleet late yesterday evening and overnight. An additional two-to-four inches of snow is expected Saturday, Jan. 23, “diminishing throughout the day and clearing out by midnight.”

There are no power outages in Prince Edward at this time, and the primary thoroughfares in the county — U.S. Routes 460, 360, 15 — are passable with caution.

Clearing of heavier-traveled secondary roads began today, but will be put off if conditions of the primaries begin to deteriorate.

“Please stay home and stay off roads for their safety and to enable storm recovery efforts,” said Emergency Management Coordinator Sarah Elam Puckett.

Gov. Terry McAuliffe and Virginia public safety officials continue to urge Virginians to stay off of the roads as the Commonwealth’s response to severe winter weather goes on.

“The Commonwealth of Virginia is devoting every available resource to keeping communities safe as Winter Storm ‘Jonas’ continues to impact our entire state,” said McAuliffe.

Saturday, 1 p.m. Update

Snow continues to fall across The Heart of Virginia, making major thoroughfares, such as U.S. Routes 15, 60, West Third Street, Main Street and High Street dangerous.

Measurements of up to 8 inches across the area have been reported.

Power outages remain minimal at mid-day Saturday.

Currently no outages are reported by Southside Electric Cooperative, Dominion Virginia Power and Central Virginia Electric Cooperative in The Herald’s coverage area. Dominion is reporting three customers without power in Charlotte County.

“Trying to whisper so as not to jinx us, things are surprisingly well so far,” said Kevin Flippen, Emergency Services Coordinator for Buckingham County. “It appears the forecast track missed us some and the totals have not been what National Weather Service was calling for. The wind has been about what was forecast although.  It appears no power outages here in Buckingham on the Dominion or CVEC outage map at this time. Fingers crossed it stays that way!”

Southside Virginians continue to keep accidents to a minimum in spite of the snowfall continuing to come down at a rapid rate.

From midnight until 10 a.m., Division three responded to around 13 traffic crashes and 25 disabled vehicles, according to Virginia State Police.

As of 11:30 this morning, state police across the commonwealth were on the scene of 39 traffic accidents and 27 disabled vehicles, they said.

“Virginia State Police continue to respond to multiple calls this morning across the commonwealth for disabled and crashed vehicles. Road conditions continue to be treacherous and Virginians are still advised to stay off the roads,” said state police spokeswoman Corinne Geller.

She said several more inches have been predicted, thus making travel dangerous.  

Saturday, 11 a.m update

All college sports events scheduled for this weekend have been postponed due to massive amounts of snowfall.

“Due to forecasted inclement weather, the Longwood men’s and women’s home basketball games, originally scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 23, have been postponed 24 hours to Sunday, Jan. 24,” stated a release from Longwood University Athletics. “The Longwood women will open the Sunday doubleheader against Liberty at 2 p.m. in Willett Hall, followed by the Longwood men’s matchup against Winthrop at 5 p.m.”

Hampden-Sydney College was scheduled to travel to Eastern Mennonite today for a 3 p.m. game. That game will now be played on Monday at 6 p.m.

Longwood’s women’s tennis spring-opener at Richmond scheduled for Sunday has also been postponed. That match will be played on Sunday, Feb. 5 instead.

Snowfall amounts have reached almost 10 inches in many areas across The Heart of Virginia.

While snow, sleet and strong winds continue, no outages are currently reported by Southside Electric Cooperative, Dominion Virginia Power and Central Virginia Electric Cooperative in The Herald’s coverage area.

As the snow continues to blanket Southside Virginia, Local law enforcement agencies continue to see a minimal number of accidents across the area.

The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Department has only seen three weather-related incidents, with no additional accidents occurring during the night hours.

The Buckingham County Sheriff’s Department said they have been fortunate that most people have followed warnings to stay off the roads during Jonas. Because of this, they said no major or minor accidents had really occurred in the area.

“On Friday, Virginia State Police responded to a total 1,032 traffic crashes and another 879 disabled vehicles across the Commonwealth.”

State police advises all citizens to avoid travel. However, if travel is necessary, buckle up, clear all snow from the vehicle and drive slow for the road conditions.

A Winter Storm Warning was issued today at 10:08 a.m. by the National Weather Service, and is in effect until tomorrow at 7 a.m.

Saturday, 9 a.m update

Most primary and secondary routes are snow covered across The Heart of Virginia this morning as snow continues to fall — approaching 10 inches in some areas.

With another four inches expected Saturday, a Winter Storm Warning remains in effect for the area, according to the National Weather Service.

“Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) crews remained fully-involved in winter weather response mode overnight in the 10-county Lynchburg District and efforts will continue today,” said VDOT spokeswoman Paula Jones.

VDOT’s goal is to have all state-maintained roads passable within 48 hours after a storm ends. Passable does not mean that there will necessarily be bare pavement, she said.

“The snow and cold temperatures will make driving conditions dangerous and travel is not encouraged. Visibility may also be an issue due to blowing and drifting snow.”

Local power cooperatives and companies continue to keep outages to a minimum this morning despite gusty winds, snow and below-freezing temperatures.

Currently no outages are reported by Southside Electric Cooperative in Buckingham, Charlotte, Cumberland, Lunenburg, or Prince Edward. Amelia is still a problem with 140 outages still active.

Dominion Virginia Power has seven customers without power in Cumberland and three in Buckingham.

Central Virginia Electric Cooperative reports 19 customers without power, with six southeast of Scottsville.

By 7 a.m. on Saturday, Virginia State Police were on the scene of 17 crashes and 25 disabled vehicles, according to state police spokeswoman Corinne Geller.

However, the majority of incidents continue to occur in the Hamptons Roads, Metro-Richmond and Northern Virginia areas.

Geller said the most common emergency calls overnight were for disabled vehicles. During the night hours, statewide statistics indicated that state troopers responded to 145 accidents and 229 disabled vehicles.

Geller said, “as folks wake up to another day of snow and frigid temperatures, they are reminded to still avoid traveling on Virginia’s highways. Winds have now picked up causing snow to drift and pile up across interstates and primary routes, which make driving even more dangerous. State police ask Virginians to remain patient one more day until the storm has moved out and roads are cleared and safe for travel.”

At this time, only one weather-related fatality has been reported in the state, she said.

Friday, 10 p.m update

Heavy sleet is falling across the region — making driving treacherous and increasing the risk of potential power outages as wind gusts compliment the precipitation.

Sleet and gusty winds are continuing  over The Herald’s coverage area tonight, increasing the possibility of widespread power outages.

Currently Southside Electric Cooperative (SEC) is reporting an outage problem only Amelia where 141 customers are without power.

One power outage is reported by Dominion Virginia Power in Charlotte, and Central Virginia Electric Cooperative continues to report no outages.

At around 7:26 p.m., Virginia State Police responded to the scene of a weather-related incident in Prince Edward County.

Matthew A. Fitzgibbon, of Chesapeake, was driving a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee on U.S. Route 460 west, just one mile west of Route 626 in Prospect when he lost control due to snowy conditions, according to Virginia State Police.

State Police said Fitzgibbon ran off the right-hand side of the road, hit the ditch and overturned.

No injuries were reported in this incident and no charges were placed due to hazardous road conditions at the time of the accident.

Trooper A.C. Goss was the investigating officer in this incident.

“VDOT crews will remain fully deployed in 12-hour shifts as potentially significant sleet and additional snow are expected to impact the area during this weather event,” said VDOT spokeswoman Paula Jones. “VDOT’s goal is to have all state-maintained roads passable within 48 hours after a storm ends. Passable does not mean that there will necessarily be bare pavement.”

Dangerous driving conditions are likely during this event and travel is not encouraged,” she said. “Visibility may also be an issue due to blowing and drifting snow and fast rates of precipitation.”

Friday, 8 p.m. update

Heavy sleet is beginning to fall across portions of The Heart of Virginia on top of up to seven inches of snow that fell today across Southside and Central Virginia.

The local power outage count is experiencing a lull before tonight’s predicted storm that could include high winds and possibly even thunder.

Southside Electric Cooperative (SEC) reports one outage in Prince Edward, while Amelia is back in the spotlight with 261.

Dominion Virginia Power reports 72 customers without power in Charlotte and two in Cumberland.

Central Virginia Electric Cooperative continues to report no outages.

Roads in Farmville and surrounding counties are covered in snow.

Roadways may soon become hazardous, according to VDOT’s Paula Jones.

“VDOT crews will remain fully deployed in 12-hour shifts as potentially significant sleet and additional snow are expected to impact the area during this weather event. VDOT’s goal is to have all state-maintained roads passable within 48 hours after a storm ends. Passable does not mean that there will necessarily be bare pavement.”

 

Accidents across Southside Virginia continue to remain relatively low; however, dropping temperatures could create extremely hazardous road conditions.

According to Virginia State Police spokeswoman Corinne Geller, “as temperatures drop overnight, and snow and sleet continue to blanket the state. State police and VDOT are still stressing to Virginians not to travel unless absolutely necessary. Highways will only get worse during the overnight hours and any travel will be treacherous, no matter how slow one drives.”

A press release from the State Police said units have responded to 841 weather-related accidents and 607 disabled vehicles across the state.

Division Three has seen a slight increase in accidents, totaling 56 crashes and 36 disabled vehicles.

State police said at 7:15 p.m., Virginia State Trooper were currently on the scene of 33 crashes and 15 disabled vehicles.

Friday, 6 p.m. update

Winter Storm Jonas’ precipitation has turned to sleet, which could make roads treacherous and increase the possibility of losing electricity tonight. Winds have also started to gust.

Roads — including U.S. Routes 15, 60, Route 45, High Street and Third Street — throughout Buckingham, Farmville, Prince Edward and Cumberland are snow covered.

Reported snow measurements have ranged between 5 and 7 inches.

Power outage numbers are looking better — at least for the time being.

Southside Electric Cooperative (SEC) reports two outages in Prince Edward, one in Charlotte County and two in Cumberland. Nearby Amelia and Powhatan are also showing fewer outages with 88 in Amelia and none in Powhatan.

Dominion Virginia Power and Central Virginia Electric Cooperative are both showing no outages at this time.

Local traffic and reported accidents remain minimal, according to police.

According to Virginia State Police spokeswoman Corinne Geller, “as of 4:30 p.m. Friday, Virginia Troopers are currently on scene of 96 crashes and 23 disabled vehicles statewide.”

Division Three reports a total of 49 traffic crashes across the area and 25 disabled vehicles according to state police.

“State police and VDOT are still stressing to Virginians not to travel unless absolutely necessary,” Geller said.

 

Friday, 4 p.m. update

Several inches of snow has fallen across The Heart of Virginia, covering primary and secondary roads, making driving tricky and closing businesses.

According to weather watcher Angela Perkinson, of Meherrin, over 5 and a half inches have fallen.

As of 3 p.m. on Friday, the Farmville Communications Center and the local sheriff’s department in Buckingham and Cumberland said the number of dispatched calls for weather-related accidents continues to remain low.

According to the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, only three weather-related incidents have been reported.

State police public relations director Corinne Geller said, “Virginia State Police dispatch centers have fielded 1,135 calls for service with 380 of those for traffic crashes and 340 for disabled vehicles. There are no reported traffic fatalities at this time. The majority of the crashes have involved damage to vehicles only.”

Currently, Virginia State Troopers are on the scene of 118 crashes and 28 disabled vehicles statewide, Geller said. “The majority of crashes are occurring in the Metro-Richmond region and Hampton Roads,” she said

As of 3 p.m., division three has seen 48 traffic crashes and 22 disabled vehicles.

“Traffic has been light much of the day due to employees using leave or businesses, schools and agencies being closed and this has allowed Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) crews in the 10-county Lynchburg District to safely and confidently work from the onset of this extended winter storm,” said VDOT spokeswoman Paula Jones.

“Snow totals up to 7 inches have been reported in portions of the district in the south-central part of the commonwealth. Roads across the district are snow-covered as the winter precipitation continues to fall …,” she said. “Dangerous driving conditions are likely during this event and travel is not encouraged. Visibility may also be an issue due to blowing and drifting snow and fast rates of precipitation.”

Power outages are increasing in the area at the mid-afternoon point.

Southside Electric Cooperative (SEC) reported one outage in Prince Edward, one in Charlotte County and 270 in Cumberland. Nearby Amelia and Powhatan are not faring as well with 2,079 outages in Amelia and 3,084 in Powhatan.

Dominion Virginia Power now reports only two outages in Powhatan and none in The Herald’s coverage area.

No outages have been reported by Central Virginia Electric Cooperative.

“Nothing much new here,” said Kevin Flippen, Buckingham’s Emergency Services Coordinator.  “No shelters are open, but in the event of power failure the nursing home in Dillwyn has agreed to let people who need to recharge their oxygen machines.  They can also do that at the Dillwyn rescue squad building.  Patients going to either place need to bring their own equipment. Again, this will only be if power is lost.”

Friday, 1 p.m. Update

The snow continues to accumulate across The Heart of Virginia as Winter Storm Jonas makes itself known.

The Prince Edward County Board of Supervisors declared a state of emergency Thursday evening and warned people to “be prepared to take care of yourself and your family for at least 72 hours, in case roads are blocked and/or there are power outages.” The county also warned people to check on elderly and homebound neighbors, family and friends to make sure they are prepared; and to bring pets in from the cold. Those requiring emergency shelter are asked to call the non-emergency number for the Farmville Communications Center at (434) 392-3332 or the Prince Edward Sheriff’s Office at (434) 392-8101.

According to Trent’s Mill resident April Whaley, three inches of snow has already fallen.

“My daughter just got home from work,” said Cheryl Cook, of Prince Edward. “She said it took her a hour and 45 minutes to travel about 20 miles (from Blackstone). None of the roads have been salted or plowed yet, but the 360/460 area in Burkeville has had a little done,” she said.

As of Friday around 11 a.m., Virginia State Police has reported a total of 10 traffic crashes and 6 disabled vehicles across Division Three.

Division three includes the counties of Charlotte, Prince Edward, Lunenburg, Buckingham, Cumberland, Mecklenburg, Halifax, Appomattox, Campbell, Amherst, Fluvanna, Augusta, Albemarle, Greene and Nelson.

According to state police public relations director Corinne Geller, from around Friday at Midnight through 11 a.m., there have been a total of 68 crashes statewide and 174 disabled vehicles.

“Virginia State Police are still advising Virginians not to drive if at all possible,” she said. No fatalities have been reported.

Outages are starting to occur in the area, although only one, in Prospect, has been reported in The Herald’s three-county coverage area.

Southside Electric Cooperative (SEC) reported one outage in Prospect that is currently under investigation. In nearby Amelia, SEC reported 1,071 customers without power.

Dominion Virginia Power reported 1,266 customers without power, also in Amelia.

No outages have been reported by Central Virginia Electric Cooperative.

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Friday, 12 p.m. Update

Two inches of snow has fallen across The Heart of Virginia.

According to Centra Southside’s Facebook page, the Centra Southside Medical Center in Farmville will be closed Friday and Saturday.
“Centra Southside Neurology, Women’s Center, Dr. Bal’s office, and General Surgery will be closed today,” the statement read.

In an automated call, the Town of Farmville advised residents to stay off of the roads due to the deteriorating conditions.

County governments are monitoring the snowfall, and say if power fails, shelters may be opened.

Angela Perkinson of Meherrin says the snow has been falling for some time now.

Sherry Rockhill, of Redd Shop, said she’s received about 2 and a half inches of snow.

“Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) crews are fully deployed across the 10-county Lynchburg District this morning as potentially significant ice, freezing rain, sleet and snow up to 2 feet or more in depth are expected to impact the area over the next two days,” said VDOT spokeswoman Paula Jones.

“VDOT crews are prepared for this first major winter storm and will be working in 12-hour shifts during and after the storm. Their goal is to have all state-maintained roads passable within 48 hours after a storm ends. Passable does not mean that there will necessarily be bare pavement.”

The Virginia Department of Emergency Management said Friday morning that “A significant winter storm today into Sunday morning … Winter storm warning remains in effect until 7 a.m. Sunday … Areas affected: Central Virginia and interior Northern Neck Virginia … Hazards: heavy snow, gusty winds … Storm total accumulations: 7-15 inches.”

No power outages have been reported, according to electric utilities.

————

Friday, 9 a.m. Update

Winter Storm Jonas has arrived in the Heart of Virginia.

According to weather watchers Lisa Jones in Buckingham, Cheryl Cook in Prince Edward, April V. Whaley in Cumberland, Alli Dut in Buckingham and Jane Poulter in Buckingham, the snow is falling fast.

See submitted photos from the storm at https://farmvilleherald.smugmug.com/Winter-Storm-Jonas/.

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Thursday, 5:00 p.m. Update

Longwood University in Farmville will be closed Friday in anticipation of Winter Storm Jonas, according to Longwood spokeswoman Sabrina Brown.

Graduate classes are also canceled for Saturday, she said.

Public schools in  Buckingham, Cumberland and Prince Edward counties have announced their closure for Friday.

Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe and the Town of Farmville both declared states of emergency today in advance of the winter storm, which is expected to bring up to two feet of snow and gusty winds on Friday and Saturday.

Buckingham County General District Court scheduled for Friday has been cancelled, according to the Buckingham County Sheriff’s Office.

“If you have a case pending on this date, you will be notified in writing when your case is rescheduled. The General District Court offices will also be closed on this date as well,” the release stated.