Fredericksburg Declares Local Emergency

The City of Fredericksburg has declared a local emergency and continues to monitor the weather forecast, according to Natatia Bledsoe, Public Information Officer with the Fredericksburg Police Department.   

The Emergency Operations Center in Fredericksburg is open and staffed in order to manage the City's response to the damage that is anticipated from the high winds and heavy rain, said Bledsoe in a press release. Most city departments will have extra staff on duty throughout the course of the storm and into the aftermath.

The Fredericksburg area is expected to receive four to eight inches of total rainfall over the duration of the storm, and sustained winds of 30 - 40 mph are expected. The wind should peak around 10 p.m. Monday with gusts of up to 60 mph, and strong winds will continue through noon on Tuesday, said Bledsoe.  

Widespread power outages, downed trees, and localized flooding are likely.  In the event of a power outage, residents should contact Dominion Power at 1-866-366-4357 (1-800-DOM-HELP).

The Rappahannock River is expected to reach flood stage of 18 feet at about 2 p.m. on Tuesday, and crest at 19.5 feet at 2 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 31. Those affected by river flooding should be preparing now to protect their property.

The City has a pre-determined location for an emergency shelter already identified, and personnel are on standby to respond and staff the shelter if necessary, said Bledsoe.  

Should there be a need for a shelter in Fredericksburg, announcements will be posted to local media, on the city website, via Fredericksburg Alert, and on social media. If a shelter is opened, residents should be prepared to bring the following items with them:

• Blankets, pillows, sleeping bag and/or sleeping mats
• Medication and personal hygiene items
• Food and bottled water
• Books, magazines, games, toys

Dogs and cats will be allowed, but residents will be required to provide a crate, food and water for each animal. Owners must remain with their animal at all times, and no contact will be allowed between animals and other shelter residents.