Youngkin Issues State of Emergency, Activating Price-Gouging Act Ahead of Remnants of Hurricane Ian

Governor Glenn Youngkin has issued a state of emergency, triggering Virginia’s price-gouging laws ahead of heavy rain and gusty winds, remnants of Hurricane Ian, expected to hit Virginia beginning on Friday.

“In addition to making smart decisions and keeping up with news developments during a statewide emergency declaration, Virginians must also support each other during this potentially hazardous time,” Attorney General Jason Miyares said in a Thursday press release. “Any violations of Virginia’s Anti-Price Gouging Act or exploitation of Virginians’ wallets will be thoroughly prosecuted through the Virginia Consumer Protection Act by my office. Bad actors will be held accountable.”

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Thunderstorm Wind Damages Ten Helicopters at Norfolk Naval Station

Straight line winds damaged ten helicopters at Norfolk Naval Station on Tuesday, according to Military.com. A National Weather Service meteorologist said storm winds weren’t unusually strong.

“Known damages to the aircraft span from broken tail and rotor blades to structural dents and punctures in the airframes,” spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Rob Myers said in a statement to Military.com.

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Virginia Department of Health Closes Vaccination Centers Monday Amid Snowstorm

Virginia’s state-run COVID-19 vaccination centers will be closed on Monday in response to expected inclement weather caused by a snowstorm affecting parts of the state.

None of the state’s Community Vaccination Centers, run by the Virginia Department of Health, will offer any vaccinations for the day. Portions of central, south central and west central Virginia are in a winter storm emergency, according to the National Weather Service. Privately run vaccination centers are not affected by the announcement and will be subject to their own company’s decision on whether to close or remain open.

In a news release, the VDH urged residents who had scheduled appointments for Monday to reschedule as soon as possible. A person can schedule an appointment with one of the centers through vaccinate.virginia.gov or by calling 877-829-4682. Assistance is available in English, Spanish and more than 100 other languages.

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Virginia Department of Health Closes Vaccination Centers Monday Amid Snowstorm

Virginia’s state-run COVID-19 vaccination centers will be closed on Monday in response to expected inclement weather caused by a snowstorm affecting parts of the state.

None of the state’s Community Vaccination Centers, run by the Virginia Department of Health, will offer any vaccinations for the day. Portions of central, south central and west central Virginia are in a winter storm emergency, according to the National Weather Service. Privately run vaccination centers are not affected by the announcement and will be subject to their own company’s decision on whether to close or remain open.

In a news release, the VDH urged residents who had scheduled appointments for Monday to reschedule as soon as possible. A person can schedule an appointment with one of the centers through vaccinate.virginia.gov or by calling 877-829-4682. Assistance is available in English, Spanish and more than 100 other languages.

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Economic Toll of Multiple Winter Storms Could Result in Billions of Dollars in Property, Agricultural Damage

The area currently covered by winter storm warnings over the continental U.S. is larger than the land area of Alaska.

Multiple winter storms are bringing snow, ice and dangerously cold temperatures as more than 100 million Americans are under a winter weather advisory, according to the National Weather Service.

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Rains Trigger Floods Across Virginia and North Carolina, Killing Three

After heavy rain Thursday, Virginia and North Carolina experienced flooding, leading to three deaths in North Carolina. In Farmville, Virginia, authorities rescued boaters on the flooded Appomattox River, according to WWBT.  The Hampton Roads and Suffolk regions experienced flooding closing local roads, while fire crews had to retrieve boats that slipped their moorings due to flooding at the Smith Mountain Lake near Roanoke. Drivers had to be rescued near Salem and Roanoke.

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Heavy Weekend Rain Floods Chesterfield, Prince George Counties

Over ten inches of rain fell in the western part of the Richmond metro area last weekend, surprising residents and triggering evacuations near two local dams. Northern Prince George County also received rainfall from eight to ten inches.

One volunteer weather spotter reported 11.19 inches of rain at a spot in western Chesterfield from Friday night through Sunday morning. Meanwhile, about 15 miles away, the Richmond International Airport received less than four inches of rain.

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