In a telephone conference call with reporters this afternoon, Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell declared the current blizzard conditions in Northern Virginia are “very dangerous,” citing zero visibility in some areas, seven-to-14 inches of snow from the latest storm, 39-54 mile-per-hour winds and wind chills driving temperatures down to 5-15 degrees. On top of that, he added, temperatures will remain below normal in the region for the coming week.
He said that while the number of reported power outages dropped to 8,200 from its high of 200,000 last weekend, continued snow weighing on trees that could topple onto power lines, and the high winds could lead to more outages. In Virginia, the governor reported three deaths due to the storm, two on the roads. He said that 75 percent of state VDOT and other crews remain deployed at all times, along with National Guard forces, and although there are “fatigue factors,” they will maintain their full operations until the crisis passes.
