During any weather event, it’s important to know who to call if you need assistance. Be sure to save this post and share with your neighbors!
- Power outage or downed line: Dominion Energy at 866-366-4357.
- Natural gas and water leaks, or a downed streetlight: Department of Public Utilities, 804-646-4646, then press 1.
- Trees blocking the road, or a power signal out: Non-emergency Police, 804-646-5100.
- Homelessness crisis: Continuum of Care, 804-972-0813.
To report power outages, downed power lines or damaged electrical equipment, contact Dominion Energy at 1-866-366-4357.
Sign up for Richmond Ready Alerts to receive critical emergency and weather notifications from the city of Richmond. Text RVAREADY to 888-777 to receive a sign-up link or visit rva.gov/richmondreadyalerts to learn more.
Winter Weather Updates
Last updated 2/4/26 at 2:15 p.m.
During Richmond's winter weather season, the City will share information about resources, closures, and delays on this page.
Latest Updates
- 2/10 — City of Richmond Announces Deactivation of Extreme Weather Warming Center
- 2/4 — Trash collection crews are working 6 days a week until services are back to the normally scheduled cycle. If your trash has not been collected, please leave your cans out. Servicing may be completed outside the usual timeframe. While icy conditions remain, there may continue to be alleyways that trucks cannot service, and these will be assessed by team supervisors.
- 2/2 — The State of Emergency declared by Mayor Danny Avula on Jan. 30 at 5 p.m. officially ends at 9 a.m. on Feb. 2, 2026. The lifting of the State of Emergency also included a deactivation of the City Emergency Shelter. Following that deactivation, residents have access to 24-hour Extreme Weather Warming Centers through Monday, February 9. Daytime services are made available at the Main Library (101 E. Franklin St.), and overnight services are at the Linwood Robinson Senior Center (700 N. 26th St.).
- 2/2 (9 a.m.) — Overnight, Snow Removal crews treated nearly all Priority 3 streets.
- 2/1 (10 a.m.) — Without additional snow accumulation, Snow Removal crews focus on around-the-clock treatment of Priority 3 streets with sand, salt, and chemicals to speed up the melting process.
- 1/31 (9 p.m.) — Overnight Snow Removal crews continue a focus on treating Priority 3 streets.
- 1/31 — Richmond’s Human Services Team shares about the City’s sheltering options for people with urgent housing needs
- 1/31 (12 p.m.) — Snow Removal crews continue treating Priority 1 streets and have transitioned back to treating Priority 3 streets.
- 1/31 (8 a.m.) — Snow Removal crews transition to treating Priority 1 & Priority 2 streets
- 1/30 (7 p.m.) — Snow Removal crews transition to pre-treating Priority 1 & Priority 2 streets
- 1/30 — Declaration of Local Emergency, Jan. 30, 2026
- 1/30 — Mayor Danny Avula Announces State of Emergency Due to Approaching Winter Weather
- 1/30 (8 a.m.) — Snow Removal crews transition to treating Priority 3 streets
- 1/29 — Richmond to Activate City Emergency Shelter on Friday Jan. 30
Previous Updates
- 1/28 — City announces a return to regular hours and operations on Thursday, January 29. All City buildings and offices will be open.
- 1/27 — City announces a delayed opening, the end of the City state of emergency, and a deactivation of the City emergency shelter for Wednesday, Jan. 28.
- 1/27 — Dominion Energy crews are working with the City of Richmond to address an outage in the Highland Park area caused by the extreme cold weather. Approximately 78 customers are affected. Crews are working as safely and quickly as possible to restore power and ensure reliability in the area. We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we work to keep you safe and restore service. For the most up-to-date information about power outages, please visit Dominion's Outage Map at outagemap.dominionenergy.com.
- 1/26 — City of Richmond to resume trash collection and bulk and brush services on Jan. 27
- 1/26 — City of Richmond offices to close on Tuesday, 1/27
- 1/26 — RPS announces school and office closure tomorrow, Jan. 27
- 1/26 — GRTC announces suspension of all bus services today, Jan. 26, including CARE
- 1/25 — City of Richmond pauses trash and bulk collection services for Monday, January 26
- 1/25 — Mayor Danny Avula shares fire safety advice
- 1/25 — City of Richmond offices to close on Monday, 1/26
- 1/25 — GRTC announces that services, including CARE, are closed on Sunday, 1/25, due to icy conditions.
- 1/24 — Traffic Advisory: Inclement Weather Road Closures
- 1/24 — Richmond to Activate City Emergency Shelter Ahead of Winter Storm
- 1/23 — Declaration of Local Emergency, Jan. 23, 2026
- 1/23 — January 26, 2026 City Council Informal and Formal Meetings Cancellation
- 1/23 — Mayor Danny Avula Declares State of Emergency Due to Approaching Severe Winter Weather
- 1/23 — Delays Expected with Household Trash & Bulk Collections
- 1/20 — The City is monitoring winter weather forecasts for the weekend of January 24 and 25. As the forecasted impacts become clearer, we will share additional updates.
Snow Removal
The most important priority of the City’s snow removal teams is making sure that major transportation routes are clear for emergencies and for other critical services. Richmond's Street Maintenance teams are working around the clock to improve conditions on our streets.
| Current shift | Next shift | ||||||
Shift | ☀️ Jan. 30 | 🌌 Jan. 30 | ☀️ Jan. 31 | 🌌 Jan. 31 | ☀️ Feb. 1 | 🌌 Feb. 1 | ☀️ Feb. 2 | 🌌 Feb. 2 |
Activity | Treating P3 | Pre-treating P1 & P2 | Treating P1 & P2 | Treating P3 | Treating P3 | Treating P3 | Treating P3 | Treating P3 |
- Feb. 2, 9 a.m. — Throughout the night, Snow Removal crews were able to treat nearly every Priority 3 streets. Next shift: Finish treating remaining Priority 3 streets and begin plowing streets when necessary.
- Feb. 1, 10 a.m. — Throughout the night, Snow Removal crews were able to focus on Priority 3 streets. ~930 miles of Priority 3 streets treated (58%). Next shift: Continued focus on treating Priority 3 streets.
- Jan. 31, 7 p.m. — Throughout the day, Snow Removal crews were able to focus on Priority 3 streets, given the forecast's reduced precipitation. ~800 miles of Priority 3 streets treated (50%). Next shift: Continued focus on treating Priority 3 streets.
- Jan. 31, 7 a.m. — Overnight, Snow Removal crews continued treating Priority 3 streets and began re-treating Priority 1 streets. 100 miles of Priority 1 streets re-treated (14%); ~650 miles of Priority 3 streets treated (41%). Next shift: Continuing to re-treat Priority 1 and Priority 2 streets, and, potentially treating Priority 3 streets.
- Jan. 30, 7 p.m. — 700 miles of Priority 1 streets treated (100%); 200 miles of Priority 2 streets treated (100%); ~600 miles of Priority 3 streets treated (38%). Next shift: Pre-treating Priority 1 and Priority 2 streets ahead of anticipated snow on Saturday, Jan. 31.
- Jan. 30, 1 p.m. — 700 miles of Priority 1 streets treated (100%); 200 miles of Priority 2 streets treated (100%); ~500 miles of Priority 3 streets treated (31%). Next shift: Pre-treating Priority 1 and Priority 2 streets ahead of anticipated snow on Saturday, Jan. 31.
Want to learn about Priority 1, 2, and 3 streets, or curious about the difference between treating and plowing? Visit the City's Snow Removal page for full details.
🔵 — Treated
🟡 — Not yet treated
Traveling in the snow (if you must!)
- Leave early and allow extra travel time.
- Review the GRTC bus schedule to allow for changes related to snow routes and cancellations.
- Slow Down. Reduce your speed, even if the road looks clear, black ice can be hidden.
- Maintain a larger gap between you and the vehicle ahead to allow for better reaction time.
- Keep your vehicle clean! If you need to travel, please completely clean your entire vehicle of all snow & ice from windows, mirrors, the hood, trunk, and roof. As it melts, the ice/snow can break & strike other cars behind you. If you don't completely remove snow and ice from your car you could be cited for reckless driving or negligence and/or be sued for negligence if ice flies off your car and causes an accident or damages or hurts someone
- Watch out for black ice! Be aware of areas icy areas like bridges and shady spots which freeze before other areas.
- Keep an emergency winter kit in your car.
Driving safely with snowplows
- Don't tailgate: Give plows plenty of space to work.
- Maintain a safe distance: Plows may suddenly slow down.
- Be mindful of blind spots: Snowplows have large blind spots, especially on the sides and behind them. If you can't see their mirrors, they likely can't see you.
- Yield to snowplows when they are clearing intersections: They may not have the flexibility to move out of your way.
- Don't pass a snowplow.
Winter Safety
- In case of power outages, have emergency supplies on hand, including food, water, and flashlights.
- Never use stoves or ovens as a heat source. Use only safe sources of alternative heat such as a fireplace or a portable space heater. Watch Mayor Danny Avula's video on safety for alternative heat sources.
- Be cautious when using a generator and ensure that it is positioned outdoors in a well-ventilated area, away from windows and doors to prevent carbon monoxide buildup inside your home.
- Limit your time outside. If you need to go outside, then wear layers of warm clothing.
- Be vigilant when walking outdoors; icy surfaces can pose a hazard. Ensure that walkways and driveways are cleared of snow and ice to prevent slips and falls.
- Secure and reinforce all windows, roofs, doors, and garage doors.
- Continue to monitor weather conditions and stay informed through trusted sources, like local news outlets and The National Weather Service Wakefield.
- Learn about the City's snow removal procedures.
