RICHMOND, Va. β With a significant winter storm predicted to bring heavy snow and ice to the Richmond area this weekend, local governments are opening emergency shelters and warming centers to protect unhoused residents from dangerous conditions.
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Richmond Mayor Danny Avula announced that the Salvation Army's Inclement Weather Shelter at 1900 Chamberlayne Avenue opened Friday at 5 p.m. for those in need. The city also plans to activate the Caritas Surge Shelter and an additional emergency shelter during the storm. Officials have not yet provided details about the additional shelters they plan to open.
"Our emergency weather shelters, anyone is welcome. So if you notice a neighbor who is without power who needs to go to that place, that's why we're going to send the location because it's welcome for everyone," Avula said.
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Henrico County has tentative plans to use the Sports and Events Center at Interstate 295 and Interstate 95 for sheltering operations, though the location may change based on need.
"We have plans in place to leverage [the Sports and Events Center], but we also have plans in place to be able to provide other services as needed," said Rob Rowley, chief of emergency management for Henrico County.
Petersburg announced its Comfort Station at 100 W. Washington Street will extend hours starting Saturday at 6 p.m. and remain open through Monday morning.
Hanover County will open three warming centers Sunday at 7 a.m.: Beaverdam Baptist Church at 19110 Beaver Dam Road, Winns Baptist Church at 12320 Winns Church Road, and Fairmount Christian Church at 6502 Creighton Road.
Chesterfield County is not planning to open a shelter to the general public but is working with nonprofits and faith-based groups to help unhoused residents.
The Virginia Department of Social Services said in a statement that if localities need additional support delivering mass care services, "the Virginia Emergency Support Team will work any requests that they receive for support from those localities and coordinate to meet those needs."
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