Henrico County, VA – Henrico County’s first responders faced a challenging day on Wednesday, February 12, as they handled hundreds of calls in the aftermath of a winter storm that swept through Central Virginia. The storm, which began on Tuesday, February 11, brought a mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain, leading to hazardous conditions throughout the region.
From midnight until 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, firefighters from the Henrico County Division of Fire and officers from the Henrico County Police Division responded to more than 500 calls. The majority of these calls were related to fallen trees, power outages, and traffic issues caused by the inclement weather.
Among the calls, officers responded to 110 traffic accidents and 243 utility-related issues. Firefighters handled four calls about trees that had fallen into homes and nearly 100 calls related to electrical hazards. Crews also worked diligently to clear roads and assist those affected by the storm’s widespread impact.
In particular, power outages left many intersections without functioning traffic lights. In light of this, the Henrico County Police Division reminded drivers to treat any intersection with a non-functioning traffic light as a four-way stop.
Despite the storm’s intensity, there have been no reports of significant injuries. However, local fire officials issued a stern warning about the dangers posed by downed power lines, emphasizing the importance of safety.
Henrico Fire Chief Jackson Baynard urged residents to stay clear of any downed power lines. “We can’t overstate that you should never approach a downed line,” Baynard stated in a press release. “It’s best to always assume downed wires are hot wires.”
Authorities are advising anyone who encounters downed power lines to call 911 immediately or contact Dominion Energy at 1-866-366-4357 to report the hazard.
As Henrico County continues to recover from the storm, first responders remain vigilant, ensuring the safety and well-being of residents as they navigate through the aftermath of this winter weather event.
