Danville is under a winter storm warning until 11 a.m. Monday. Snow began falling in Danville around 3 a.m. Sunday.
Heavy snowfall has fallen throughout the day. The National Weather Service office in Blacksburg reports that the heavy snowfall has ended, with light snow and possibly some sleet this evening. Danville has received a snow accumulation today of more than 12 inches.
City Manager Ken Larking has declared a local state of emergency. Police say that citizens should not attempt to travel unless an emergency.
Any citizen in need of shelter should call the non-emergency number for the Emergency Communications Center. That number is (434) 799-5111, option 8. The center will arrange to meet the need.
Public works snowplow crews are scheduled for a round-the-clock snow removal operation. Crews are making a final pass on major thoroughfares. Later tonight, crews will move to streets that connect to primary routes and bus routes, and then into residential streets. Due to the heavy snow accumulation, it is estimated that it will take 36 to 48 hours to clear all residential streets. We do not clear private streets and alleys.
Residents and visitors should not travel if possible. Not only is travel dangerous during a winter storm, but it also will pack the snow accumulation on the street and make the snow removal more difficult. Also, by staying off the streets, crews can clear streets more quickly.
If you must travel, proceed with caution. Only the major thoroughfares have been pretreated. Remember that your car cannot start, stop or turn as quickly and surely on snow as it does on dry pavement, so think and drive accordingly, and be cautious driving and walking in parking lots.
A number of closings and cancellations for public buildings, services and programs have been announced for Monday:
Danville Transit will not operate on Monday. The decision includes all transportation services.
All Parks and Recreation programs scheduled for Monday have been canceled.
All Parks and Recreation facilities, including both library buildings, will be closed.
The James F. Ingram Justice Center (courthouse) will be closed.
The Municipal Building will be closed to the public until noon Monday.
Danville Public Schools also will be closed
Electric customers whose residence or business is without power should call Danville Utilities at (434) 773-8300 to report the outage.
Customers using medical devices must make other arrangements in the event of a power outage and temporarily go to a location or medical facility that does have power. For customers unable to make other arrangements, they should call the non-emergency number for the Emergency Communications Center. That number is (434) 799-5111, option 8. The center will notify one of the participating agencies to meet the need.