Culpeper County declares local state of emergency

As heavy wet snow continued to fall, winds picked up and reports of the number of county residents without power increased, Culpeper County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Sue Hansohn declared a local state of emergency this morning.

Hansohn’s declaration allows county Emergency Services officials to open an emergency shelter for those residents without power who seek a warm place to stay.

Culpeper County Emergency Services Director Tom Williams said the emergency shelter operated by the local American Red Cross and Culpeper Human Services will open at 11 a.m. at the Salem Volunteer Fire Department on Sperryville Pike. The shelter is operating on emergency generator power.

“Most of the reported power outages in Culpeper County center in the Salem and Reva areas,” said Williams. “We wanted to offer those residents a safe and warm place to stay if they are without power.”

Officials urge people to stay off the roads, as there may be downed trees and power lines.