News Summary
In the aftermath of a severe winter storm, Hampton Roads experienced significant disruptions with widespread closures affecting schools, public services, and local businesses. Snow and ice accumulation primarily impacted the coastal areas, leading to hazardous conditions as temperatures are expected to drop. Many public schools have opted for remote learning days while municipal facilities remain closed. The storm’s effects have also prompted adjustments to public transit and postal services, highlighting the community’s efforts to prioritize safety during these challenging conditions.
Hampton Roads faced significant disruptions following a winter storm that blanketed the region in snow and ice, with many local public services, schools, and businesses closing or altering their operations in response. The storm primarily affected Hampton Roads and Northeast North Carolina, with coastal areas, particularly Elizabeth City and the Outer Banks, registering the highest snow accumulations.
The snow has led to dangerous conditions as melted snow is expected to refreeze, creating icy surfaces. Furthermore, the region is bracing for dangerously cold temperatures, with wind chills anticipated to plummet into the single digits.
Public schools throughout the area are closed, with many districts opting to transition to remote learning days for students. Assignments will be distributed via platforms such as Google Classroom, and all in-person classes are canceled for the week, with plans for a modified schedule to resume shortly. After-school programs and evening activities have also been suspended across various school systems, reflecting the community’s cautious response to ongoing weather concerns.
Municipal facilities in cities including Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Poquoson, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Virginia Beach, Williamsburg, and York County are closed to the public. This includes city offices that will remain shuttered as a precaution. The City of Chesapeake and James City County also declared closures for Sunday and Monday.
The storm has impacted public services as well, with numerous changes to trash collection services across localities, likely leading to delays. Hampton Roads Transit will operate on a Saturday schedule on Monday to accommodate transit needs but will stop services early on the night the storm hit. Conversely, ferry services will return to a regular weekday schedule following seasonal adjustments.
Postal services have also been affected; most post offices will be closed, leading to a halt in regular mail delivery. The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) customer service centers are similarly impacted, with closures planned for Monday.
Local businesses reacted to the storm with a mix of closures and limited hours. Notably, the Icing store at Greenbrier Mall in Chesapeake is the only local store closing due to the storm, while other Claire’s locations have chosen to remain open. Major attractions, including the Virginia Zoo and Norfolk Botanical Garden, have also closed their doors for visitor safety.
In the wake of the storm, several universities, such as Old Dominion University and William & Mary, have decided to delay openings and cancel classes for an entire day, further affecting the community’s educational landscape.
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has mobilized crews to clear roads, focusing firstly on primary routes before navigating to secondary roads and subdivisions. While these efforts are underway, emergency services and military operations continue as essential personnel are expected to report for duty as scheduled.
In light of these changes, many community events and activities scheduled for the coming week have been postponed or canceled altogether, further emphasizing the widespread impact of the winter storm. City parks and recreational facilities are closed to ensure public safety during these challenging weather conditions.
As Hampton Roads assesses the aftermath of the storm, officials will continue to monitor weather forecasts and work diligently to restore normal operations as quickly as possible, prioritizing the safety and welfare of all residents.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Newport News Implements Health Services for Homeless Families This Winter
Overnight Lane Closures Scheduled for I-64 West
Long-Term Traffic Changes on I-64 Westbound Starting April 6
Additional Resources
- Pilotonline: Icing Greenbrier Mall Closing
- Pilotonline: Winter Storm Closings
- Wavy: Local School Districts Announce Closures Ahead of Snowfall
- 13 News Now: Interstate 64 Closure HRBT Norfolk
- Wikipedia: Winter Storm
Author: STAFF HERE WILLIAMSBURG WRITER
WILLIAMSBURG STAFF WRITER The WILLIAMSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREWilliamsburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Williamsburg, James City County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Williamsburg Farmers Market, Yorktown Market Days, and Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Williamsburg Chamber of Commerce and Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, plus leading businesses in education and hospitality that power the local economy such as College of William & Mary, The Williamsburg Winery, and Sodexo. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREVirginiaBeach.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Virginia's dynamic landscape.
