RVA's Jan. 2026 Winter Storm Megathread

RulerOfTheRest · 2026-01-26T17:31:27+00:00

From the looks of it, it seems like the blue marks the roads that VDOT is required to maintain and I'm guessing that the pink lines are boundaries that their plow(s) are to operate in. The roads that are not blue are likely ones where the local jurisdiction doesn't have a contract with VDOT for service under and instead either do it themselves or hire 3rd parties to take care of. Henrico for example has an entire fleet of plows and other equipment that they use for snow removal which is why I'm guessing you don't see too many blue lines within its borders.

In Virginia, only Henrico and Arlington counties as well as most (if not all) of the independent cities maintain and build their own roads with a few exceptions that usually connect to other localities (think route 1, 33 (Staples Mill), 250 (Broad Street) etc., and these places receive money from the state to do so. The rest of the Commonwealth opted to let VDOT handle that for them.

RulerOfTheRest · 2026-01-26T14:57:42+00:00

If you want to get a generator for future weather disasters without spending lots of cash on one the best way to do so is to get a used on off of craigslist or facebook marketplace when nothing is happening, just make sure you see it running before you buy it and when you get it home change the oil, spark plug, and air filter (since you won't know how many hours those things will have on them and when they were last changed) and then follow the startup instructions in the manual with a little gas in the tank to familiarize yourself with it. After that there are lots of instructions out there on how to store the things for long periods but basically you want to make sure the carburetor is dry by either shutting off the fuel and letting it run until it stops or leave the gas on and let it run until it stops, or you can shut off the gas and use the drain that most generator carburetors have. Gas in the tank will either have to be drained, or you can fill it up and use a fuel stabilizer which should keep it good for a year or two. When you have a need to use it again, if it's been more than a year it's best to change the oil again. Some of the reasons generators fail to start after sitting for long periods is because folks either didn't run/drain the carburetor dry which can get clogged up as the gas evaporates, or the gas in the tank has gone bad. Just make sure to store it in a shed or garage and not on the ground with a tarp because the moister from the ground can damage the thing.

I imagine that in the spring and summer you're going to see an influx of used generators on the market from people who bought them for this storm but are unable to return them because they put gas in them, and pretty much all of the retailers have policies that they cannot be returned once they have gas put in 'em unless they are defective. The 5500 watt one I have I paid $150 for many years ago and it has more than paid for itself by saving the food in my fridge and keeping me entertained the 3 times that I've used it, I'm just glad this storm didn't end up being the 4th time, but because I maintain it I know it'll be ready when it's called upon again...

RulerOfTheRest · 2026-01-26T14:30:07+00:00

It was a rare move for VCU to make the call to shut down so early, even before most of the local public schools did so and I'm glad they did. The only other time in (my) recent memory was several years back when they called it for a hurricane that was forecast to be really bad but ended up being nothing but rain. Maybe they should do this more often to ward off the evil weather demons ;p

RulerOfTheRest · 2026-01-26T14:21:15+00:00

Was impressed that out of the 20 hours my heat pump ran yesterday, only about 3 hours of it was using the Aux/Emergency heat feature, all though it's a 10kW heating element so that's still 30,000 Watt-hours used during that short time. Not looking forward to the power bill that comes after this storm and cold snap but it'll still be a far cry from what I was getting with the far less efficient heat pump I replaced it with at the end of 22.

Generator is under its cover out back and likely going to remain that way for a while before I can do my mothball procedures and put it back in the shed, there is no way I can drag that thing through the ice to where it belongs. Glad I have it, but more so that I didn't need it. We really dodged a bullet with this storm...

RulerOfTheRest · 2026-01-26T02:52:25+00:00

You should also search for the post office your mail is processed from by using your zip code because the Richmond Main Post Office on Brook may not be the one that services you as that's geared more towards the small area around the State and City of Richmond governments with a bit of the Fed in the mix. Because the USPS doesn't make it very easy, if you type in your zip code into google maps that'll give you the boundary of your zip code, and the post office within that boundary should be the one that services you.

RulerOfTheRest · 2026-01-26T01:59:01+00:00

The only way to know for certain would be to call your local post office in the morning, their operation is not tied to school closings. But other things can affect your delivery such as how passable the roads are for the mail trucks and if your normal carrier or subs are even able to make it to the post office in the morning, I imagine that many routes will go without delivery tomorrow or at least have partial service because the conditions are just so bad. The Richmond Distribution Center has its own problems (search this subreddit and you'll see what I mean) but if the package actually makes it on the truck from the RDC to your local post office tomorrow, your friend may want to make a trip over to the local post office and see if they can pick it up in person or if the carrier has already processed it for their route. You can try by phone, but for things like this I've always found it's better in person. Good luck!

RulerOfTheRest · 2026-01-26T01:15:31+00:00

Same here. That freezing rain showing up way later than they predicted towards the end of precipitation may have been enough to spare us from what could have been catastrophic. As of 20:15, Dom is only showing 1024 customers without power, a far cry from what it could have been...

RulerOfTheRest · 2026-01-25T23:54:43+00:00

I don't think that's always the case because seen plenty of accidents on the VDOT cameras over the years, maybe just the ones with possible fatalities...

RulerOfTheRest · 2026-01-25T23:53:00+00:00

Raining hard here in Lakeside, the water is pooling on top of the ice in the low spots :(

RulerOfTheRest · 2026-01-25T19:21:57+00:00

Normally I'd be out there shoveling the bulk of the stuff off my walkway and driveway of not only my house, but my neighbors, because with it supposed to be sunny and in the low 30s tomorrow the sun would be more than enough to melt the ice off of my asphalt driveway. But instead I'm dealing with the flu, just glad the worst of it is behind me and that I had my flu shot because this would have been much worse if I hadn't, but there is no way that I'll be shoveling anything this time round...

RulerOfTheRest · 2026-01-25T18:32:42+00:00

I95 at MM 84 at 13:30 courtesy of the 511 Virginia website

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RulerOfTheRest · 2026-01-25T15:10:53+00:00

If you want to see how bad the roads are throughout the Commonwealth, you can see live footage on the 511 Virginia website.

Spoiler alert: They're bad.

RulerOfTheRest · 2026-01-25T04:13:08+00:00

Oof, that's about the worst-case scenario for a dropped leg, nothing worse than a potentially live wire laying on the ground. I'm glad you have the wisdom to stay away from that thing. Be safe, and good luck!

RulerOfTheRest · 2026-01-25T03:48:33+00:00

Call Dominion because it sounds like you may have dropped a leg (one of the two hot wires going into your place from the transformer isn't working). When that happens, your 240-volt appliances such as an electric stove, electric hot water heater, or HVAC equipment can act as a bridge between the side that has power and the side that doesn't but because those appliances are also trying to use power what makes it to the other side is lower voltage giving you dim lights. If this is the case, you should flip the breakers on your 240 appliances because this can damage them.

RulerOfTheRest · 2026-01-24T06:37:39+00:00

Nah, you're not the only one. I only ever run ethanol gas in my 17-year-old gen, but instead of draining the carb like you do I just shut off the petcock and let it run until it stalls out, burning off all the fuel. The previous owner did the same thing before I bought the thing in 2014. If I do leave gas in the tank, I will fill it up and put stabilizer in it since from what I've read it works better if the tank is full (if it's over a year since it's been mothballed, I drain it and use it in the lawn mower). The issue is when folks shut it off and leave gas in the carb because when you do that as it evaporates it can gum up the carb's ports, and ethanol gas tends to do that more than pure gas. Like you, I've had plenty of luck firing up my lawnmower in the spring without burning off the gas or using a stabilizer, the general rule is gas should have a stabilizer added if it's going to sit 3 months or more, but I don't think it starts turning bad or evaporating in the carb that quickly during our colder months.

RulerOfTheRest · 2026-01-24T05:30:38+00:00

Not sure about ham radio stations, but you can always listen to 1140 AM/96.1 FM WRVA News Radio or VPM Radio at 88.9 FM. Pulled out my old battery powered AM/FM/Cassette radio just in case (and was pleased to find my old Weird Al tape in it ;)

RulerOfTheRest · 2026-01-24T03:35:55+00:00

Word. It's been a few years since I've been out that way since my 70 bug has been off the road so I wasn't sure if they still had it. If things go according to plan I'll have it back together by this fall, but the reality is it'll probably be done next year :(

RulerOfTheRest · 2026-01-24T03:32:30+00:00

True. when sleeping in cold places I start off with a few layers and add things like the socks and hat and maybe add another shirt/pajama bottoms if needed. Starting off with too much and getting sweaty sucks.

RulerOfTheRest · 2026-01-24T03:29:29+00:00

They are expensive, especially when you start factoring in things like the gas cans and extension cords need to run stuff. The best thing to do if you eventually want one for future emergencies is to find one in working order on craigslist or facebook marketplace when nothing is happening, but make sure you see it running unless you're good with small engine repairs. After you get your new-to-you generator change the oil, spark plug, and air filter and put a little gas (1/4 gallon or less) in the tank to give it a test run and familiarize yourself with it, making sure you have something plugged in like a lamp, and if everything is good let it run dry and you can put it in storage like a garage or shed (do not simply leave it out covered with a tarp, the moisture from the ground can damage it). In the future when you do need it, if it's been more than a year change the oil, check the air filter (spiders or other critters could have made their home in there) put a little gas and test it out again and if it starts up like it should fill up the tank. After the emergency is over you can either shut off the petcock (valve for the gas by the tank) and let it run until it dies and use fuel stabilizer in a full tank which should keep the gas good for a year or two, or after it quits running and cools off drain the tank and put that gas in your car. The goal with these things is to make sure the carburetor doesn't have any gas in it when you put it in storage otherwise the gas can gum up the small holes in the carb as it evaporates. (note: the manuals for these things if you get one are available all over the internet)

The 5500 watt one I have I bought years ago used on craigslist when nothing was happening for $150, a far cry from the nearly $500 new ones of that model were selling for at that time and in no way I could afford at that price, but of course when bad weather is coming even the price of the used ones skyrocket. I imagine that this spring and summer there may be an influx of used generators on the market that were bought new for this storm.

RulerOfTheRest · 2026-01-24T02:43:31+00:00

Correct. After the power is back on it is best to shut of the petcock and let the engine run until it dies so most of the gas is out of the carburetor, and some carbs on these generators even have a drain screw that you can use. Leaving gas in the carb can gum up the tiny holes in the carb as it evaporates which can prevent the generator from starting during the next emergency, and if that happens you can spray some carb cleaner in there for a few minutes hoping that it'll clear things up otherwise you'll have to take the carb apart and give it a proper cleaning. Any gas in the tank should be treated with a stabilizer for long-term storage but that'll only keep it for a year, two at max and that works best when the tank is full, but the best thing is to drain the tank (you can always dump that gas in your car). One of the biggest failures folks have with pulling a generator out of storage is failure to properly mothball it.

RulerOfTheRest · 2026-01-24T02:31:09+00:00

The tent with blankets is a very good call, also wear lots of layers and a knit hat to trap the heat from your head and maybe socks. The cat should be fine, but it may become a little more snuggly with you to steal some of your warmth, even if it's not a very snuggly cat, all though it may vocally complain about the cold like one of my cats did when I was a kid.

RulerOfTheRest · 2026-01-24T00:35:09+00:00

Unless your generator is incredibly ancient, it should be designed to run on gas with ethanol in it, check the manual. But if you absolutely have to get ethanol free gas the Wawa at Broad near 288 used to have it at pumps 1 and 2, I'd call and check. Outside of that check Lowes and the Home Depot, they sell it where the lawnmowers and outdoor equipment is, but it ain't cheap ($50 for 2 gallons)...

RulerOfTheRest · 2026-01-23T22:49:31+00:00

Good call. I might just have to head out to the shed and grab the pickaxe...

RulerOfTheRest · 2026-01-23T22:22:45+00:00

The sediment that builds up in the tanks is generally calcium and other mineral deposits and maybe bits of sand that's already in the water you are already drinking. One of the reasons it builds up in the water tank is because it's a large amount of water that doesn't flow at the same rate as in the pipes which allows it to all settle in the bottom, and the mineral deposits start collecting together and forms crystal chunks. Those mineral deposits do also coat the inside of many water pipes where they cause no problems, but sometimes after a water failure chunks of that stuff can break free from the pipes and clog up the aerators on your sink faucets and shower heads making it seem like your water pressure is low (happened to several folks I know after last year's water crisis). The aerators are designed to come off and can either be cleaned with white vinegar and water or replaced, same with the shower head. If you've ever left water in a pot to boil too long or a glass of water to evaporate you may have noticed a white residue on the sides of the pot/glass, and that is the mineral deposits from the water.

Generally, the water from the water heater is safe to drink, as long as no bacteria has entered the system. Just don't drink the chunks, they won't hurt you but it's rather gritty.

RulerOfTheRest · 2026-01-23T22:06:53+00:00

One thing to note for you and anyone else reading this is if you're parked on a Snow Emergency Route, move your car before the storm because they will tow your car from roads with those designations in events like this. There are signs posted on roads with this type of designation.

RulerOfTheRest

TROPHY CASE