Winter Storm Preparedness: Richmond Family Safety Guide for 2025-2026

January 2022. Richmond got 10 inches of snow. I-95 turned into a parking lot for 27 hours. Thousands lost power for three days. Grocery stores ran out of bread and milk in 6 hours.

Richmond doesn't get hammered by winter storms often. But when we do, the city shuts down fast. Being ready matters.

Why Richmond Struggles with Snow

We average 12 inches of snow per year. Northern Virginia gets 22 inches. That difference means Richmond owns fewer plows, has fewer salt stockpiles, and residents have less experience driving in snow.

When 6 inches falls, Richmond reacts like Boston would to 18 inches. Schools close. Roads go untreated for hours. Grocery stores empty.

The February 2021 ice storm left 280,000 Dominion Energy customers without power. Some waited five days for restoration.

You can't control when storms hit. You can control whether you're ready.

The 72-Hour Rule

Plan to be self-sufficient for 72 hours. No power, no running to the store, no relying on emergency services that are overwhelmed.

Three days covers most Richmond winter events. If it goes longer, you'll have options by then. But those first 72 hours? You're on your own.

Essential Supplies: The Non-Negotiables

Medications and First Aid

Pharmacies close during storms. Even if they're open, roads might be impassable.

• Refill prescriptions before winter hits. Don't wait until you're down to three pills.
• Stock over-the-counter meds: pain relievers, cold medicine, anti-diarrheal, antihistamines.
• First aid kit with bandages, antiseptic, tweezers, medical tape.
• If someone in your family uses medical equipment (CPAP, oxygen concentrator), have a backup power plan.

What to Do When the Forecast Calls for Snow

Richmond weather forecasts are decent 48 hours out. Once snow looks likely, move fast.

48 hours before:

• Fill prescriptions
• Grocery shop (avoid the day-before rush)
• Fill your car's gas tank
• Check batteries in flashlights and radios
• Charge all phones, tablets, battery packs

24 hours before:

• Bring outdoor furniture, grills, and decorations inside (wind knocks them over)
• Locate your snow shovel (yes, you need one even in Richmond)
• Set fridge and freezer to coldest settings (stays cold longer if power fails)
• Fill bathtub with water (backup for flushing toilets if water pressure drops)

12 hours before:

• Cook meals you can eat cold later if power fails
• Run dishwasher and laundry (might not have power or water for days)
• Unplug sensitive electronics (power surges during outages damage equipment)
• Know where your circuit breaker is and how to shut off water if pipes freeze

Staying Warm Without Power

Close off rooms you're not using. Heat escapes through doorways. Hang blankets over doorways to create insulated zones.

Choose one room (preferably interior, away from exterior walls). Move everyone into that room. Body heat from four people raises room temperature 5-8°F.

Dress in layers. Cotton holds moisture and makes you colder. Wool and synthetic fabrics insulate even when damp.

Wear a hat indoors. You lose 10% of body heat through your head.

Put towels or blankets at the base of exterior doors. Cold air seeps under doors and drops room temperature fast.

Keeping Food Safe Without Refrigeration

A full freezer stays frozen for 48 hours if you don't open it. A half-full freezer: 24 hours.

Refrigerators stay cold for 4 hours without power if you keep the door closed.

After that, move perishables outside if temps are below 40°F. Put food in a cooler or cardboard box to protect it from animals.

When power returns, check food temps. Throw out anything above 40°F for more than 2 hours. It's not worth the risk.

Richmond-Specific Challenges

What to Keep in Your Car

Getting stranded on I-64 or Powhite Parkway happens. The January 2022 I-95 shutdown trapped people in their cars for 24 hours.

Car emergency kit:

• Blanket or sleeping bag
• Bottled water and non-perishable snacks
• Flashlight and batteries
• Ice scraper and snow brush
• Jumper cables
• Small shovel (fold-up models fit in trunks)
• Bag of sand or kitty litter (traction if you get stuck)
• Phone charger (car adapter)

If you get stuck, stay with your car. Run the engine 10 minutes per hour for heat. Crack a window slightly to prevent carbon monoxide buildup.

When to Evacuate vs. Shelter in Place

For most Richmond winter storms, sheltering at home is safer than trying to drive.

Shelter at home if:

• You have heat (even minimal backup heat)
• You have water and food for 72 hours
• Nobody in your household has critical medical needs requiring equipment
• Your home isn't in a flood zone

Consider evacuating to a friend or hotel if:

• You have no backup heat and temps will drop below 20°F
• Someone needs medical equipment that requires electricity
• Your home is in a flood-prone area and heavy melt is expected
• You have infants or elderly family members who can't tolerate cold

Evacuate before the storm hits. Driving during a storm is how people die.

After the Storm: Safety Hazards

More injuries happen after the storm than during it.

Common post-storm injuries:

• Heart attacks from shoveling (Richmond's biggest winter killer for adults 55+)
• Slip-and-fall on ice
• Carbon monoxide poisoning from improper generator use
• Hypothermia in homes without heat
• Electrocution from downed power lines

Assume every downed wire is live. Stay 35 feet away. Call Dominion Energy at 1-866-366-4357.

Frequently Asked Questions