As winter weather moved through Lexington and Rockbridge County during the final week of January, local and state officials prepared days in advance to manage sleet, snow and freezing temperatures that impacted roads, schools and daily travel.
Coordination between state and local agencies begins well before the winter weather, according to Susan Hammond, residency administrator for the Virginia Department of Transportation’s Lexington residency.
Prior to major winter storms, VDOT hosts virtual meetings with localities to review forecasts, address potential concerns and outline response plans.
“VDOT has a Teams meeting that is open to localities,” Hammond said. “We discuss the weather forecast, what our planned response is and discuss any unique features of the upcoming storm.”
During these meetings, local governments, including those of Lexington and Rockbridge County, share staffing plans and identify how equipment and materials will be used.
The Virginia Department of Emergency Management conducts similar coordination calls, allowing localities to evaluate the storm and discuss community needs. Once the winter weather begins, Hammond said localities typically operate independently unless an emergency situation arises.
The uncertainty of forecasts is another challenge officials plan for. Hammond said that snow removal crews monitor many weather models and look for patterns of consistency before finalizing response plans. Crews often report several hours before snowfall begins to ensure that equipment is ready.
The geography of Rockbridge County adds an additional layer of complexity to snow removal. Sharp differences in elevation across the county can lead to varying amounts of precipitation, even across short distances.
These differences affect how workers are dispersed and how equipment is shared. Hammond said areas with higher elevation and increased snowfall get more equipment.
During this particular snowstorm, a mix of snow, freezing rain and sleet presented increased challenges. Hammond said that the sleet contributed to creating the thick, icy conditions that were so difficult for the town to remove.
Additionally, temperatures were well below freezing for days following the storm, reducing the effectiveness of salt treatments.
“Once temperatures rose into the 20s and the sunlight warmed the pavements, we were able to remove the snow and ice much more effectively,” Hammond said.
The heavy accumulation of snow required specialized equipment that caused the cleanup process to take longer in some areas. Crews also had to consider the possibility of additional winter weather after the first storm. They pushed the fallen snow farther back to make room for future snowfall.
After major storms, Hammond said VDOT conducts after-action reviews to evaluate response efforts and identify areas for improvement.
“It can be annoying to have sidewalks covered in snow and ice when trying to walk downtown or around campus,” said Lydia Kendall, ’29. “Overall, being such a small town, I think the city does a decent job.”
School closures reflected the scale of the cleanup effort, said Nathan Ramsey, Rockbridge County’s fire-rescue chief. Rockbridge County Public Schools closed for an entire week after the storm.
Ramsey said Rockbridge County spans approximately 600 square miles and includes many different types of roadways that must be cleared before school buses can operate safely.
He said coordination efforts extend beyond road conditions. Ramsey joins conference calls with state and local partners addressing staffing, shelter, warming conditions and other logistical needs throughout Lexington and the county.
“In addition to clearing bus routes, all school parking lots and sidewalks must also be cleared,” Ramsey said.
Officials said that the extended periods of freezing temperatures are unusual for the region. Most winters, snowfall has been followed by warmer temperatures that have allowed the roads to clear much faster, Hammond said.
