The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Norfolk District has activated its Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and emergency management personnel to support the Commonwealth of Virginia and partner agencies in response to Winter Storm Fern, which continues to impact the region with snow, ice, and dangerously cold temperatures.
The activation enables the district to rapidly respond to requests for engineering, infrastructure, and emergency power support from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), following the Governor’s declaration of a State of Emergency and in coordination with state and federal partners.
"Our communities throughout the country are experiencing major hardship from Winter Storm Fern and many Americans are unfortunately without power. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are supporting each state’s efforts to get all critical infrastructure back online as fast as possible, and the Corps won’t stop working for our communities until the job is complete,” says Adam Telle, Assistant Secretary of the Army Civil Works.
Earlier this year, USACE coordinated with VDEM Region 4 leadership—along with representatives from the 249th Engineer Battalion—to plan and conduct a power assessment exercise and training event focused on the region’s highest-priority critical facilities. The 249th Engineer Battalion’s Bravo Company deployed a 19-soldier team that successfully completed power assessments at nearly 30 critical facilities, including hospitals, public safety answering points (PSAPs), water treatment plants, and more. If generator installations are requested by the Commonwealth, these “blue sky” assessments are expected to significantly reduce installation timelines by providing critical site information in advance.
USACE Norfolk District leaned forward ahead of the storm by pre-staging personnel and equipment. Positioning the team alongside FEMA’s staged generators before extreme weather and potential travel disruptions ensures readiness to install generators at the Commonwealth’s request, said Robert Angrisani, emergency manager, USACE Norfolk District.
Winter Storm Fern continues to produce heavy snow, dangerous icing, and bitter cold across much of the region, with impacts expected to persist into next week. Utilities and transportation agencies are postured for restoration and debris operations as conditions allow.
“The situation remains dynamic,” said Gregg Williams, deputy chief, Water Resources Division. “We continue to coordinate closely with FEMA, VDEM, and our federal, state, and local partners to ensure resources are positioned where they are needed most.”
USACE conducts emergency response operations under Public Law 84-99 for Flood Control and Coastal Emergencies and, when mission-assigned, under the Stafford Disaster and Emergency Assistance Act. In all disasters, USACE priorities are to support immediate life-saving actions, sustain lives through critical services such as temporary emergency power, and assist in the assessment and restoration of essential infrastructure.
“Our top priority will always remain the life, health, and safety of all those affected by this winter storm,” said Col. Sonny Avichal, Commander, USACE Norfolk District “We activated ahead of the storm and will remain engaged throughout the event and into recovery to assist our federal, state, and local partners.”
Residents are encouraged to follow guidance from local and state emergency management officials and to have personal emergency plans ready should conditions worsen.